Hindu Americans hold peaceful protest in Chicago, demand action for persecuted community in Bangladesh
By: Vandana Jhingan
Around 500 Hindu Americans gathered for a peaceful protest at the Rana Regan Center in Carol Stream, a Chicago suburb, to raise awareness about the atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh since August 2024. This event follows a similar rally held two months ago.
Mr. Haribhai Patel, President of Bhartiya Seniors of Chicago, welcomed the attendees and spoke out against the destruction of Hindu temples and the ongoing killings of Hindus in Bangladesh. Dr. Ram Chakroborty from Chicago Kali Bari outlined the dire situation, stressing that the Hindu community has been systematically targeted over the decades, citing past incidents in 1948, 1971, and 1975. He also revealed disturbing reports of army and police forces participating in the abduction and forced conversion of young Hindus. He emphasized the need for a “Hindu Desh.”
Mr. Siddhesh Shevade from HSS USA urged the crowd to contact their local and federal representatives to address the issue, while Mr. Nirav Patel from AASOA called for an economic boycott of Bangladeshi products. Mr. Hemant Patel from Sanatan Shakti Sansthan shed light on the staggering loss of Hindu life and culture, noting that the Hindu population in Bangladesh has plummeted from 33% in 1947 to just 6% today, and 40,000 temples have been destroyed.
Mr. Amitabh Mittal, General Secretary of VHPA, condemned the lack of attention given to Hindu suffering in contrast to the widespread support for groups like Hamas in the U.S. He reaffirmed that a Hindu nation is urgently needed as a solution to the violence.
Mr. Harish Kolasani from India Hub shared his emotional reaction to a disturbing video of college students being thrown from buildings in Bangladesh and vowed to bring the issue to local authorities. Ms. Laxmi Sarathy, a practicing Indian-origin lawyer, emphasized that Hindu Americans, as significant taxpayers, must demand action from elected officials to protect Hindus in Bangladesh.
Mr. Kalpesh Joshi from AAHOA pledged to gather more video evidence and work with elected officials to bring attention to the crisis. Mr. Rakesh Malhotra of OFBJP pointed out that protests in U.S. cities organized by 20 chapters of the OFBJP are calling for action, and even one Hindu death should not go unnoticed.
Ms. Vandana Jhingan, representing Hindu women, condemned the mass killings, forced conversions, and sexual violence faced by Hindu women in Bangladesh, urging the Nobel Prize committee to revoke the award given to Muhammad Yunus. Dr. Rashmi Patel of FIA encouraged the crowd to contact U.S. President Joe Biden and inform him of what she called the “biggest ongoing Hindu genocide.”
Dr. Bharat Barai concluded the event by citing the tragic decline of the Hindu population in Pakistan and Bangladesh since 1947. He called on the Indian government to grant residency to persecuted Hindus from these countries and to expel illegal immigrants, including the Rohingya.
The protest ended with passionate chanting and a collective pledge to continue advocating for the protection of Hindus in Bangladesh.
