Washington/Dhaka, December 2025 — A U.S.-based Hindu influencer has urged President Donald J. Trump to take international action over what he describes as escalating persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, citing a growing pattern of mob violence, blasphemy accusations, and alleged failures of law enforcement.
In a letter dated December 19, Shayan A. Krishna appealed directly to Trump, alleging that Bangladesh’s Hindu minority is being targeted because of its religious identity. He described a climate of fear in which rumors, often spread through social media, lead to swift violence before authorities intervene.
Krishna praised Trump’s past actions addressing the persecution of Christian communities in parts of Africa, arguing that similar international pressure is now needed to protect Hindus in Bangladesh.
He called on the United States to raise the issue at international forums and to press Dhaka to ensure safety, accountability, and fundamental rights for minority citizens.
There has been no immediate public response from Trump or the White House. Bangladeshi authorities have also not issued an official reaction to the letter.
Lynching of Hindu worker draws global attention
Krishna’s appeal comes amid heightened international scrutiny following the killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a young Hindu garment worker in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, on December 18.
According to eyewitness accounts and widely circulated videos, Das was beaten by a mob after rumors spread that he had made derogatory remarks about Islam. When he stopped moving, attackers reportedly tied his body to a tree and set it on fire. Police arrived after his death, later confirming the killing and arresting several suspects following national outrage .
Rights observers say the lynching represents the most extreme example of a pattern that has intensified since August 2024, where allegations of blasphemy rapidly escalate into mob violence without prior investigation or formal complaints.
Pattern of blasphemy accusations and mob violence
A review of incidents documented between August 2024 and December 2025 shows a recurring sequence: an allegation — often originating from a social media post or screenshot — circulates rapidly through messaging apps and mosque loudspeakers, followed by mob mobilization and violence. In multiple cases, victims were attacked in the presence of police or were forcibly removed from custody by crowds.
Human rights advocates say authorities have frequently detained the accused individuals, sometimes under the pretext of “protective custody,” while those who carried out assaults faced little or no immediate accountability. Several incidents involved public beatings, vandalism of Hindu homes and temples, and forced displacement of entire families.
The overwhelming majority of those targeted in these cases were members of the Hindu minority, Bangladesh’s largest religious minority group. Entire Hindu neighborhoods have been attacked following accusations against individuals, a practice rights groups describe as collective punishment.
Climate of fear since 2024 political transition
Since the political upheaval of August 2024, minority leaders and journalists report a sharp erosion of confidence in state protection. Families affected by blasphemy-related violence have often avoided filing complaints out of fear of retaliation. Some reported pressure from local intermediaries to resolve incidents informally rather than through the legal system.
Social media has played a central role in accelerating violence. In several cases, families said the accused did not own the accounts attributed to them or that profiles had been hacked. Despite the digital origins of many allegations, investigations into the authenticity of online content have frequently been absent, critics say.
Bangladesh’s government has consistently denied claims of systematic religious persecution, describing incidents as isolated acts of criminal violence or politically motivated unrest. Officials maintain that the country’s constitution guarantees equal rights for all citizens regardless of religion.
International implications
Analysts note that diaspora-led appeals to U.S. leaders can influence diplomatic messaging even without immediate policy changes. Letters such as Krishna’s often shape congressional discussions, human rights advocacy, and international reporting.
For now, the letter underscores growing concern among Hindu communities at home and abroad that mob violence driven by rumor is replacing due process. Rights groups warn that unless accountability is enforced and investigations precede arrests, the cycle of accusation and violence is likely to continue.
