Anti-Hindu sentiment has surfaced sharply among sections of Gen Z in Bangladesh following widespread protests by minority communities over the desecration of an image of Lord Ram in the Muslim-majority nation.
In a viral video circulating on social media, a Bangladeshi Gen Z woman made inflammatory remarks suggesting that Hindus should not be allowed to practise their religious rituals in the country.
“If we find that Hindus are worshipping and practising their rituals in the country, then we will kick them out to India,” she said in the clip, which has since triggered outrage across social media platforms in both countries.
In another video, she warned India over its northeastern region, saying Bangladesh was “capable enough to snatch the Seven Sisters at any moment” — a remark that has deepened concern over the rising tide of anti-India sentiment among a section of Bangladeshi youth.
India-Bangladesh Relations Under Strain
Ties between the two neighbours have been under visible stress in recent months, particularly since the political upheaval triggered by the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the 2024 student-led protests.
Interim government chief Muhammad Yunus has previously stoked controversy by referencing India’s northeastern states — the Seven Sisters — in discussions on regional economic connectivity and geopolitical opportunities. His remarks drew sharp reactions from political leaders across India’s Northeast, and the latest viral video has revived those anxieties with fresh intensity.
Hindu Protests in Dhaka
Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus took to the streets of Dhaka on Friday, chanting “Jai Shri Ram” and demanding swift action over the desecration incident. Protesters gathered at the Shahbagh intersection before marching to the National Press Club, with demonstrations led by the Hindu Mahajot and other community organisations.
Participants pointed to the disrespect shown to an image of Lord Ram during a protest in Gaibandha earlier this month. Despite a case being filed, no arrests have been made — an absence of accountability that has only sharpened the anger on the streets.
Ram Statue Project Suspended
At the centre of the controversy is a religious construction project in Palashbari, Gaibandha district, where an 81-foot statue of Lord Ram is being built as part of a temple complex. The Sri Sri Radha Govinda Temple committee says nearly 80 percent of the work is complete, with the project valued at approximately 22 crore Bangladeshi taka. Plans include statues of Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva as well.
The work has now been suspended following threats from groups opposing the project. “We are scared, and out of fear, we have suspended the work,” said temple committee president Haridas Chandra Das, who has appealed to authorities for protection of the site. Threats from extremist elements to demolish the structure have further escalated an already fragile situation.
Rising Concerns Over Minority Safety
The developments have reignited serious concerns over the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh. Hindus, who constitute roughly eight percent of the country’s population, have faced a series of incidents of intimidation and violence in recent months. Around 133 cases of communal violence were recorded between January and March this year alone — a figure that has intensified the debate over minority rights and the fraying of communal harmony in the country.
