Bangladesh

by Sumon Corraya | BANGLADESH

Bangladesh will not participate in the Men's T20 World Cup, scheduled to start in India in February, citing concerns over players’ safety, a result of tensions between the two countries following former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's flight to India and attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. Dhaka unsuccessfully asked for matches to be moved to Sri Lanka. For Murel Gomes, a Catholic and a former captain of the Bangladesh women's national football team, “cricket should never be held hostage to political tensions.”


Bangladesh’s concerns about the safety of its cricket players is connected to the decision by Indian cricket authorities to exclude Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League. The deterioration in bilateral relations follows former Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina's flight to India. The two sides also accuse each other of sectarian violence as Bangladeshis are set to go to the polls next month. Still, New Delhi is trying a more conciliatory approach.

| 09/01/2026
| INDIAN MANDALA
by Sumon Corraya

Dedicated to Saint Francis, the church was built by PIME missionaries called to this area of ​​Bangladesh by some Santals who wanted to learn about the Gospel. The community, which now numbers some five thousand, led to the birth of other parishes. Bishop Tudu expressed gratitude for those who “planted the seed of Christian faith” in the area.

| 05/01/2026
| BANGLADESH
by Sumon Corraya

The country's first female prime minister, a long-time protagonist in Bangladeshi political life, has died at the age of 80. An unprecedented crowd gathered at her funeral. Bishop Bejoy D'Cruze: ‘Despite differences of opinion, she loved the nation deeply’. The Church's appeal for peace and unity in a moment of profound grief.

| 02/01/2026
| BANGLADESH
by Sumon Corraya

This is the alarm raised by activists from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (Bhbcuc). At least 73 incidents triggered by accusations of religious offence. In addition to killings, there have been murders, rapes, arson attacks on places of worship, misappropriation of land and forced displacement. Ahead of the vote, the student party is allying itself with Islamic radicals.

| 29/12/2025
| BANGLADESH

Hadi, 32, founder of the Inqilab Moncho movement and one of the main players in the protest movement that ousted Sheikh Hasina, died in Singapore from a gunshot wound to the head. The suspect reportedly fled to India. Hundreds vandalised the offices of Prothom Alo and the Daily Star in Dhaka. For Muhammad Yunus, this was “an assault on independent media and democratic progress.”

| 19/12/2025
| BANGLADESH
by Sumon Corraya

The Anti-Terrorism Law was used against Anis Alamgir for remarks he made in the ongoing election campaign leading up to next February’s vote. In his defence in court, he said: "I question power, I have been doing it for two decades." Catholic journalists and human rights groups are concerned: “This looks like an attempt to suppress the voice of independent journalism.”

 

| 16/12/2025
| BANGLADESH
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