Is the West prioritising their strategic and economic interests, overshadowing human rights issues? Bangladesh’s geopolitical significance is clearly influencing the level of international response. In fact the extent and nature of media coverage about the ongoing genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh is being downplayed by the western media, ensuing that it does not receive the necessary global focus, writes Dr Rakesh Sharma
The situation for Hindus in Bangladesh has become increasingly concerning, especially following the recent political upheaval. After the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, there have been numerous reports of violence against the Hindu minority. This includes attacks on temples, vandalism, and threats that have forced many to flee their homes. Protests have erupted both within Bangladesh and in neighbouring countries, highlighting the urgent need for action to ensure the safety and rights of all citizens.
Reports suggest more than 200 attacks in around 50-odd districts have taken place since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, according to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council. “There is deep apprehension, anxiety and uncertainty among minorities across the country,” the council said in an open letter.
It is the Hindus in rural areas of Bangladesh who are victims of violence. Chattogram saw the highest instances of attacks at 16. Khulna, Jessore, Dinajpur, Lalmonirhat and Magura are among the districts that saw a large number of attacks against Hindus.
The new interim government in Dhaka led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has promised to protect minorities and provide compensation to victims, but the fear and uncertainty remain high among the Hindu community. Deeply anguished at the situation Sumon Kumar Roy, a Hindu political leader, said, “Bangladesh is crying, Bangladesh is burning, we can’t take it anymore.” Mr Roy said his community was not currently safe under any government. “One party thinks that we support Awami League, so it’s [legitimate] to torture us, to occupy our lands, and loot us.”
The interim government’s tone and mannerism since taking over has deeply polarised the establishment including bureaucracy wherein students are acting as a demanding block and calling for action against perceived corruption by people close to Awami League. Anything against AL leaders and their associates is being proliferated on social media which on one hand is being celebrated by the public as well as giving more legitimacy to the Yunus administration.
However, the lack of practical experience to govern and that is the reason why it is unable to contain the violence and hooliganism. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is playing its part in polarising and vitiating the atmosphere, so that it is able to grab power through violence as soon as the students withdraw and the interim government’s term ends, in the event of elections. Other political fronts are expected to utilise this time in trying to polarise the atmospherics and attempt to gravitate people towards their party.
The escalating violence has instilled widespread fear among the Hindu community, both in Bangladesh and within the diaspora in the United States. The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has reported a terrifying scale of aggression, including sexual violence against Hindu women, further exacerbating the community’s distress.
CoHNA has criticised the lack of media coverage on the targeted nature of this violence, arguing that the Hindu minority’s plight is overshadowed by broader geopolitical tensions. CoHNA fears another catastrophic loss of life if immediate measures are not taken. They have highlighted the ongoing persecution, noting the historical and current threats faced by the Hindu minority, which constitutes less than eight percent of Bangladesh’s population.
They have called on US lawmakers, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, to closely monitor the situation and pressure Bangladeshi authorities to protect Hindu citizens.
And yet the US itself has not been pushing for accountability. The silence of the international community on the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh can be attributed to several factors. Is the West prioritising their strategic and economic interests, overshadowing human rights issues? Bangladesh’s geopolitical significance is clearly influencing the level of international response. In fact the extent and nature of media coverage about the ongoing genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh is being downplayed by the western media, ensuing that it does not receive the necessary global focus.
The violence and threats that have been directed at the minority community has left some feeling betrayed so soon after the jubilation of victory. Dip Sarkar is a student from Khulna who risked death and injury to join the student protests says, “I did not join the [quota protests] as a Hindu and I didn’t consider those by my side as Muslims or any other religion,” “Now, not only is my community being attacked, but there is anarchy all over the country. I am traumatised by the brutality and our treatment in the country I fought to reform. Currently, this country has antipathy towards Hindus. We have always just been used for political gain.” He blames “terrorists” and fundamentalist parties, saying they have capitalised on the chaos to strike.
There have been significant protests in New York against the recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. A large crowd gathered outside the United Nations headquarters, demanding protection for Hindus and other minorities. These protests were organised by various groups, including HinduACTion, a Washington-based NGO. The demonstrators called for immediate action to ensure the safety and rights of minorities in Bangladesh. The protests have drawn attention to the urgent need for international intervention and support. Protesters held placards reading ‘Save Hindus’, “Hindu lives matter”, and demanded ‘Justice’.
On August 14, a large crowd of nearly 750 protesters gathered for a demonstration organised in Atlanta by the Hindu community and its supporters to highlight the atrocities being committed against minorities in Bangladesh after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government there. Demonstrators carried banners, placards, and both American and Indian flags while chanting slogans such as “Hindu lives matter” and “United Nations, wake up.” Organisers stressed the importance of global Hindu unity in preventing similar acts of violence from spreading to other regions.
There have been significant protests in London, with large crowds gathering outside the Houses of Parliament to condemn the violence, and yet The British government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has not been somewhat silent on the attacks against Hindus in Bangladesh. Baroness Sandip Verma of Leicester has written to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging immediate public condemnation and action to protect the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
There have been significant protests and vigils in Canada, including in Toronto and Winnipeg, where people from various communities have shown solidarity with Bangladeshi Hindus. These events have urged the Canadian government to take a stronger stance and press the interim government in Bangladesh to protect Hindus.
In a preliminary report on the protests and unrest in Bangladesh UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk has underlined the need for accountability for all those responsible for human rights violations and violence. The report states “There are strong indications, warranting further independent investigation, that the security forces used unnecessary and disproportionate force in their response to the situation.” However it falls short of mentioning the attacks on Hindus and vandalism of temples in the after the fall of the Hasina government.
Some Western news channels even dismissed reports of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh as disinformation. This despite the fact that interim government chief advisor Muhammad Yunus himself has officially condemned the attacks on minorities.
In fact, decisive US action could significantly help in preventing further violence and protecting the Hindu community in Bangladesh, and yet it has not been forthcoming. The absence of any sustained outrage and the lack of a muscular response from the Western governments has had a chilling effect.