A Hindu advocacy organisation has urged the US Congress and the Biden administration to take stronger action in response to what it describes as a sharp deterioration in the condition of religious minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh and Pakistan, citing rising violence, intimidation, and systemic persecution.

Speaking on the sidelines of an exhibition at the US Capitol, Utsav Chakrabarty of HinduAction said the group was actively engaging with lawmakers and congressional staff to draw attention to the plight of Hindu communities in South Asia through immersive exhibits, documentary screenings, and direct policy briefings.

Chakrabarty said the initiative aims to “sensitize members of Congress and their staffers” to ground realities faced by Hindus in countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, where minority communities, he argued, are increasingly vulnerable amid political and ideological shifts.

Referring to Pakistan, Chakrabarty said Hindus constitute “barely one and a half percent of the population” despite being indigenous to the region for thousands of years. He alleged that members of the community face abductions, forced religious conversions, and human trafficking, particularly involving underage girls.

“We have people here who are working directly with refugees in India, as well as with Hindus in Pakistan,” he said. “They are trying to rescue underage Hindu girls who are often kidnapped, forcibly converted, and trafficked.” Chakrabarty described the Capitol Hill exhibition as a “comprehensive experience” designed to provide US policymakers with firsthand insights into these issues.

Turning to Bangladesh, Chakrabarty recalled the country’s violent separation from Pakistan in 1971 and cited historical atrocities committed against Hindus during the conflict. He alleged that millions of Hindus were killed during that period and warned that the community now faces renewed threats following recent political developments.

According to Chakrabarty, the influence of Islamist groups, including Jamaat-e-Islami, has increased significantly over the past year and a half. He claimed that following a recent change in government, violence against Hindus has escalated, with reports of assaults, killings, public humiliation, and the destruction of homes and places of worship.

“Almost on a daily basis, we are seeing incidents of violence against Hindus,” he alleged, adding that these developments have generated “tremendous anger and sadness” among Hindu communities worldwide. HinduAction plans to raise these concerns during a formal congressional briefing expected around February 10.

When asked whether US lawmakers have shown sufficient awareness or urgency regarding the treatment of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh, Chakrabarty responded negatively. He said Congress must “rise to the occasion” and address the issue “more aggressively and more factually.”

“One of the reasons why the US Congress has not paid enough attention is ignorance,” he said, arguing that policymakers often lack detailed information about religious persecution in South Asia. HinduAction’s outreach efforts, he added, are intended to bridge that knowledge gap.

Chakrabarty said Hindu Americans have a responsibility to ensure that US institutions, including Congress, the White House, and the State Department, are fully informed and take meaningful steps to protect vulnerable minority communities abroad.

“We believe that as Hindus in America, we have a role to play in making sure our lawmakers act to protect these communities,” he said.