Members of minority communities are coming under attacks frequently. About 20,000 criminal cases have been filed in connection with these attacks in the last two decades. 

But verdict has been delivered in only one case, which was filed over the rape of Purnima Rani Shil.

Attackers feel encouraged because of such a culture of impunity, said Barrister Jyotirmoy Barua.

After the Awami League came to power in 2009, it crushed powerful political parties like the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islam with iron feasts, he said.

"But they cannot reign in some unorganised people committing communal attacks. Because they don't really want to do it."

The noted human rights lawyer observed that there are 19 lawmakers in parliament who belong to the minority communities.

But they are not making any statements about the communal attacks, he said.

"If they make a comment, they might not get the party nomination in the future."