Attacks on Hindus: A Threat to Identity
Analyzing Kinds of Attacks on Hindus
Background: Understanding the Context of Hindu Persecution
The persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and India is a complex issue with historical, social, and political roots. Here are some key factors that contribute to this crisis:
- Historical Displacement: The partition of India in 1947 and the creation of Bangladesh in 1971 led to the displacement of many Hindus, who were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge elsewhere.
- Social and Cultural Tensions: Bangladesh and India are both home to diverse populations with complex social and cultural dynamics. Hindus have often been targeted for their faith, culture, and economic resources.
- Political Instability: The political landscape of Bangladesh and India has played a significant role in the persecution of Hindus. Inconsistent policies and inadequate protection have left Hindus feeling vulnerable.
- Economic Factors: Economic competition and resentment have also contributed to communal tensions, with Hindus being targeted for their economic success.
Understanding these factors is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate the attacks on Hindus and ensure their safety and dignity.
Expert Insights: Ambedkar on Hindu-Muslim Relations
B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent Indian scholar and politician, wrote extensively on Hindu-Muslim relations and the potential for separate nations.
In his book “Pakistan or The Partition of India” (1940), Ambedkar noted:
“The Hindus and Muslims are not two religious communities, but two separate nations.” (Chapter 12)
He further observed:
“The Muslim demand for Pakistan is based on the feeling of being a separate nation, and this feeling is not unnatural.” (Chapter 12)
Ambedkar also highlighted the challenges of Hindu-Muslim coexistence:
“It is a notorious fact that the Muslims do not regard the Hindus as their kith and kin.” (Chapter 12)
Ambedkar’s observations underscore the deep-seated differences between Hindus and Muslims, which continue to shape the complex dynamics of their relationship. His insights remain relevant today, serving as a reminder of the need for ongoing dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation.
Details of Attacks
The following incidents highlight the repeated disruptions to Hindu festivals in India since 2015:
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- 2015: Durga Puja Disruption, Gaya, Bihar – Muslims allegedly pelted stones at a Durga Puja procession passing through the Jama Masjid area, injuring participants and police officials. This was part of a broader pattern of unrest during the festival, noted in various regional contexts over the decade. More details on regional web reports from 2019.
- Dussehra, Bihar, October 2017 – A Dussehra procession was disrupted by violent clashes in the town of Munger, where groups reportedly threw stones at each other, causing injuries and damage.
- 2018: Ram Navami Procession Attack, Asansol, West Bengal – A Muslim mob attacked a Ram Navami procession with stones, brickbats, and bombs, resulting in one death and multiple injuries. The procession reportedly aggravated local tensions by passing through a Muslim-dominated area. Coverage by Weekly Blitz.
- 2019: Durga Puja Attacks, Multiple States – Reported attacks on Hindus durng Durga Puja celebrations occurred across Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and West Bengal. Notable was the stone-pelting near Jama Masjid in Gaya, Bihar, and communal pressures in West Bengal’s Birbhum district, where Muslim families pressured Hindu families to halt celebrations. Coverage by Weekly Blitz.
- Muharram and Ganesh Chaturthi, Ujjain, August 2020 – Clashes broke out during overlapping processions for Muharram and Ganesh Chaturthi, leading to communal tension and injuries in the region.
- 2021: Durga Puja Procession Obstruction, Kanglapahari, West Bengal – Muslim groups objected to a Hindu festival procession, influencing the local panchayat and police to bar the event, citing communal tensions. This reflected the minority Muslim population’s pressure in a Hindu-dominated area. Coverage by Weekly Blitz.
- Saraswati Puja, Bihar, January 2022 – During the Saraswati Puja procession in the town of Sitamarhi, clashes occurred involving stone-pelting that resulted in injuries to several people.
- Ram Navami, Jharkhand, April 10, 2022 – A procession in Lohardaga district came under attack with stone-pelting and arson, injuring more than 16 people, with three in critical condition.
- Ram Navami, Madhya Pradesh, April 10, 2022 – Multiple incidents in the state included a procession in Talab Chowk area being attacked with stones, and vehicles being set on fire.
- Ram Navami, West Bengal, April 10, 2022 – A procession in Howrah was attacked by local Muslims, resulting in several injuries due to stone-pelting.
- Hanuman Jayanti, Delhi, April 16, 2022 – A procession in Jahangirpuri, Delhi was attacked with stone-pelting from rooftops, leading to injuries to police and civilians, with one sub-inspector shot.
