The 1989 Bangladesh riots were a series of attacks against the Bengali Hindus in October - November, apparently as a reaction to the laying of the foundation of Ram temple adjacent to the demolished Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, India. During the pogroms, thousands of Hindu homes and businesses were destroyed.[1] More than 400 Hindu temples were destroyed.[1]
On 30 October 1989, Hindu shops were looted and set on fire in Chittagong, in spite of a curfew. Hindu men and women were attacked and molested.[2] On 10 November, a Muslim mob shouting anti-Hindu slogans took out a procession in Khulna. Hindu temples were attacked and destroyed by the mob.[2] On 11 November, a Muslim mob attacked Hindu shops and temples in Narsingdi.[citation needed] More than 25 Hindu-owned shops were set on fire and images in three temples were smashed.[3] The mob was led by Maulana Tajul Islam, who carried firearms and raised anti-Hindu slogans.[2]
On 17 November, the Hindu students of Brojomohun College in Barisal were attacked, beaten up and thrown out of the hostel.[2] In Comilla, brick-bats were thrown on Hindu devotees during the Ram Thakur festival. Some of the devotees were seriously injured.[2] On 18 November 1989, about 500 Muslims hurled stones at Hindu-owned shops in Khulna, injuring at least 50 people.[4]
- ^ a b Ghosh Dastidar, Sachi (2008). Empire's Last Casualty: Indian Subcontinent's vanishing Hindu and other Minorities. Kolkata: Firma KLM. p. 201. ISBN 978-81-7102-151-2.
- ^ a b c d e Kamra, A.J. (2000). The Prolonged Partition and its Pogroms: Testimonies on Violence Against Hindus in East Bengal 1946-64. New Delhi: Voice of India. p. 215. ISBN 81-85990-63-8.
- ^ "Pakistan Protests Indian Temple, Moslems Riot in Bangladesh". Associated Press. 11 November 1989. Archived from the original on 6 November 2018. Retrieved 12 November 2012.
- ^ "50 Reported Injured During Riots Over Indian Temple". Associated Press. 18 November 1989. Archived from the original on 30 August 2020. Retrieved 12 November 2012.