April 2, 2025 12:57 am
Full News

New Hampshire Passes HR 11 on Minority Abuse Under Yunus’s Interim Government in Bangladesh

The New Hampshire House of Representatives has introduced House Resolution 11 (HR 11), calling on the United States government to investigate serious allegations of human rights abuses in Bangladesh. The resolution, prompted by ongoing unrest and minority persecution in the South Asian country, highlights the alleged actions of Muhammad Yunus’s interim government, which assumed power following a political coup in early 2024.

  1. Allegations Against Yunus’s Interim Government

HR 11 accuses the interim government of systematic and widespread abuses, targeting religious minorities and dismantling the secular legacy of Bangladesh’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman:
• Attacks on Religious Sites: More than 50 sites of worship, including prominent shrines such as the Shah Paran shrine in Sylhet and the Dewanbagh shrine in Narayanganj, have been set ablaze or destroyed. These attacks have led to multiple fatalities, injuries, and irreparable cultural losses.
• Cultural and Historical Erasure: National holidays commemorating Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (Bangabandhu) have been canceled, while institutions and monuments honoring him have been renamed or dismantled. These actions appear to target Bangladesh’s secular identity and promote a more fundamentalist narrative.
• Extrajudicial Killings: Members of the Awami League, police officials, and activists opposing the interim regime have reportedly been killed in extrajudicial actions, raising concerns about the government’s suppression of dissent.

  1. Why New Hampshire Took This Initiative

New Hampshire lawmakers, led by sponsors such as Rep. Khan, Rep. D. Thomas, and Sen. Lang, were compelled to act after analyzing reports of persecution in Bangladesh. The resolution reflects the state’s recognition of its role in pressing the federal government to confront human rights abuses worldwide.

Rep. Khan, one of the chief architects of the resolution, said, “New Hampshire may be small, but our values compel us to speak out against oppression wherever it occurs. The targeted attacks on Bangladesh’s religious minorities by Yunus’s regime are not only a Bangladeshi issue—they’re a global human rights issue.”

The state legislature’s State-Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs Committee framed the resolution as an urgent appeal to Congress, the White House, and the U.S. State Department to hold the interim Bangladeshi government accountable. Lawmakers argue that the return of extremism in Bangladesh threatens democracy, religious harmony, and international stability.

  1. Geopolitical Implications

The ongoing persecution of minorities under Yunus’s government risks destabilizing South Asia as a whole. Bangladesh, surrounded by India, Myanmar, and the Bay of Bengal, sits in a geopolitically sensitive region.

If fundamentalist policies continue unchecked, analysts warn of escalating regional tensions. Religious and ethnic unrest could spill over into neighboring countries, heightening disputes in already volatile border regions. Further destabilization in Bangladesh would disrupt economic trade routes, migration management, and regional cooperation efforts, particularly with India and other South Asian nations.

HR 11 acknowledges these broader consequences, with New Hampshire urging U.S. intervention to not only safeguard Bangladesh’s sovereignty but to prevent a cascading destabilization of South Asia’s fragile political balance.

  1. Broader Implications

The allegations against Bangladesh’s interim government evoke painful memories of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, during which religious minorities—particularly Hindus—were subjected to ethnic cleansing by militant forces aligned with anti-sovereignty factions.

Similar patterns of violence are now resurfacing, suggesting a systematic attempt by militant forces to undermine Bangladesh’s secular foundation. Analysts fear that unless immediate action is taken, Bangladesh faces the real possibility of civil war. Such an outcome would generate massive unrest, displace millions, and fundamentally threaten the country’s sovereignty and democratic existence.

New Hampshire Passes HR 11 on Minority Abuse Under Yunus’s Interim Government in Bangladesh

Opinion

As HR 11 highlights, the ongoing minority oppression in Bangladesh under Yunus’s regime mirrors the brutal atrocities faced by Hindus during the 1971 war. The same militant forces that opposed Bangladesh’s independence appear to be at work once more, intent on destabilizing the nation. These forces, many of whom were directly linked to the Pakistani military or militant factions backed by Pakistan, were involved in the ethnic cleansing that sought to crush the nascent Bangladeshi nation’s independence. Today, these militants are resurfacing under a different guise, intent on targeting religious minorities, especially Hindus, and dismantling Bangladesh’s secular values in a new wave of extremism.

If this persecution continues unchecked, Bangladesh risks descending into civil unrest on a scale that could destroy its sovereignty and democratic existence. This turmoil could have catastrophic consequences not only for Bangladesh but for the South Asian region as a whole. Furthermore, Pakistan’s role in backing certain extremist factions in Bangladesh could be viewed as an attempt to weaken the country and revive a narrative that favors religious extremism over secular democracy.

By introducing HR 11, New Hampshire has not only brought this dire issue into focus but also sent a powerful message: the world must act now to defend justice, democracy, and the rights of minorities before it’s too late. The international community must stand united against this form of aggression, which seeks to erase not only the secular fabric of Bangladesh but also its rich cultural and religious diversity.