- Hanuman Jayanti, Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, April 16, 2022 – A procession was attacked with stones thrown by individuals from a local mosque during an Iftar meal, injuring 15 people.
- Hanuman Jayanti, Roorkee, Uttarakhand, April 16, 2022 – A Muslim mob attacked a procession, pelting stones and firing at participants, resulting in injuries to over 10 people, including police personnel.
- Mahashivratri, Chhindwara, Madhya Pradesh, February 18, 2023 – During a Mahashivratri procession, Islamists halted the procession and pelted stones at the participants when they refused to stop playing DJ music.
- Holi, Jamia Millia Islamia University, March 1, 2023 – Muslim students created disturbances over Holi celebrations on campus, leading to threats and intimidation.
- Hindu procession, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, March 28, 2023 – A Hindu religious procession was attacked with stones as it passed a mosque, leading to significant vandalism and injuries.
- Holi, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, March 5, 2023 – A group of Muslim boys attacked Hindu youths during Holi celebrations, leading to a clash involving stone and bottle throwing.
- Holi, Pakistan, March 6, 2023 – Hindu students celebrating Holi at Punjab University were attacked by members of a radical Islamic student organization, resulting in injuries.
- Holi, Medak, Telangana, March 8, 2023 – A Hindu man was set on fire by a Muslim individual after a confrontation during Holi celebrations.
- Holi, Unnao, Uttar Pradesh, March 8, 2023 – A Muslim woman threw brooms and stones at Hindus celebrating Holi, escalating to a police intervention.
- Ram Navami, Howrah, West Bengal, March 30, 2023 – A Ram Navami procession was attacked with stones, resulting in clashes and damage to vehicles and shops.
- March 2023: Ram Navami Violence, Multiple States – Communal violence was reported during Ram Navami across Bihar, West Bengal, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar Sharif, a mob vandalized and set fire to a madrasa and its library in response to Hindu processions, leading to at least two deaths nationwide. Discussion noted on social media platforms.
- On 31 July, 2023, Nuh, Haryana: The page on HinduInfoPedia discusses the series of riots or terror attacks on Hindus in Haryana on 31 July, 2023, detailing the incidents’ impacts on local communities and the broader implications for regional security. The content delves into the causes, the response from law enforcement, and the aftermath of these events. For a detailed account of these occurrences, you can read more directly on HinduInfoPedia.
- Ganesh Festival, Delhi, September 16, 2024 – Attacks on Hindus occurred as the devotees were returning from Ganesh Visarjan in Delhi’s Trilokpuri area, resulting in injuries to participants. Further details on the incident can be found on OpIndia.
- Durga Puja, October 2024 – There were multiple incidents across India and Bangladesh where Durga Puja celebrations were targeted, including idol vandalism, desecration, and physical attacks on pandals and devotees. Specific violent acts included petrol bomb attacks on Hindus and stabbing of volunteers at pandals. More information on these attacks is available on OpIndia.
- Mahakumbh, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, January 12, 2025 – Pilgrims on the Tapti-Ganga Express en route to Mahakumbh were attacked with stones, highlighting a troubling pattern of violence against Hindu pilgrims and religious gatherings.
- Maha Shivratri, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, February 27, 2025 – During Maha Shivratri, Hindu truck drivers organizing a ‘Bhandara’ in Bilaspur were attacked by a group identified as “Khans,” resulting in serious injuries. The attackers disrupted the community feast, which led to significant violence. More information on The Jaipur Dialogues.
- Maha Shivratri, Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, February 27, 2025 – Clashes erupted in Hazaribagh over the installation of loudspeakers and religious flags for Maha Shivratri, escalating to stone-pelting, arson, and numerous injuries. The conflict started with a dispute over loudspeakers and quickly turned violent, involving community-wide clashes. Details available on The Jaipur Dialogues.
Bangladesh witnessed a surge in anti-Hindu violence post-2024, particularly during Durga Puja, with incidents including petrol bombs in Dhaka’s Tantibazar, idol vandalism in Rajbari, Barisal, and other forms of intimidation.
Analysis
The Left Front’s 1979 brutality finds kin in today’s impunity—state or societal, the result is the same: Hindu havens lost. In India, attacks on Hindus cluster during the festivals—Ram Navami, Holi, Durga Puja—often in Muslim-majority areas, suggesting targeted disruption. Stone-pelting, arson, and intimidation recur, from Gaya’s 2015 Jama Masjid clash to Jahangirpuri’s 2022 rooftop assaults, reflecting a boldness unchecked by law. Bangladesh’s 2024 surge mirrors this, intensified by Hasina’s fall—over 2,000 incidents in weeks signal a collapse of order, with mobs exploiting the void (Bangladesh Hindu Rights Abuse: A Sky of Hope Lost Part-V). The Left Front’s 1979 brutality finds kin in today’s impunity—state or societal, the result is the same: Hindu havens lost. In most incidents, there were indications of premeditation and planning, rather than spontaneous outbursts of violence.
