Washington:U.S. Congressman of Indian origin, Raja Krishnamoorthi, raised his concerns over the ongoing attacks on Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. Speaking on the issue in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, Krishnamoorthi highlighted that violence against minorities has escalated after the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.
During his address, Krishnamoorthi said, “I stand to raise my voice against the violence and persecution of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. During the country’s independence struggle in 1971, an estimated 3,00,000 to 3 million people were killed, most of whom were Hindus. Even today, Hindus in Bangladesh are being targeted—homes and businesses are being destroyed, and temples are being damaged.”
Claim of Increased Violence
Krishnamoorthi further noted that violence has surged since Sheikh Hasina stepped down from power. He added, “Since August, after Hasina’s resignation, the attacks have intensified. In just the month of August, over 2,000 incidents were recorded. I have discussed this issue with the U.S. State Department and called for action in Senate hearings, but we need to do more. The world is watching, and we cannot allow history to repeat itself.”
Recent Events Heighten Concerns
The situation in Bangladesh worsened following an incident on October 25 in Chittagong, where Chinmay Krishna Das was charged with sedition for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above the national flag. His arrest on November 25 led to violent clashes between protesters and the police. On November 27, a lawyer was killed in a scuffle outside the Chittagong court building.
Things escalated further when authorities began making more arrests. According to ISKCON Kolkata, two monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, who had visited Chinmay Krishna Das on November 29, were also detained. ISKCON Vice President Radha Raman reported that during the clashes, an ISKCON center in Bangladesh was also damaged by rioters.
Call for International Intervention
Krishnamoorthi emphasized the need for immediate action and urged his U.S. colleagues to take concrete steps to ensure the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh. The incidents of religious violence in Bangladesh have become a topic of international discussion. It remains to be seen what steps the international community and the Bangladeshi government will take to address this crisis.