The United Kingdom has expressed deep concern over rising violence and persecution against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, pledging to continue its engagement with Dhaka’s interim government to uphold human rights and religious freedom.
The statement followed a discussion in the UK Parliament’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Hindus, where a detailed report by Insight UK documented a wave of anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. The report described widespread destruction of temples, looting of Hindu-owned homes, and arson attacks where entire families were burned alive.
Raising the issue in Parliament, Conservative MP Bob Blackman urged the government to act. “Next week, Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains around the world will celebrate Diwali, when light triumphs over darkness. Unfortunately, Hindus in Bangladesh will not be celebrating.
They face persecution, violence, and the destruction of their temples and homes,” he said. “Could we have a statement from a government minister on what action we are going to take to safeguard minorities in Bangladesh when they are suffering from severe oppression?”
Later, in a post on X, Blackman wrote: “Diwali is a time of celebration, where light triumphs over darkness. However, Hindus in Bangladesh will not be celebrating. They face persecution, violence, and the destruction of their temples and homes. I’ve called on the government to take action.”
Responding in Parliament, a Foreign Office minister reaffirmed London’s position, saying, “We strongly condemn all instances of hate and violence directed towards minority religious communities. We are actively engaged in addressing the humanitarian situation in Bangladesh and supporting the interim government toward a peaceful democratic transition.”
The minister also emphasized Britain’s “deep commitment” to protecting freedom of religion globally. “If there is a point at which a statement is appropriate, the government will bring forward one. There will be opportunities for debate.”
The UK’s remarks come amid growing international concern about the human rights situation in Bangladesh following the overthrow of Hasina’s elected government. Rights groups and diaspora organizations have accused the Nobel laureate-led interim administration of turning a blind eye to violence targeting Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
According to the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council, more than 2,000 incidents of murder, rape, and arson were recorded in the two weeks following Hasina’s ouster. Many victims reported that mobs aligned with Islamist groups carried out coordinated attacks, often in the presence of security forces.
British Hindu community leaders have also warned that silence from Western governments risks emboldening extremist elements in Bangladesh. “We welcome the UK government’s condemnation, but we urge stronger diplomatic pressure,” said a spokesperson for Insight UK. “Bangladesh’s Hindu community has been systematically targeted, and their survival now depends on international advocacy.”
As the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain communities worldwide prepare to celebrate Diwali, London’s renewed focus on religious freedom in South Asia signals a broader reassessment of its foreign policy priorities. While the UK continues to work with Bangladesh’s interim administration on issues of governance and trade, the unfolding persecution of minorities has introduced new strains into the bilateral relationship.
