BH: It’s been a nightmare. When the protests against Sheikh Hasina started, there was a lot of uncertainty. We didn’t know what would happen next, but we feared the worst. After her resignation, the violence against Hindus escalated rapidly. The new regime has come and we are yet to see what will happen next.
TJD: Can you describe the kind of violence that you and your community faced?
BH: The violence was brutal and widespread. Mobs would descend on Hindu neighbourhoods, armed with weapons and fuelled by hatred. Homes were burned, temples were desecrated, and people were beaten or killed. My own family was targeted. They came at night, smashing through our doors, demanding that we leave.
I’ll never forget that night. The mob forced their way into our home, and we were helpless to stop them. We could hear the cries of others, our neighbors, our friends—being subjected to the same horror. The violence was relentless, and it was clear that no one was coming to save us.
TJD: How did you survive, and what was the situation like in the days following the violence?
BH: The authorities were overwhelmed and largely unresponsive. They offered us no real help. We were forced to hide. But even then, we lived in constant fear, knowing that the mobs could return at any moment. The days were filled with terror, and the nights were sleepless. There was no food, no water, and no hope. The situation was dire, and we were left to fend for ourselves.
TJD: What happened to the Hindu community in your area after the initial wave of violence?
BH: Many families have fled to Indian border, seeking asylum. Those who stayed behind are forced into hiding. Our community was shattered, and the bonds that held us together were broken. The temples were destroyed, and the cultural fabric of our lives was torn apart. It’s hard to describe the loss we felt—not just of our homes, but of our identity, our faith, and our sense of belonging.
TJD: How are you and others in your community coping with the situation now?
BH: We’re struggling to survive. The international community has been slow to respond. We’ve formed support networks among ourselves, but the resources are scarce. We rely on each other for food, shelter, and emotional support, but the trauma is deep. Many are still living in hiding. The uncertainty is paralyzing. We don’t know what the future holds.
TJD: What do you hope for in the coming months? Is there anything that can be done to improve your situation?
BH: We hope for protection. We need the international community to intervene, to put pressure on the Bangladeshi government to protect its minorities. We also need the media to shine a light on what’s happening here. Bangladesh is our home. We should not have to leave our home. We want to return to our homes, to rebuild our lives and to practice our faith without fear.
TJD: Your courage in the face of such adversity is remarkable. What message would you like to share with the world about your experience?
BH: My message is simple: do not forget us. The world needs to know that religious persecution is still a reality for many people. We are not just statistics; we are human beings. Our suffering should not be ignored.
TJD: Thank you for sharing your story with us. We hope that by telling your story, we can help raise awareness and bring about the change that is so desperately needed.
BH: Thank you for giving me a platform to speak. I just hope that my words can make a difference.
