Hindu musician's home set ablaze amid Bangladesh political unrest
The residence of renowned Hindu musician Rahul Ananda was looted and torched by an irate mob in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This incident transpired on Monday afternoon in the Dhanmondi 32 area of Dhaka, following the collapse of Sheikh Hasina's government. Ananda, along with his wife and son, managed to escape without injuries but their property was devastated, including Ananda's collection of over 3,000 handmade musical instruments.
Mob ransacks Ananda's residence, destroys valuable possessions
A close family source told a Bangladeshi news portal that the mob first shattered the gate before ransacking Ananda's home. "They took everything from furniture and mirrors to valuables. After that, they torched the whole house along with Rahul da's musical instruments," the source revealed. Ananda is a well-known musician, lyricist, and singer who leads a popular folk band in Dhaka named Joler Gaan.
Rising violence against minorities amid political turmoil
The assault on Ananda's residence is part of a larger pattern of escalating violence against minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh following the ousting of Prime Minister Hasina. Mass protests over a controversial job quota in government services led to her downfall. News agency AFP reports that several houses, businesses, and religious sites have been vandalized and set ablaze by violent protesters recently.
Hindu American Foundation urges protection for religious minorities
The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has reported incidents of Hindu temples being ransacked and burned across Bangladesh. HAF Director of Policy Research, Anita Joshi, stated: "The Bangladesh military is reportedly forming an interim government, and so we urge local law enforcement and military leadership to ensure the safety of all Bangladesh's religious minorities." The plea comes amid increasing attacks on private residences, religious sites, and public buildings.
Public buildings and Prime Minister's residence targeted
In addition to private residences and religious sites, public buildings have also been targeted. The Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka's Dhanmondi area was set ablaze during the violent protests. A video sourced from Reuters showed the charred exterior of the building and debris covering the ground. The violence extended to the Prime Minister's residence, which was overrun and ransacked by protesters shortly after Hasina fled the nation.
International concern over status of minorities in Bangladesh
Foreign Minister S Jaishankar stated on Tuesday that New Delhi is "monitoring the situation with regard to the status of minorities." He added, "We are deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored." As Bangladesh grapples with the unrest, a new interim government is believed to be forming, advised by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This follows the release from jail of former PM Khaleda Zia, who was convicted of corruption.
