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A recent notification issued by the President of Bangladesh's office has ignited concerns about potential 'racial profiling' of the Hindu minority within the country. The notification, dated August 29th, requested personal details of senior Hindu government officials. Ostensibly, this data was intended for creating an invitation list for an event at the President's residence, Bangabhaban, in celebration of the upcoming religious holidays of Vijaya Dashami and Sri Krishna Janmashtami. However, the legitimacy of this claim has been met with skepticism, particularly given the backdrop of escalating tensions and violence against minority groups in Bangladesh following the recent ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government.
Suhas Chakma, director of the Rights and Risks Analysis Group (RRAG), expressed deep concerns over the notification, labeling it an act of 'racial profiling'. He argued that the demand for a list exclusively containing Hindu officers implies a deliberate attempt to target the minority community based on their religious beliefs. This suspicion is further fueled by recent instances of Hindu officials and academics being forced to resign under pressure from agitating students and protesters. Chakma, a vocal advocate for the rights of religious and ethnic minorities across Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India's northeastern states, highlighted a growing sense of fear among Hindu officials. He believes that this data collection could be utilized to silence and target them.
Beyond the President's office, similar notices seeking lists of Hindu officers have emerged from other Bangladeshi Ministries, citing the upcoming festival season as justification. Chakma shared an example of such a notification issued by the Bangladesh Ministry of Textiles and Jute, reinforcing his concerns about a widespread pattern of targeting. He asserted that this practice constitutes a violation of international human rights laws regarding racial discrimination and the rights of minorities. Chakma called for intervention from UN Rapporteurs, urging them to investigate this concerning trend and its implications for the safety and well-being of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.