IndoUS Tribune stands with the Hindu community of Bangladesh
By Dr. Avi Verma, Publisher
As we celebrate India’s Independence Day on August 15th, a moment of pride and joy for the Indian community worldwide, we must also reflect on the dire situation unfolding in Bangladesh. The IndoUS Tribune extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Indian community on this significant day. However, the celebration is tinged with a somber note due to the horrific violence being perpetrated against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, a crisis that demands our collective attention and action.
The violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh has escalated to alarming levels following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5th.
The resignation of Hasina, who has since fled to India, has unleashed chaos and violence, particularly targeting the Hindu community, which has historically been aligned with her secular Awami League party. The IndoUS Tribune expresses its profound outrage at these atrocities, which have seen homes, businesses, and temples systematically attacked across 45 out of 60 districts in the country.
This crisis is not just a political upheaval; it is an ethnic and religious tragedy. The Hindu community in Bangladesh, which makes up about 8% of the population, has been left vulnerable to retaliatory attacks by mobs, who have met little resistance from local authorities. The violence has not only resulted in the destruction of property but has also instilled deep fear within the community, reminiscent of the dark days of the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, when Hindus were specifically targeted.
In response to these atrocities, global outrage has surged. Massive protests have been held in cities across the world, from London and Washington, D.C., to Tel Aviv. Even as Israel faces its own wartime struggles, a protest was held in Tel Aviv against the ethnic cleansing of Bangladeshi Hindus, demonstrating the global solidarity against these heinous acts. Protesters carried placards reading “Save Hindus” and “Hindu Lives Matter,” calling for immediate international intervention.
Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has taken decisive action by sending an urgent letter to the U.S. State Department, highlighting the severity of the situation in Bangladesh. His letter underscores the fact that 45 of the 60 districts in Bangladesh have witnessed brutal attacks on Hindu homes, businesses, and temples. The call for immediate international intervention is clear and urgent, as the world cannot afford to stand by while such atrocities continue unchecked.
The situation has become increasingly sensitive, with protests in the UK and the USA drawing significant attention to the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus. In London, protesters gathered outside the Houses of Parliament, while in Washington, D.C., crowds assembled in front of the White House, demanding justice for the victims and an end to the violence.
The interim government in Bangladesh has condemned the attacks as “heinous” and claims to be working with community leaders to ensure the safety of Hindus. However, the reality on the ground tells a different story, as the Hindu community remains in a state of constant fear. The international community’s response must be swift and unequivocal, demanding accountability and ensuring that such horrors do not go unanswered.
As we celebrate India’s Independence Day, let us also stand in solidarity with the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The IndoUS Tribune pledges its unwavering support and commitment to bringing global attention to their plight. We call on all nations to raise their voices, demand justice, and work towards a world where no one has to live in fear because of their faith or ethnicity.
