Sumon Corraya

Since Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign, attacks against minority Hindus have intensified. Some statues have been recently destroyed and vandalised at Hindu temples. To ensure the Hindu holiday takes place in a calm atmosphere, Bangladesh’s new government is deploying its security forces.

Mahmudur Rahman, a long-time opponent of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, was convicted in a dubious trial of planning to kidnap her son Joy. The journalist’s defence team calls the charges, “fabricated and baseless allegations in a farcical trial.” After his return to Bangladesh from Turkey, he was granted bail.

The incident took place at a girls' high school in Daspara sparking attention following videos posted on social media. Hindu students and parents are asking for more security. Violence against minorities has increased after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. About a thousand Christian schools are also at risk. For Journalist Mostofa Feroz, “the country belongs to everyone.”

The most recent incidents are mainly related to suspected theft or political affiliations. Several clashes took place inside universities. Among the main causes are political instability and distrust in the judicial system.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation set off the crisis. Workers are protesting over back wages and accuse factory owners, many of whom are linked to the previous government, of fuelling the unrest for political reasons. Source tells AsiaNews that unemployed young people are returning to their home villages. Exports for coming seasons are at risk.

Msgr Kevin S. Randall told the new chief advisor of the pontiff's concerns about Christians and Rohingya refugees. In just over a month, the interim government has initiated several reforms, but order has not been restored everywhere and it is still unclear when elections will be held.

Over 5.4 million people affected, with more than a million families submerged. Many homes were destroyed, like that of Sumi Rani in Feni: ‘Everything we owned is gone. Despite the receding waters in some areas, the crisis remains in the south of the country. Christian organisations like Caritas Bangladesh and the government have initiated aid. Experts call for urgent measures against climate change.

Seven years after the great flight of hundreds of thousands of members of the Muslim minority from Myanmar, the situation in Bangladesh's reception centres is still an emergency. The account of a Jesuit, who has been involved in aid and shelter work for years. Dhaka has limited resources, but we need stability and peace in former Burma before repatriating them.

To date there are 2.59 million people without employment in the country, with a particular incidence in the younger segments of the population. The figure of those who expatriate to complete their studies or better professional opportunities continues to grow. The local church's commitment to education, starting with technical institutes.

Speaking to AsiaNews, Card Patrick D'Rozario appeals “for peace, calm and no revenge”. For the first time, student leaders join a caretaker government. There is uncertainty over the role the military will play in the period leading up to the election, expected over the next three months. Activists and analysts stress the importance of maintaining stability.

After a provisional government was announced, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party has re-emerged on the political scene. Its leader, Khaleda Zia, is free and her son seems poised to run. Hindus and Christians have been attacked, but this was not part of the protests. University students risk being marginalised if they do not become politically organised.

This morning Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left the country aboard a military helicopter after protests broke out again. Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman addressed the nation announcing that he had held talks with several political parties.