FUNDAMENTALISM RISING IN DHAKA, EFFORTS TO FORM MINORITY POLITICAL PARTY STALLED

Fear of police action in wake of fake cases and physical attacks by rising fundamentalist groups has forced minority leaders in Bangladesh to slow down efforts to form a political party.

- ABHINANDAN MISHRA

This comes amid targeted attacks on minorities, mostly Hindus, following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

One of the significant organizations working in the field of minority rights, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCOP), which has so far limited itself to the role of a human rights organization, has been under intense pressure from its members and supporters to transform into a political entity.

Speaking to The Sunday Guardian, members supporting the idea of the organization's transformation into a political front, said that efforts have slowed due to a series of fake police cases filed against prominent functionaries.

These members, who requested anonymity due to fears of police action and threats from fundamentalist groups, mentioned that a decision in this matter might be made in December after assessing caretaker Prime Minister Muhammad Yunus' actions and approach to controlling fundamentalist forces and allowing space for dissenting voices.