March 15, 2025 10:16 pm
Full News

Bangladeshi American Minorities Plead for Trump’s Intervention in Bangladesh Crisis

A coalition of Bangladeshi American Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians has issued an urgent appeal to President-elect Donald Trump, describing a dire situation for religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh. They are facing what they term an “existential threat” from Islamist forces, and in a heartfelt letter, they’ve sought both immediate relief and long-term solutions to halt the ongoing persecution.

Since the surge in violence following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, minorities have reportedly been subjected to mass displacement, with tens of millions fleeing the country. The letter details acts of violence including the burning of homes and businesses, temple desecration, land grabbing, torture, mass rape, forced conversions to Islam, and brutal murders.

The community leaders are asking Trump for immediate actions, starting with the release of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who they assert is falsely imprisoned on sedition charges. They also urge Trump to ensure Bangladesh retains its secular and pluralistic democratic principles in its constitutional revisions.

Further, they propose that Bangladesh’s continued participation in UN peacekeeping missions should depend on halting internal ethnic and religious cleansing. They call for the prosecution of those listed in the 2011 Judge Sahabuddin Commission Report for crimes against minorities and demand that progressive political parties, which represent minorities and moderate Muslims, be allowed in the upcoming elections to counterbalance Islamist influence.

For long-term relief, the letter suggests a comprehensive Minority Protection Act to recognize minorities and indigenous groups officially, create safe enclaves, establish a separate electorate for minorities, and introduce laws against hate crimes and speech to protect religious practices and cultural heritage.

Additionally, they recommend judicial reforms including a Civil Rights Division in the Supreme Court, laws to safeguard religious properties, and prohibitions on discrimination in various sectors. They also advocate for the creation of a National Minority Commission, a Ministry of Minority Affairs, and foundations for Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians to support their communities.

The letter also pushes for legal protections against forced religious conversions and respect for traditional religious rights like inheritance.

The community leaders warn that without international intervention, Bangladesh risks descending into radicalization, which could have far-reaching effects. They emphasize the need to support Bangladesh’s moderate Muslim majority and minorities to maintain it as a beacon of secular democracy in South Asia.

This appeal is not just a cry for help but a call for the world to focus on a crisis with implications beyond Bangladesh’s borders, hoping that Trump’s commitment to religious freedom will translate into action to secure a peaceful and inclusive future for all Bangladeshis.

The letter addressed to President-elect Donald Trump was signed by Dwijen Bhattacharya, a Bengali language instructor at Columbia University; Bishnu Gopa, General Secretary of the United States Unity Council; and Advisor Dilip Nath. Overall support was provided by Liton Majumder, General Secretary of the Hindu Bengali Society of Florida, and President Sanjay K. Saha; Bhajan Sarkar, President of United Hindus of the USA, and General Secretary Ramdas Gharami; Paresh Sharma, President of the Jagannath Hall Alumni Association USA; and General Secretary Sushil Sinha.

Related News
Beijing Agrees To Discuss With Dalai Lama When Tibet Accepts China’s Part
Indonesia’s $10 Billion Deal with China Raises Sovereignty Concerns and ASEAN Tensions
Babies in Gaza at Risk of Disease and Death as Winter Approaches
Johnny Depp Rumored to Return as Captain Jack Sparrow
Trump in Talks Over TikTok Purchase, Decision Expected in 30 Days
‘Insulting religion’: Sunamganj Hindu house attacked, youth held
Related Posts
Why is the Baloch Liberation Army Against Pakistan?
U.S. Imposes Visa Ban on Thai Officials for Deporting Uyghurs
Krrish 4 Delayed to 2026 Due to Rs. 700 Crore Budget Hurdle
Tension Between Zegler and Gadot on Snow White Set
Mauna Loa Observatory Faces Closure Amid Federal Cost-Cutting Measures
Brazil to Launch $125 Billion Fund for Tropical Forests at COP30
More News

Ukraine Crisis Could Have Been Avoided If Trump Was President: Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed that the “Ukraine crisis” could have been prevented if Donald Trump had been the US president at the time. He said he was ready to discuss the crisis with the new US president. Putin said this in an interview with Russian television on Friday. Trump has long claimed that […]

Angelina Jolie’s Movie Released on Prime Video After 25 Years

The movie Hell’s Kitchen, which stars Angelina Jolie, is now available on Prime Video, more than 25 years after it was first released in 1998. The movie tells the story of Johnny (played by Mekhi Phifer), a former gang member who tries to change his life after being released from prison. Once free, Johnny gets […]

Terrorists, Not Students, Behind Vandalism at Bangabandhu’s House: Harsh Vardhan Shringla

Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh and former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has expressed concern over the recent vandalism at Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s residence at 32 Dhanmondi in the capital. He stated that it was not students but terrorists who were behind the incident. He made these remarks on Saturday at an event titled […]

Scott L. Schwartz, Actor and Former Wrestler, Dies at 65

Scott L. Schwartz, the actor and former wrestler known for his role as Bruiser in the Ocean’s Eleven film series, has died at the age of 65. He passed away from congestive heart failure on November 26 at his home in Covington, Louisiana, confirmed by his wife, Misty. Schwartz first portrayed Bruiser in Ocean’s Eleven […]

Cyclone Dana Strikes Eastern India, Forcing Mass Evacuations and Triggering Severe Weather Warnings

Cyclone Dana struck eastern India’s Odisha coast on Friday, bringing heavy rain and winds reaching up to 110 kilometers per hour (70 mph) as it made landfall near the town of Chandbali. The storm, classified as the equivalent of a tropical storm, was located about 250 kilometers southwest of Kolkata, moving slowly north-northwest at 12 […]

Trump Reportedly Weighs DeSantis as Replacement for Pentagon Chief Nominee Hegseth

WASHINGTON – President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering replacing his nominee for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, according to a Dec 3 report by The Wall Street Journal. Hegseth, a combat veteran and former Fox News host, has faced growing opposition on Capitol Hill over allegations about his personal and […]

Bangladesh Formally Requests Extradition of Sheikh Hasina from India

DHAKA – The Bangladesh government has formally requested the extradition of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India, according to Touhid Hossain, the interim government’s advisor on foreign affairs. Speaking at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday, Touhid Hossain stated: “We have clearly informed India. We have sent a diplomatic note verbale requesting her […]

Paul Mescal to Star in Beatles Biopic Films

Paul Mescal, known for his role in Gladiator II, will star in the upcoming Beatles biopic films. It was earlier rumored that Mescal would play Paul McCartney, and now director Ridley Scott has confirmed his involvement. During a recent conversation with director Christopher Nolan, Scott mentioned that Mescal is busy with the Beatles films, which […]

Cholera Outbreak in Angola Claims Over 100 Lives

A severe cholera outbreak in Angola, a country in Central Africa, has claimed the lives of at least 108 people. According to the country’s Ministry of Health, these deaths have occurred since the beginning of this year, and the number of fatalities has been rising in recent days. Despite being rich in mineral resources and […]

Deadly Clashes Erupt in Pakistan as Supporters of Imran Khan March on Islamabad

ISLAMABAD – Thousands of supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan clashed with police and paramilitary forces this week as they marched toward Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. The protesters, responding to Khan’s call for a sit-in protest, broke through barricades in their bid to reach a key rallying site near the parliament. Protesters’ Demands The […]