An American daily was called out amid the Bangladesh unrest after its alleged anti-Hindu headline– “Hindus in Bangladesh Face Revenge Attacks After Prime Minister’s Exit”. However, the headline was later changed by the newspaper after the uproar.

The original headline of The New York Times, an American daily, blamed the minority Hindus for the persecution of them carried out by the majority groups.

Hindus, who make up about 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million population, have traditionally shown strong support for Hasina’s Awami League party, which is largely secular. This support contrasts with the opposition bloc that includes a hardline Islamist party.

After criticism from various platforms around the world, the American media house has changed its headline by removing the word ‘revenge’.

Following the exit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amidst unrest over a controversial quota system reserving 30% of jobs for families of retired soldiers who fought in the 1971 Liberation War, there has been widespread vandalism of Hindu homes, businesses, and temples. India has expressed concern over this incident.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, “What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses, and temples also came under attack at multiple locations.”

Reports suggest that India has evacuated all non-essential staff and their families from its embassy and consulates in Bangladesh. All Indian diplomatic missions are in Bangladesh and are conducting their operations.

Apart from the High Commission or Embassy in Dhaka, India has consulates or deputy high commissions in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Khulna, and Sylhet. Amid political unrest, an Air India flight carrying 199 passengers and six infants arrived in Delhi on the morning of Aug 7.

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Rioters attack minority Hindu population in Bangladesh; burn houses, temples