In late 2024, a new group named the United Hindu Council took a bold step in raising awareness about the plight of religious minorities in Bangladesh by launching a series of digital ads throughout California’s Bay Area.
One billboard caught attention with its stark message: Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in Bangladesh are living in constant fear.
Another advertisement highlighted the recent arrests of Hindu monks, urging interim leader Muhammad Yunus to be held accountable.
The Political Context
The urgency of their message intensified following the political turmoil that erupted after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation in August.
Hasina had historically enjoyed support from the Hindu community, and her departure has sparked widespread concern among Hindus worldwide regarding a disturbing uptick in violence and discrimination against their community.
Advocacy organizations claim that the shift in political power has emboldened local residents to perpetrate acts of violence against Hindus, including property destruction, looting, and physical assaults.
Notably, the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and minority rights advocate, in November has amplified these worries.
Charged with sedition for allegedly disrespecting the national flag, his detention has led to significant protests and condemnation.
His ongoing confinement since January 2 of this year, combined with a denied bail request, has only heightened tensions.
Community Advocacy and Response
In response to these escalating threats, various Hindu organizations in the United States are rallying for national attention.
They have reported thousands of incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, claiming over 450 lives lost.
Last October, a banner declaring “End Hindu Genocide in Bangladesh” was flown over the Hudson River, symbolizing the urgent call for awareness.
Meanwhile, Sewa USA, dedicated to disaster relief, is working diligently to provide financial aid to those fleeing violence.
Ramya Ramakrishnan from the Hindu American Foundation highlighted a powerful sentiment within the community: many individuals want their voices heard and feel frustrated by what they view as media bias that misrepresents the struggles of Hindus in Bangladesh.
This desire for advocacy has prompted community members to take action.
Recently, two Hindu-American members of Congress, Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi, have stepped into the spotlight on this issue.
Khanna took to social media to share a promising conversation he had with Yunus, who assured him of the Bangladeshi government’s commitment to safeguarding Hindus and other minority groups.
Simultaneously, Krishnamoorthi addressed the House floor, shedding light on ongoing attacks, property destruction, and vandalism targeting temples.
He pressed his fellow lawmakers to take meaningful steps to protect religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Declining Hindu Population and Calls for Action
The Hindu population in Bangladesh has sharply declined to below 8%, a significant drop from 20% over the past decades, a trend linked to several historical events, notably the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971.
This devastating conflict subjected many Hindus to violence, resulting in mass displacement and migration, primarily to India.
Critics, including the Coalition of Hindus of North America, have voiced their concerns regarding Yunus’s apparent indifference to the challenges faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, calling for more lawmakers to advocate for change.
In various protests, demonstrators have gathered outside the Bangladeshi Embassy and even at Mar-a-Lago, where members of the Hindu Bengali Society of Florida came together to demand Krishna Das’s release.
Activists like Dilip Nath have shared the urgency of their cause, emphasizing the alarming frequency of violence against religious minorities and the desperate need for intervention.
Former President Donald Trump addressed the issue of violence against minorities in Bangladesh ahead of the last presidential election, criticizing his political rivals for neglecting these issues.
Post-election, he has continued to spotlight the chaos encountered by religious minorities in Bangladesh, reinforcing the need for immediate action.
Source: Religionnews
