The dire situation of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh has once again been brought to attention by US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi.
He condemned the persistent violence and harassment against minorities, especially since Sheikh Hasina was removed as prime minister in August 2024, while speaking on the floor of the US House of Representatives on Tuesday.
He said, “I urge my colleagues to act now to protect Bangladesh’s religious minorities. The world is watching, and we cannot let history repeat itself.” Krishnamoorthi drew attention to the concerning increase in attacks on Hindus since the dismissal of Sheikh Hasina.
“Hindus in Bangladesh are still being targeted today their temples are being vandalized, and their homes and businesses are being destroyed,” he claimed.
In just one month following Hasina’s departure, more than 2,000 acts of violence against minorities were documented, the Congressman said. He reviewed the horrific events of the War of Independence in Bangladesh, which claimed between 300,000 to three million lives, the majority of them Hindu. He cautioned that if prompt action is not taken, history may repeat again.
Krishnamoorthi stated that he had engaged with the State Department and called for action in Senate confirmation hearings and urged his colleagues to act now to protect Bangladesh’s religious minorities.
He emphasised that it’s not the first time but Bangladesh has already witnessed discrimination. The anti-Hindu riots of 2013 and also riots of October 2021 have proved violence against Hindus.
