The brutal mob killings of two Hindu men in Bangladesh have sent shockwaves through the minority community, triggering desperate calls for India to open its borders as an escape route from what many describe as intensifying Islamist fury. The horrific lynchings of Dipu Chandra Das and Amrit Mondal have laid bare the deep-seated fears of persecution, leaving countless Hindus feeling trapped and vulnerable.
Voices from the Ground: A Community Living in Fear
In conversations facilitated by exiled Bangladesh Sanatan Jagran Macha leader Nihar Haldar, The Times of India spoke with Hindus across Rangpur, Chittagong, Dhaka, and Mymensingh. Their accounts paint a grim picture of daily humiliation and existential dread. A 52-year-old resident from Rangpur voiced the collective anxiety, stating that the constant insults for their faith could swiftly escalate to mob violence. "We are trapped and have nowhere to go. We swallow insults as we fear we could meet the same fate as Dipu or Amrit," he said.
The community's anxieties have been sharply accentuated by the recent groundswell of support for Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman, viewed as a hardliner. His return to the country ahead of elections has amplified concerns. A Hindu resident from Dhaka explained, "If Dipu Das' lynching has triggered fears, the return of Tarique Rahman... makes them more anxious. If the BNP comes to power, we could face more persecution." Many see the current Awami League government under Sheikh Hasina as their only shield.
The Ripple Effect: Protests and Warnings of a 'Holocaust'
The distress signals from Bangladesh are resonating in Indian border regions like Gadchiroli, Chandrapur in Maharashtra, and Pakhanjur in Chhattisgarh, which house settlements of refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan. Dr. Subodh Biswas, president of the Nikhil Banga Samanbay Samiti, an organization of such refugees, criticized Indian Hindu groups for inaction. "India is the only country where Hindus of Bangladesh can bank upon during a crisis. More Hindus will be killed, but borders remain shut," he said, announcing plans to stage protests at the border.
The sense of urgency is palpable. An activist from Sanatan Jagran Macha, requesting anonymity, issued a stark warning: "There are 2.5 crore Hindus in Bangladesh. It's not a small number... We are staring at a holocaust." They argue that while a mass exodus may not occur, open borders would provide a critical safety valve for those facing direct threats.
Between Persecution and Poverty: A Harrowing Choice
For many Bangladeshi Hindus, the dilemma is brutal. While they seek an escape route from violence, the prospect of abandoning their livelihoods for an uncertain life in India is daunting. A man in his forties from Dhaka highlighted the economic bind and the constant suspicion they face: "If you wear or sport any Hindu symbol, passersby don't hesitate to call you an Indian agent." Families like that of the slain Dipu Chandra Das often live hand-to-mouth, where survival takes precedence over flight.
Yet, the plea for an option remains. A resident from Mymensingh clarified that opening the borders is not about encouraging an exodus but providing insulation from violence. Echoing this, a Hindu from Dhaka summed up the nightmare: "We are living the worst nightmare. Opening the Indian borders will at least create an escape route for those facing persecution." As political tensions rise with Tarique Rahman's resurgence, the community's SOS to India grows more desperate, hoping for a lifeline from across the border.