The parallels between the current crisis and the 1971 genocide cannot be ignored. Both periods of violence are marked by the same destructive forces, including extremist factions with deep ties to Pakistani interests, and the same target—Bangladesh’s minorities and its democratic identity. If the world fails to act decisively, we risk a repetition of history—one that would result in tremendous loss of life, displacement, and a region plunged into greater instability.

Now is the time for the world to hold the interim government in Bangladesh accountable and ensure that this devastating cycle of violence is brought to an end, before it spirals completely out of control.

Deepanwita Martin, Sub Editor The Voice news


Related News
UN Envoy Highlights Syria’s Historic Transition Following Regime Collapse
Johnny Depp Rumored to Return as Captain Jack Sparrow
Polish PM Warns of Serious Global Conflict Risk Amid Escalation in Ukraine
James Bond Star Emilio Echeverría Dies at 80
Attempted Attack on Indian Foreign Minister Jaishankar in London, Indian Flag Torn
The Lion’s Reign of the New Year
Related Posts
The Rise of Islamist Extremism in Bangladesh: Political Instability and Global Influences
Bangladesh at a Crossroads: The Rise of Religious Conservatism Amid Political Transition
U.S. to Honor Controversial Bangladeshi Protesters, Sparks Debate
State Dept: No Recipient to Accept Madeleine Albright Group Award at IWOC
Are Farzana Rupa, Shakil Ahmed, and Other Seasoned Journalists’ Cases Finally Getting Congressional Attention?
Iran-U.S. Relations: A Timeline of Tensions and Turning Points
More News

Illegal Indian Immigrants Return Home on U.S. Military Plane

A U.S. military aircraft carrying illegal Indian immigrants landed at Amritsar Airport. Photo: NDTV A U.S. military aircraft carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants has landed in Amritsar, Punjab, India. As part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the plane arrived at Sri Guru Ram Dass Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday […]

Iranian Shadow Fleet Ship Under U.S. Sanctions Arrives in Bangladesh

The U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Thursday, March 13, on Iran’s Energy Minister Mohsen Paknejad and several Hong Kong-flagged vessels involved in covert oil transportation, according to British news agency Reuters. These ships were sanctioned for allegedly evading Western restrictions and secretly selling oil. According to a report by Spells, one of the 10 […]

“Largest Wildfire in Three Decades Forces Thousands to Evacuate in Northern Japan”

March 2, 2025: Thousands of people were evacuated from parts of northern Japan as the country’s largest wildfire in three decades raged unabated on March 2, leaving at least one person dead, officials said. Around 2,000 people fled areas around the northern Japan city of Ofunato to stay with friends or relatives, while more than […]

Tesla Recalls 2,431 Cybertrucks Over Drive Inverter Fault

Tesla is recalling 2,431 Cybertrucks due to a potential issue with their drive inverters that could result in a loss of power to the wheels. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) noted that this fault could “increase the risk of a crash.” However, Tesla stated that no crashes, injuries, or fatalities have been reported […]

“Drill, Baby, Drill”: Trump Withdraws US from Paris Climate Agreement

In a controversial move, President Donald Trump has once again vowed to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement, the world’s most significant effort to combat rising temperatures. This decision echoes his first administration’s actions in 2017, which were promptly reversed by President Joe Biden on his first day in office in 2021. […]

Trump’s ‘$21 Million’ Remark Sparks Political Uproar in India

U.S. President Donald Trump recently claimed that his country spent $21 million to increase voter turnout in India’s elections. His statement has triggered intense political debate in the world’s largest democracy. A few days earlier, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, announced that this funding had been canceled as part of […]

Spielberg Reflects on Stopping ‘E.T.’ Sequel at TCM Festival

Steven Spielberg shared behind-the-scenes details about his decision to prevent a sequel to E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial during a conversation with star Drew Barrymore at the TCM Classic Film Festival: New York Pop-Up x 92NY on Saturday. The Oscar-winning director revealed that halting a follow-up to the beloved 1982 sci-fi classic was a “hard-fought victory” because […]

Police Submit Evidence File on Russell Brand to CPS for Possible Charges

Detectives are looking into Russell Brand for historical sex offense allegations and have sent evidence to prosecutors to consider possible charges. Brand has been interviewed by the police three times since a September 2023 investigation by the Sunday Times, the Times, and Channel 4’s Dispatches revealed claims of rape, sexual assault, and emotional abuse against […]

The Twilight of a Presidency: Joe Biden’s Legacy in the Light of Public Opinion

As the sun sets on Joe Biden’s presidency, the American public has rendered its verdict with a clarity that resonates through history. The latest CBS News/YouGov poll, conducted in the final days before his departure from office, paints a picture of a nation largely dissatisfied with the leadership it has experienced over the last four […]

Zendaya to Reunite with Tom Holland in Nolan’s Next Movie

Zendaya, famous for her role in Challengers, will star with her Spider-Man: Homecoming co-star (and real-life boyfriend) Tom Holland in Christopher Nolan’s next movie, Entertainment Weekly has confirmed. Anne Hathaway, who worked with Nolan on The Dark Knight Rises, is also in the cast, as is Matt Damon, who worked with Nolan on Oppenheimer. Both […]