The Bangladesh interim government headed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday released official data on incidents involving minority communities and the country’s overall law-and-order situation in 2025. Based on verified police records, authorities documented a total of 645 minority-related incidents across the country between January and December last year.
According to the statement shared by Yunus on social media, the data was compiled from First Information Reports (FIRs), General Diaries, charge sheets and ongoing investigation updates. Of the total incidents, only 71 were identified as having communal elements, while the remaining 574 were categorised as non-communal in nature.
The government clarified that communal incidents largely involved vandalism or desecration of religious sites and idols, along with a small number of other offences. In contrast, most cases affecting minority individuals or properties were linked to criminal activities unrelated to religion, such as neighbourhood disputes, land conflicts, political rivalries, theft, sexual violence and personal enmity.
The report also highlighted what it described as active police engagement. Hundreds of cases were formally registered, arrests were made in several incidents, and investigations are continuing in others. The interim government said this reflected an institutional commitment to maintaining public order, especially in sensitive cases involving religious sites or communal concerns.
Emphasising the need for accurate classification, the statement noted that while all crimes are serious and require accountability, mislabelling non-communal crimes can fuel misinformation. Proper classification, it said, helps ensure more effective law enforcement and prevents unnecessary communal tensions.
At the same time, the Dhaka government acknowledged ongoing law-and-order challenges nationwide. It reiterated that Bangladesh is home to people of diverse faiths, all of whom are entitled to equal rights and protection. Ensuring safety, protecting places of worship and responding swiftly to criminal acts were described as both constitutional and moral responsibilities.
The data release comes amid repeated concerns raised by India over minority safety in Bangladesh. New Delhi has previously cited independent reports claiming a much higher number of violent incidents, including killings, arson and land grabbing, during the interim government’s tenure.