2013 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence

2013 Bangladesh anti-Hindu violence
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 – Till date
Target	Bengali Hindus
Attack type	Firing, looting, vandalising Hindu temples, idols, shops and houses
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. 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.

Attacks on Hindu minorities have been the work of extremists supported by the Jamaat and Bangladesh National Party (BNP). After the Judge's decision to give the death sentence to Delwar Hossain was released, the Jamaat and BNP burst into riots against governments, as well as attacking minorities and local police. The attacks destroyed thousands of Hindu houses and temples. These attacks have been heavily criticised by the United States Government, as well as India and other peace-demanding nations and organisations.

After the verdict, the Jamaat-e-Islami took to the streets in protest against the verdict. They attacked the establishment including the police, fire brigade, disrupted the traffic and set vehicles on fire. They attacked specially the Hindu minorities, destroyed their houses and businesses, vandalised their temples and set them on fire. According to community leaders, more than 50 Hindu temples and 1,500 Hindu homes were destroyed in 20 districts.