Hindus in Bangladesh continue to face targeted violence, with homes and businesses being destroyed and temples vandalized, according to Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi’s recent speech on the House floor. This alarming situation has prompted American Hindus, along with two Hindu Congressmen, to call for international attention and action to safeguard the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Rep. Krishnamoorthi, representing Illinois, expressed concerns over the ongoing attacks on Hindu communities. He has been actively engaging with the State Department and has called for more action during Senate confirmation hearings. Krishnamoorthi urged his colleagues in Congress to act swiftly to protect Bangladesh’s religious minorities, emphasizing, “The world is watching, and we cannot let history repeat itself.”
Similarly, Rep. Ro Khanna from California highlighted his discussions with Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh’s government. Khanna shared that Yunus assured him of Bangladesh’s commitment to protect Hindus and all people of faith from violence and religious persecution. Khanna posted about this conversation on his X account, indicating a proactive approach to address the issue.
The situation in Bangladesh has worsened since the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August, followed by the ascension of Yunus as the interim leader. Hindu advocates claim that this power shift has led to an increase in attacks on minorities without significant consequences. Reports have emerged of homes, places of worship being destroyed, businesses looted, and physical assaults becoming more frequent.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu monk and minority rights advocate, was arrested on sedition charges in November after allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag, which further highlights the precarious position of Hindu minorities in the country.
In response, American Hindu advocacy groups have been vocal. A large banner was flown over the Hudson River in October, stating “End Hindu Genocide in Bangladesh.” Sewa USA, a disaster response nonprofit, has been actively raising funds to support Hindus fleeing violence. Ramya Ramakrishnan from the Hindu American Foundation has encouraged individual action, noting the fatigue among Hindus due to biased media coverage and the omission of key facts about the situation of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
The discourse around this violence transcends borders, drawing attention from the Hindu diaspora in the U.S., which is pushing for recognition and protection of their counterparts in Bangladesh. This includes calls for the U.S. government, under the leadership of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, to address the situation. Critics of the current administration, including some protesters in Florida, have accused it of ignoring the plight of Hindus both globally and domestically, with one protester stating, “No one in America will stand for this!”
The advocacy for Bangladesh’s Hindu minority also involves highlighting international human rights concerns, with the Hindu-Buddhist-Christian council in Bangladesh pushing for a secular state. As these issues gain more attention, the role of American Hindus and their representatives in Congress could be pivotal in influencing U.S. policy and international response to the violence in Bangladesh.
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