The arrest of Fazor Ali, a local leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), for the alleged rape of a 21-year-old Hindu woman in Cumilla’s Muradnagar upazila on June 26, 2025, has ignited widespread outrage and protests across Bangladesh. This horrific incident, where Ali allegedly broke into the victim’s home at knifepoint, underscores a broader crisis facing the nation’s Hindu minority.

The assault, compounded by the circulation of a graphic video online, has not only violated the survivor’s dignity but also exposed the persistent vulnerability of Hindus in Bangladesh. Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August 2024, the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus has faced mounting criticism for its inability to curb escalating violence against religious minorities, particularly Hindus. Reports indicate a surge in attacks, including sexual violence, land grabbing, and temple desecrations, raising alarms about the growing influence of Islamist groups.

The Cumilla case, where the survivor now faces threats to withdraw her complaint, highlights a systemic failure to protect minorities and deliver justice. Critics argue that Yunus’s policies, including the release of individuals with extremist ties and leniency toward fundamentalist groups, have emboldened perpetrators, creating an environment where Hindus live in constant fear.

The Hindu community, comprising roughly 8% of Bangladesh’s population, has long faced targeted violence, but the situation has worsened under the Yunus interim government. Since August 2024, reports have documented a spike in attacks, including 13 gang-rapes of Hindu women in Cumilla alone since April 2025. The case of the 21-year-old survivor in Muradnagar exemplifies this........

© News18