645 incidents against minorities, 71 communal

The interim government yesterday said 645 incidents involving members of minority communities occurred between January and December last year, and that only 71 of those were communal in nature.

The 71 incidents include 38 instances of temple vandalism, one temple theft, eight temple arsons, one murder, and 23 other types of incidents like threats to break idols, inflammatory Facebook posts, and damage to worship pavilions.

In connection with these 71 incidents, 50 cases have been filed so far, and at least 50 persons have been arrested, the Chief Adviser’s Office said in a Facebook post, citing official police records.

The 574 other incidents deemed non-communal in the post include 51 neighbourhood disputes, 23 land-related disputes, 106 thefts, 26 prior enmities, 172 unnatural deaths, 58 rapes, and 138 other incidents like abduction, extortion and intimidation.

At least 544 cases, including 154 related to unnatural deaths, were filed, and 498 persons were arrested in the incidents, it added.

According to the statement, Bangladesh remains committed to confronting crimes with transparency, accuracy, and resolve.

A yearlong review of official police records for January to December 2025 documented 645 incidents involving members of minority communities, compiled from verified first information reports, general diaries, charge sheets, and investigation updates nationwide.

“While every incident is a matter of concern, the data presents a clear and evidence-based picture: the overwhelming majority of cases were criminal in nature rather than communal, underscoring the complexity of law and order challenges and the importance of grounding public discussion in facts rather than fear or misinformation.”

The further mentioned communal incidents primarily involved vandalism or desecration of religious sites and idols, along with a small number of other offences. In contrast, the majority of incidents affecting minority individuals or properties arose from criminal activity unrelated to religion, including neighbourhood disputes, land conflicts, political rivalries, theft, sexual violence, and cases linked to prior personal enmity.

“This distinction is important. While all crimes are serious and demand accountability, the data demonstrates that most incidents involving minority victims were not driven by communal hostility but by broader criminal and social factors that affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines.”

“Accurate classification helps prevent misinformation and supports more effective law-enforcement responses,” it added.

The report also documents significant police engagement. Hundreds of cases were formally registered, arrests were made in many incidents, and investigations are ongoing in others. 

This reflects an institutional commitment to addressing crime and maintaining public order, particularly in sensitive cases involving religious sites or communal concerns, it added.

At the national level, Bangladesh continues to face serious law-and-order challenges. Each year, an estimated 3,000-3,500 people lose their lives to violent crime nationwide.

“This is not a number to be proud of. Every life lost is a tragedy, and no society should be complacent in the face of such statistics. At the same time, these figures must be understood in context. Violent crime affects all communities, cutting across religion, ethnicity, and geography,” the statement said.

Importantly, available indicators show that law and order in Bangladesh is improving steadily. Enhanced policing, better intelligence coordination, faster response times, and increased accountability have contributed to gradual but meaningful progress. The government and law-enforcement agencies remain committed to reducing crime further and ensuring equal protection under the law, it added.

“Bangladesh is a country of Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and people of other beliefs, all of whom are citizens with equal rights. Ensuring safety and justice for every community is not only a constitutional obligation but a moral one. Protecting places of worship, preventing incitement, responding quickly to criminal acts, and distinguishing facts from rumour are essential to preserving social harmony,” the statement said.