This troubling trend, highlighted by incidents such as the attack on the Katakhali Forest Buddhist Monastery in November 2021 and ongoing harassment by security forces, has sparked outrage among Buddhist communities and raised serious concerns about the state of religious freedom in Bangladesh. The following report explores the current challenges faced by Buddhists in Bangladesh, with a focus on the plight of the Chakma and other indigenous groups, and calls for urgent action to address this humanitarian crisis.


The Attack on Katakhali Forest Buddhist Monastery

On 24 October, 2021 a mob allegedly set fire to the Katakhali Forest Buddhist Monastery in Cox’s Bazar district, a region with a significant Buddhist population. The attack left at least eight members of the Chakma community, including women, injured. This incident is not isolated but part of a broader pattern of violence targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh. The destruction of the monastery followed a series of attacks on Hindu temples and Durga Puja pandals that began on 13 October, 2021, signaling a disturbing rise in religious intolerance.

In response, six Chakma organizations in Tripura, India—namely the Chakma Buddhist Welfare Society, Young Chakma Association, Tripura Chakma Students Association, Chakma National Council of India, and Tripura Rejjyo Chakma Gabuchya Joda—staged a demonstration outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Agartala.

The groups submitted a memorandum to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, condemning the attack and demanding justice for the perpetrators. The memorandum criticized the Bangladeshi government for failing to protect religious minorities, citing the lack of accountability for earlier attacks, such as the destruction of 19 Buddhist temples and approximately 100 homes in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar, and Patiya of Chittagong in 2012. The organizations urged the government to prosecute those responsible through fast-track courts and ensure the safety of minority communities.


Military Interference in Religious Practices

The persecution of Buddhists extends beyond isolated mob attacks to systemic harassment by security forces. In the CHT, a region dominated by Jumma Buddhists, military personnel have repeatedly disrupted religious activities. For instance, in Maischari under Khagrachari district, the army ordered Jumma villagers to halt renovation work on a Buddhist temple, claiming that such activities required prior permission from the Mahalchari Thana administration. Aungjyo Karbari, the village head of Korngjyo Karbari Para, was briefly detained and interrogated about the temple work. Additionally, four Jumma Buddhist teenagers were detained for performing routine duties at the temple, such as preparing meals for monks.

The military’s actions are compounded by land disputes fueled by Bengali Muslim settlers, who, with alleged support from the army, have seized hundreds of acres of land belonging to the Jumma people in Maischari and surrounding areas. Captain Shohel, commander of the Indra Singh Karbaripara camp in Lakshmichari, reportedly declared, “We will not tolerate any Buddha house here; we want only Allah’s house,” reflecting a blatant disregard for religious diversity. Such statements and actions underscore the systemic marginalization of Buddhist communities in the CHT.


A History of Violence and Desecration

The destruction of Buddhist religious sites is not a new phenomenon in Bangladesh. On 31 December, 2007, a group of army personnel led by Captain Shohel ransacked a Buddhist temple-cum-meditation center at Bhujulichuk hilltop, run by a disciple of Ven. Bana Bhante, a revered monk believed to have attained Arahathood.

The soldiers demolished cottages, smashed the temple’s thatched roof and bamboo walls, and desecrated a statue of Lord Buddha by throwing it into the jungle. Shubhopriyo Sramana, a novice monk, remained in deep meditation during the attack, undeterred by the destruction around him. Earlier that year, on July 17, 2007, the Bhujulichuk meditation center was demolished by army personnel, and two Buddhist novices were detained and forced to abandon the site.

Other incidents include the harassment of monks at Aryo Mitra Bouddha Vihara in January 2007 and attempts to seize land belonging to Sadhana Tila Bana Viahra in Dighinala in August-September 2007. In November 2007, the army threatened Buddhist community leaders to prevent them from using loudspeakers for the Katin Chivor Danotsav, a major Buddhist festival in the CHT. These actions, coupled with a public notice issued on September 12, 2007, by the Upazilla Nirbahi Officer of Mahalchari prohibiting new religious constructions without permission, indicate a concerted effort to curb Buddhist religious practices and facilitate illegal settlements by Bengali Muslims.


The Broader Context of Minority Persecution

The Buddhist communities in Bangladesh, particularly the Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Tanchangya, Bawm, Pangkhua, Chak, Khyang, Khumi, Mru, Lushai, Barua, and Rakhine, face persecution that intertwines religious and ethnic discrimination. According to World Bank documentation, Bangladesh is home to 45 distinct indigenous groups, many of whom practice Buddhism or Hinduism.

The scale of violence is staggering: between July 2023 and June 2024, 1,045 cases of violence against minorities were documented, including 45 murders and 25 rapes. Since August 2024, over 200 incidents targeting religious minorities have been reported. The annual emigration of approximately 230,612 Hindus to India reflects the dire situation faced by minorities, with Buddhists also facing forced conversions, land grabbing, and attacks on religious sites.


A Call for Justice and Protection

The persecution of Buddhists in Bangladesh is a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate attention. The Bangladeshi government must uphold its responsibility to protect the lives, property, and religious rights of its minority communities. The international community, including Buddhist organizations and human rights groups, must amplify the voices of the Chakma and other indigenous groups to pressure Bangladesh to address these injustices. Ensuring the prosecution of those responsible for attacks on Buddhist monasteries and temples, restoring seized lands, and safeguarding religious freedom are critical steps toward fostering peace and coexistence in the region.

As the Chakma organizations in Tripura have emphasized, the government’s failure to act decisively perpetuates a cycle of violence and impunity. For Bangladesh to uphold its democratic values and international human rights obligations, it must take concrete measures to protect its Buddhist and other minority communities from further persecution.