2013 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence | |
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![]() Hindu women in Banshkhali Upazila surveying the remains of their demolished homes after being attacked by the Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. | |
![]() Bangladesh districts affected by 2013 anti-Hindu violence | |
Location | Bangladesh |
Date | 28 February 2013 – 22 June 2013 |
Target | Bengali Hindus |
Attack type | Firing, looting, vandalising Hindu temples, idols, shops and houses[1] |
Weapons | Sword, petrol, diesel, |
Victim | Bengali Hindus |
Motive | ICT sentenced Sayeedi |
On 28 February 2013, the International Crimes Tribunal sentenced Delwar Hossain Sayeedi, the vice-president of the Jamaat-e-Islami to death for war crimes committed during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War. Following the sentence, activists of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir attacked Hindus in different parts of the country. Hindu properties were looted, Hindu houses were burnt into ashes and Hindu temples were desecrated and set on fire.[2][additional citation(s) needed] While the government has held the Jamaat-e-Islami responsible for the attacks on minorities, the Jamaat-e-Islami leadership has denied any involvement. Minority leaders have protested the attacks and appealed for justice. The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has directed law enforcement to start suo motu investigation into the attacks. The US Ambassador to Bangladesh expressed concern about attacks by Jamaat on the Bengali Hindu community.[3][4]