The Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG) has condemned Dr. Muhammad Yunus for allowing the banned militant group Ansarullah Bangla Team, the Bangladesh Army, and the judiciary to target religious minorities in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, RRAG Director Suhas Chakma said that on October 23, several Islamist groups, backed by the administration, held coordinated demonstrations across Bangladesh calling for a nationwide ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
During one protest in Dhaka, students allegedly shouted inflammatory slogans, accusing ISKCON members of acting as โIndian agentsโ and demanding their detention and expulsion. They also vowed to slaughter ISKCON followers.
The Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh also issued a statement repeating the allegations and urging a ban on ISKCON.
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Similar demonstrations were held at the Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University.
โDisturbingly, Jasimuddin Rahmani, the former leader of the al-Qaedaโlinked Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), convicted for his role in the murder of blogger Rajib Haider and other terrorism-related offences, was seen participating in the Baitul Mukarram protest. Rahmaniโs re-emergence in extremist rallies underscores the support of Yunusโ government for radical Islamist elements,โ Chakma said.
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RRAG further alleged that on October 24, the Bangladesh Army attempted to forcibly occupy land belonging to the Arjya Kirti Buddhist temple in Bormachari, Khagrachhari district, to set up a temporary military camp.
This incident followed the killing of three youths by the army on September 28 during a protest demanding the arrest of three Muslim settlers accused of gang-raping a 14-year-old girl.
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According to Chakma, such incidents reflect growing impunity surrounding sexual violence against indigenous girls, citing earlier cases including the gang-rape and murder of Chingma Khiyang, 29, in Thanchi, Bandarban, and the assault of a Tripuri Hindu schoolgirl in Khagrachhari.
โReligious minorities have been facing systemic discrimination across the country. On October 21, the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET) suspended student Sreesanth Roy for allegedly hurting religious sentiments through his Reddit posts, and a day later, he was sent to jail under the Cyber Security Ordinance, 2025. This shows the growing weaponisation of the justice system against minorities,โ Chakma added.
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