Sumit Maluja
Bangladesh has long been known for its multi-ethnic and multi-religious society. India has traditionally enjoyed strong and cordial relations with Bangladesh, and the people of India stood in solidarity with Bangladesh’s fight for independence. During the 1971 Liberation War, Indian soldiers fought alongside the Bangladeshi people, laying down their lives to free the country from the exploitation and genocidal violence inflicted by Pakistan. However, in recent years, the situation in Bangladesh has deteriorated significantly, especially with regards to the safety and rights of religious minorities.
The events of August 5, 2024, in Bangladesh evolved rapidly, culminating in the ousting of a constitutionally elected government. The student protests were systematically manipulated and hijacked by fundamentalists with their own agenda, involving both internal and external forces. In the wake of these events, an interim government headed by Prof. Muhammad Yunus was established, but the country now faces a reign of chaos, instability, and mobocracy. The challenges of governance are immense, with the primary concern being the complete breakdown of law and order.
Over the decades, Bangladesh’s religious minorities—particularly Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and other groups—have seen their numbers dwindle, from 25 percent of the population in 1971 to just 9 percent today. These communities have long been targeted, but the violence unleashed since August 5, 2024, has been the most sustained and brutal in recent history. The attacks on their economic livelihoods and homes, the destruction of their temples and businesses, and the systematic campaign to drive them out of the country are reminiscent of the atrocities of 1971. Never has there been such widespread violence and indignity toward religious minorities in Bangladesh.
Since August 5, 2024, the human rights situation in Bangladesh has sharply deteriorated, plunging religious minorities into a state of despair. These communities now face daily threats, with no legal recourse or protection. Fundamentalist groups, political parties, and organizations controlling the decision-making processes in Bangladesh are complicit in these atrocities. Innocent women and children have been killed, raped, and subjected to torture. Places of religious worship have been desecrated, looted, and destroyed. The current regime of Bangladesh has failed to take meaningful action to protect these vulnerable communities, choosing instead to remain silent in the face of ongoing persecution.
The international community, including the people of India and all religious groups, is deeply concerned about the situation in Bangladesh. If left unchecked, this violence could spill across borders and create instability in the region. It is imperative that immediate action be taken to stop the persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.
We Demand:
The protection of human rights in Bangladesh, in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, international human rights laws, and conventions. Human rights issues must be addressed with objectivity, without politicization. The genocide of Hindus and other minorities must cease immediately.
Immediate cessation of all atrocities against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh is essential. Denying these incidents as mere ‘media propaganda’ only grants impunity to those committing the atrocities and further intensifies the suffering of vulnerable communities.
The immediate release of ISKCON Sannyasi Pujya Shri Chinmay Krishna Das from unjust imprisonment and continuous torture.
We urge the current regime of Bangladesh to take every possible measure to prevent the ongoing atrocities against Hindus and other religious minorities.
We call upon the international community to stand with the victims of these atrocities and to demand that the Bangladesh government take immediate action to protect all religious minorities.
We appeal to your office to take all necessary initiatives to stop the ongoing persecution and atrocities in Bangladesh, in the best interests of bilateral and regional peace, friendship, and security.
In Bangladesh Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and other religions must be allowed to co-exist peacefully. Intolerance against religious minorities must stop immediately.
At this critical juncture, we stand with the victims of religious violence in Bangladesh and express our solidarity with them. We call for urgent action to halt the atrocities and ensure that the rights of all religious communities are respected, protected, and upheld.