Muhammad Yunus’s Hindu outreach in Bangladesh after days of communal violence

Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh, visited the historic Dhakeshwari Temple on Tuesday.

Addressing the distressed Hindu population, Yunus urged patience before passing judgment on his interim government’s role in the ongoing crisis.

This visit by Yunus to the temple is seen as a significant outreach to the Hindu community amid ongoing communal tensions in Bangladesh.

Yunus assumed his position as chief advisor to the interim government on August 8, following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and subsequent violence targeting minorities. On Tuesday, Yunus emphasised the need for unity and equal rights for all citizens.

“We are one family. We want to build a Bangladesh that is united. There is no question of any discrimination on the basis of religion. Our only identity is that of a Bangladeshi,” Yunus stated.

His visit comes in the wake of widespread attacks on the Hindu community, including vandalism of businesses and destruction of temples. Thousands of Hindus took to the streets in Dhaka and Chattagram over the weekend, demanding protection and justice. The protesters called for special tribunals to expedite trials for crimes against minorities and sought the allocation of 10% of parliamentary seats for minority groups.

At the Dhakeshwari Temple, Yunus was accompanied by Law Adviser Asif Nazrul and Religious Affairs Adviser AFM Khalid Hossain. He interacted with leaders of the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, and other community members. The meeting was described as “cordial” by Basudeb Dhar, President of the Puja Udjapan Parishad.

Yunus acknowledged the institutional decay that has contributed to the current unrest, stating, “We have to ensure that institutional systems are functioning properly. When they do, all communities will benefit. Our first identity is that as human beings.”

He also condemned the recent attacks on minority communities as “heinous” and urged the youth to stand in solidarity with Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist citizens.

Yunus reassured the Hindu community that his government is committed to safeguarding their rights and called for unity across religious lines, stressing that “our only identity is that of a human.”