Bangladesh Police have detained five men who have been charged with raping a Hindu woman in Comilla district's Muradnagar upazila and posting a video of the rape on the internet, leading to outrage and renewed fears of security risks for religious minorities in the nation. The incident occurred on June 26 in Ramchadrapur Panchkitta village, the Muradnagar Police Station said in a statement.

Fajr Ali (36), a local Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader son of Shahid Mia was allegedly apprehended by villagers after raping the wife of an expatriate who hails from the same village. "Fajr Ali was arrested and beaten by the locals. He escaped despite getting injured, but a video of the victim nude and begging for her dignity was recorded by some who were at the scene and later shared online," the police explained. A case has been lodged under applicable sections, and all five accused, Fajr Ali and four others who had made and circulated the video, have been arrested. Police said legal proceedings are underway.

Large-Scale Protests Over Minority Harassment

The heinous incident occurs at a time of recurring attacks and intimidation of minorities in Bangladesh. On May 31, numerous civil society groups, as well as minority organizations, organised a human chain demonstration outside the National Press Club in Dhaka, protesting increased violence against Hindus and other religious minorities. Earlier on May 16, thousands of women's rights activists showed up outside the Parliament building in Dhaka, calling for women's equal rights and dignity under the title "Nariya Dake Maitri Yatra", or "A March of Solidarity at the Call of Women".

In response to recent events, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has again expressed concern for the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. While talking to the press on June 27, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "It is the interim government of Bangladesh's responsibility to safeguard Hindus, their properties, and their places of worship."

His comments also alluded to the recent destruction of the Khilkhet Durga Temple in Dhaka, an act that has increased tensions between India and Bangladesh on minority rights. Bangladesh Foreign Ministry justified the destruction of the Khilkhet Sarbojanin Shri Shri Durga Mandir, explaining that the temple was constructed illegally over Bangladesh Railways land. Authorities argue the temple started life as a temporary Durga Puja pavilion but was then made permanent against several notices warning against encroachment.

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"Bangladesh is dedicated to protecting the rights of all communities," said the ministry, "but it is not acceptable to construct any religious building on public land," the statement added. But local Hindus and human rights campaigners criticized the demolition as insensitive and unnecessary, particularly with the Durga Puja festival around the corner. Protests broke out in Dhaka's Shahbagh on Friday, with the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council demanding greater safeguards for minority worship sites. Locals report that the temple committee was not formally notified before the demolition. "They leveled everything without any warning. It was our sole temple here," said Arjun Roy, secretary of the temple committee.

ALSO READ: India Slams Demolition Of Durga Temple In Bangladesh, Says Yunus Govt Failing To Protect Hindus, Their Properties

Mounting Fears Over Atrocities

Bangladesh's 8 per cent Hindu population has consistently complained about mounting attacks and forced removals. India has called on the Bangladesh government to ensure minority rights, and they can worship their religion freely. While legal proceedings continue against the five suspects of the Comilla rape case, minority rights organizations continue to demand tougher implementation of laws and greater protection for vulnerable sections.