Archive · 31 Aug 2026
Activists Urge India Action Over Alleged Hindu Persecution
Human-rights groups say Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh are facing serious attacks.
They presented figures about deaths, damaged religious sites, land seizures and attacks on homes and businesses.
The groups said 66 minority members were killed in 2025.
They also reported 44 deaths in 40 incidents during the first half of 2026.
Activists asked India to speak to Bangladesh urgently.
They also want four minority-rights advocates to be released or given medical care.
The activists say the cases against these people may be politically motivated.
India has been asked to raise the issue with Bangladesh and international human-rights organisations.
Rights groups urged India to take diplomatic action over alleged escalating persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
The groups reported that 66 religious-minority members were killed in 2025 and 44 more in 40 incidents during the first half of 2026.
Activists called for the release or medical access of Shahriar Kabir, Abul Barkat, Rana Dasgupta and Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.
They described the cases against the four rights figures as politically motivated and disputed some of the allegations against them.
The organisations asked India to summon Bangladesh’s High Commissioner, issue a diplomatic note and involve international human-rights bodies.
- Who
- Representatives of the Campaign Against Atrocities on Minorities in Bangladesh, the All-India Refugee Front, Secular Mission and Human Rights Beyond Frontiers Foundation, along with activists including Mohit Ray, Sujit Shikdar, Osman Mallik and Shantanu Singha.
- What
- The groups urged India to intervene diplomatically over alleged persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and called for action in four rights advocates’ cases.
- When
- The appeal was made on Monday; the groups cited incidents since August 2024, including killings reported in 2025 and the first half of 2026.
- Where
- At a press conference at the Kolkata Press Club, concerning alleged incidents and legal cases in Bangladesh.
- Why
- The activists said minority attacks were escalating and that four rights figures were facing politically motivated cases or being denied necessary medical care.
Activists and rights organisations
Bangladesh authorities’ legal position
Treatment of minorities
Activists and rights organisations
The organisations say Hindus and other religious minorities face escalating persecution, including killings, vandalism, land seizures and attacks on property.
Bangladesh authorities’ legal position
The article does not provide a response from Bangladesh authorities to these allegations.
Cases against rights advocates
Activists and rights organisations
The activists describe the cases against Shahriar Kabir, Abul Barkat, Rana Dasgupta and Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari as politically motivated or legally unfounded, and seek release or medical access.
Bangladesh authorities’ legal position
The article reports that the four face legal actions or restrictions but does not include the authorities’ explanations or evidence supporting the cases.
India’s response
Activists and rights organisations
The groups say New Delhi should take urgent diplomatic action and warn that inaction would damage India’s global standing.
Bangladesh authorities’ legal position
No Indian government response is provided in the article.
- Reported minority deaths in 2025
- 66, according to figures presented by the activist groups.
- Reported deaths in early 2026
- 44 minority-community members in 40 incidents during the first half of 2026, according to organisers.
- Reported types of attacks
- Vandalism of temples, land seizures, and attacks on homes and businesses.
- Shahriar Kabir
- The groups said the 76-year-old journalist and filmmaker has been imprisoned since September 2024 and faces a murder charge before the International Crimes Tribunal.
- Abul Barkat
- The groups said the 72-year-old economist was arrested in July 2025, granted bail in June, and still faces multiple pending cases.
- Rana Dasgupta
- The groups said the 77-year-old lawyer has prostate cancer and has been unable to appear publicly for nearly two years, limiting access to treatment.
- Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari
- The monk was arrested in November 2024 and accused in a Chattogram lawyer’s murder; organisers said court evidence placed him in custody at the time.
- Requested Indian actions
- Summon Bangladesh’s High Commissioner, issue a formal diplomatic note, contact international human-rights bodies and forward the appeal to Narendra Modi.