Most of 645 incidents involving minorities in 2025 criminal in nature, not communal: CA Press Wing
Government findings show that 71 incidents were identified as having communal elements, while 574 were assessed as non-communal in nature.
The interim government has found, following a review of official police records for January to December last year, 645 incidents involving members of minority communities, saying the overwhelming majority of cases were criminal in nature rather than communal.
The findings show that 71 incidents were identified as having communal elements, while 574 were assessed as non-communal in nature, the Chief Adviser's Press Wing said in a statement today (19 January).
The records were compiled from verified first information reports, general diaries, charge sheets and investigation updates nationwide, it added.
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Communal incidents primarily involved vandalism or desecration of religious sites and idols, along with a small number of other offences, according to the Press Wing.
In contrast, the majority of incidents affecting minority individuals or properties arose from criminal activity unrelated to religion, including neighbourhood disputes, land conflicts, political rivalries, theft, sexual violence and cases linked to prior personal enmity, it stated.
The Press Wing said the distinction is important, adding, "While all crimes are serious and demand accountability, the data demonstrates that most incidents involving minority victims were not driven by communal hostility, but by broader criminal and social factors that affect citizens across religious and ethnic lines."
Accurate classification helps prevent misinformation and supports more effective responses from law enforcement, it said.
The statement also mentioned significant police engagement, saying hundreds of cases were registered, arrests were made in many incidents, and investigations are ongoing in others.
The Press Wing said an average of approximately 3,000 to 3,500 people lose their lives to violent crime nationwide each year.
It stated that while every life lost is a tragedy, these figures must be understood in context. "Violent crime affects all communities, cutting across religion, ethnicity, and geography."
Available indicators show that law and order in Bangladesh is improving steadily, it added.
The report is presented in the spirit of transparency and accountability, not to deny challenges nor to claim perfection, the Press Wing said.
"While there is still work to be done, the direction is clear: law and order is improving every day for all of Bangladesh's citizens – Muslims, Hindus and all others alike."
