Christians are afraid in Bangladesh
A Catholic church in Bangladesh has been indefinitely closed following incidents of violence and vandalism.
St. Gregory’s High School and College in Old Dhaka, along with other educational institutions, became targets of attacks on November 24th, 2024 after the death of a student from a different school was attributed to alleged medical negligence. Bangladesh has been grappling with a surge in Islamist attacks on religious minorities, which have continued even after Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed interim leader in August.
In a statement, St. Gregory’s High School announced: “Given the current situation, all classes, exams, and office activities for both morning and day shifts will remain suspended until further notice, as decided by the school’s governing committee.”

The school cited the need for extensive cleaning and repairs, stating that operations would resume once conditions were favorable. Archbishop Bejoy D’Cruze of Dhaka condemned the attacks, emphasizing the school’s commitment to peace.
He explained to Crux, “This incident occurred indirectly. Protests over the unfortunate death of a student spilled onto the streets. Our students were merely bystanders, but those from another institution assumed they supported the hospital and attacked them. The assailants then entered St. Gregory’s, vandalizing the premises. We were inadvertently drawn into this.”[1]
The archbishop added, “While there are tensions and some malpractice in these situations, we advocate for peace. We’ve suspended classes to ensure safety and have advised students not to engage with any groups. Our focus remains on fostering harmony.”
In recent years, attacks and discrimination against Christians in Bangladesh have increased, with several incidents targeting individuals, churches, and institutions like Catholic schools. These events are often linked to rising radicalization and the growing influence of Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami, which seek to enforce stricter Islamic norms and exert control over Christian-run institutions.
Reported Incidents (2019–2024):
- Attacks on Institutions: Catholic schools and universities have been subjected to arson, vandalism, and forced administrative changes. In some cases, Islamist mobs demanded the implementation of Islamic dress codes and ousted Christian administrators from leadership roles[2].
- Physical Violence: From July 2023 to June 2024 alone, over 1,000 cases of violence against minorities were reported, including 45 deaths and numerous instances of physical assault, extortion, and threats. Christians, along with other minorities, faced attacks on homes, businesses, and places of worship[3].
- Economic and Social Marginalization: Christians often struggle with discrimination in employment and education. Authorities reportedly delay permissions for building new chapels, further restricting their religious practices[4].
- Forced Conversions and False Accusations: Cases of forced conversions and false accusations of blasphemy have also been noted, compounding the community’s challenges.
Reasons for the Increase:
- Political and Religious Radicalization: The growing influence of Islamist political parties, such as Jamaat-e-Islami, and extremist ideologies have exacerbated religious intolerance. This has created a climate where minorities, including Christians, face greater hostility.
- Weak Rule of Law: A culture of impunity for perpetrators and inadequate protection from the government has emboldened attackers and further marginalized minority communities.
- Land Conflicts: Many violent incidents stem from land disputes, often involving powerful individuals or groups targeting minorities to seize their properties.
These developments highlight an urgent need for stronger legal protections and interfaith dialogue to combat religious discrimination and safeguard minority rights in Bangladesh. For more details, you can explore resources from organizations like Aid to the Church in Need and the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council.
[1] https://cruxnow.com/church-in-asia/2024/11/rioters-attack-catholic-school-in-bangladesh
[2] https://acnuk.org/news/bangladesh-surge-in-anti-christian-attacks-and-discrimination/
[3] https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2024-07/1045-cases-of-violence-on-minorities-recorded-in-bangladesh.html
[4] https://acninternational.org/bangladesh-radicalisation-driving-discrimination-and-attacks-against-christians/