Dhaka: Amid the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh, a violent attack in Dhaka saw a mob set fire to the home of popular folk musician Rahul Ananda, targeting minorities in the country. Ananda, who is also a cultural activist and the frontman of the band ‘Joler Gaan’, managed to escape unharmed with his wife and teenage son. However, their 140-year-old house, a cultural hub, suffered extensive damage, and Ananda’s collection of over 3,000 handmade musical instruments was destroyed. The attackers also looted the property, stealing and wrecking valuable items and furniture.
According to a close family source, the attackers breached the gate, ransacked the house, and then ignited it, destroying Ananda’s musical instruments in the process.
This incident is part of a broader surge in violence against minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh following the recent ouster of the prime minister amid violent student protests over a contentious job quota system. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) reported that Hindu temples across the country have been ransacked and, in some cases, burned. While the full extent of the attacks on religious minorities remains unclear, the situation is deeply troubling.
“These attacks are heartbreaking but not surprising,” said Anita Joshi, HAF Director of Policy Research. “It is well documented that prior to the toppling of Sheikh Hasina’s government, Bangladesh’s Hindu population has faced targeting and harassment in various parts of the country for years.”
What’s Happening in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh is in turmoil following the resignation and flight of longtime Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid mass protests. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is set to lead an interim government after Hasina fled to India due to violent protests that began over a controversial quota system for government jobs but quickly evolved into broader dissent against her 15-year rule. The unrest, marked by significant violence, has left hundreds dead and pushed the nation to the brink of chaos.
Protests were fueled by accusations of human rights abuses, corruption, and rigged elections under Hasina’s administration. The government’s attempts to suppress the demonstrations with force and internet blackouts only intensified the public’s outrage. Amid the chaos, the president dissolved Parliament and ordered the release of opposition leader Khaleda Zia.
As Yunus prepares to return from Paris to head the interim government, the streets of Dhaka remain tense but calm. Concerns are growing about potential violence against minority groups, particularly Hindus, and the stability of the densely populated nation of 170 million people. With significant influence from the military, Bangladesh faces an uncertain future as it navigates this political and social crisis.
Bangladesh Singer Rahul Ananda’s Home Looted and Torched; Family Escapes Amid Violence” world-news World News | Latest International Global World News | Todays Breaking News Headlines