Tolerance, a Hindu hallmark (Bangladesh Hindu Persecution: Cost of Tolerance and Unity Call Part VI), becomes a liability—Marichjhapi’s refugees endured until crushed; today’s devotees face similar fates. India’s majority status offers little shield when local dynamics shift, while Bangladesh’s Hindus, a dwindling minority, lack even that. Notably, the Prime Minister of India has gone on record stating that “minorities have the first right to India’s resources,” underscoring the government’s commitment to their welfare. Kumirmari’s memorial ties these threads—1979’s silence persists in 2025’s apathy, a haven lost across time and borders.
A Call to Action: Moving Beyond Tolerance
The Marichjhapi massacre and ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and India underscore the need for a strategic shift from passive tolerance to proactive unity and action. To address this crisis, we propose the following solutions:
- Legislative Protections: Inspired by Israel’s Law of Return, Hindus should advocate for similar protective laws that provide a safe haven for persecuted Hindus worldwide.
- Transcending Caste Boundaries: Erase caste lines and forge a shared Hindu identity to unite against persecution.
- Informed Decision-Making: Educate communities on policies and leaders, prioritizing survival over sentiment.
- Issue-Based Advocacy: Rally around economic growth, education, and safety, pressuring governments to protect Hindu communities.
- Grassroots Mobilization: Establish local networks and community groups to amplify the Hindu voice and deter aggression.
- Backing Unity Leaders: Support leaders who bridge divides and foster inclusivity.
By implementing these solutions, Hindus can move beyond tolerance and build a stronger, more united front against persecution.
Reflection on A Call to Action
The persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and India is a pressing concern that demands attention and action. As we reflect on the historical, social, and political factors that contribute to this crisis, it becomes clear that a unified response is necessary to address the plight of Hindu communities.
Ambedkar’s insights on Hindu-Muslim relations serve as a reminder of the need for critical analysis, nuanced understanding, and informed dialogue. By engaging with these ideas and working together, we can build a more just and equitable society where Hindus can thrive without fear of persecution.
The time for passive tolerance is over. It’s time for Hindus to unite, demand justice, and assert their rights. We must recognize the value of our shared heritage and work towards a future where Hindus can live with dignity and pride. Together, we can create a brighter future for all Hindus.
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Glossary of Terms
1. Ambedkar: Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956), an Indian scholar, politician, and social reformer who played a key role in drafting the Indian Constitution.
2. Bhandara: A community feast or gathering, often organized by Hindus during festivals and celebrations.
3. Dussehra: A significant Hindu festival celebrated to mark the victory of good over evil.
4. Ganesh Chaturthi: A Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles.
5. Ganesh Visarjan: The immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idol in water, marking the end of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
6. Hanuman Jayanti: A Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Hanuman, a devotee of Lord Rama.
7. Holi: A Hindu festival of colors, celebrated to mark the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil.
8. Jama Masjid: A mosque, often used as a reference point for incidents occurring near or within Muslim-dominated areas.
9. Kith and kin: Close relatives or family members.
10. Law of Return: A Israeli law granting Jews the right to immigrate to and settle in Israel.
11. Madrasa: An Islamic school or educational institution.
12. Mahakumbh: A massive Hindu pilgrimage and festival, held every 12 years.
13. Maha Shivratri: A Hindu festival celebrating the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.
14. Marichjhapi massacre: A violent incident in 1979, in which a large number of Hindu refugees were killed in Marichjhapi, West Bengal.
15. Muharram: A Muslim mourning period, commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Hussein.
16. Pandal: A temporary structure or tent, often used to host Hindu festivals and celebrations.
17. Panchayat: A local council or governing body, often responsible for resolving disputes and maintaining law and order in rural areas.
18. Ram Navami: A Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Rama.
19. Saraswati Puja: A Hindu festival celebrating the goddess of knowledge, music, and arts, Saraswati.
20. Tapti-Ganga Express: A train service, mentioned in the context of an incident involving Hindu pilgrims.
Other references:
https://www.opindia.com/2024/10/durga-puja-attacked-multiple-incidents-india-bangladesh-compilation/
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