A group of expatriate Bangladeshi Hindus is urging the Indian government to seek UN sanctions against Bangladesh to protect Hindus and religious minorities facing increasing violence. The group emphasizes a need for international intervention and the completion of historical population exchanges to secure minority rights in Bangladesh. Through a proposed five-point action plan, they aspire to address ongoing persecution and advocate for protective measures.
A collective of expatriate Bangladeshi Hindus has recently petitioned the Indian government to advocate for United Nations sanctions against Bangladesh amid rising concerns regarding the safety and rights of Hindus and religious minorities in the country. This group, connected with the Global Bengali Hindu Coalition, is currently in New Delhi engaging in discussions with Indian political figures to emphasize the impact of the deteriorating situation for Hindus following the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh.
During a press conference held at the Foreign Correspondents Club, the group proposed a five-point action plan aimed at safeguarding the rights of Hindus and other minorities, as well as indigenous and tribal communities under what they describe as a “hostile and pro-jihadist illegal government” in Bangladesh. They have called upon the Indian government not only to seek global intervention but also to facilitate the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces in Bangladesh to ensure the protection of these vulnerable groups.
Additionally, the group has urged for the completion of the 1947 population exchange, which they argue is necessary to enable secure resettlement for displaced minorities. They assert that the current regime in Bangladesh has demonstrated repeated failures in upholding human rights and the dignity of religious minorities, hence their request for targeted UN sanctions and reassessment of peacekeeping contributions from Bangladesh, one of the largest contributors to UN missions worldwide.
Sitangshu Guha, an influential leader within the group, reiterated India’s historical role in supporting Bangladeshi liberation and voiced optimism about India’s capability to assist the approximately 20 million Hindus currently facing peril in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the Indian government is reportedly engaged with the interim Bangladeshi administration regarding concerns surrounding reported abuses against Hindus and other minorities since the political upheaval. While the interim government contends that claims of persecution are exaggerated, group members assert that recent harassment and assaults against Hindus continue to persist unabated.
The group’s advocacy stems from a collective narrative of decline, highlighting a significant reduction in the Hindu population in Bangladesh from 22% in 1951 to 7.95% in 2022, attributing the ongoing injustices faced by Hindus to insufficient protective measures from successive governments. A report from the Bangladesh United Sanatani Awakening Alliance has corroborated these claims, noting multiple instances of violence against Hindu properties and individuals, further intensifying the urgency of their calls for international intervention and support.
The plight of Hindus in Bangladesh has become a focal point for diaspora communities, particularly following significant political changes in the country. After the ouster of the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in August, reports of violence against religious minorities have surged. The expatriate Bangladeshi Hindu community, primarily based in Europe and North America, has increasingly expressed alarm over the deteriorating conditions for Hindus and indigenous groups within Bangladesh. These concerns have prompted a formal appeal to the Indian government for intervention at international platforms, highlighting a historical context of religious and demographic challenges faced by Hindus in the region.
The expatriate Bangladeshi Hindu group’s appeal highlights a crucial intersection between international diplomacy and the protection of minority rights. Their requests for UN sanctions and the establishment of protective measures underscore the urgent need for global awareness and intervention regarding the challenges faced by Hindus in Bangladesh. With a significant decline in their population and ongoing threats against their community, the call for decisive action from India could potentially reshape the future for Hindus in Bangladesh and restore a sense of security for this beleaguered minority.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
