VOM/ 11 August, 2024: A significant crowd assembled outside the White House in Washington on Friday to condemn the recent spate of violence reported against Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh following the resignation and departure of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina earlier this week.
Carrying both American and Bangladeshi flags, demonstrators raised placards urging protection for Bangladesh’s minority communities and demanding that “justice be served.” Many shouted slogans such as “We want justice” and called for peace and stability amidst the ongoing turmoil.
Participants included activists from human rights organizations, members of the Bangladeshi diaspora, and Indian-American Hindu allies. Supporters traveled from across the U.S., including Washington, Maryland, Virginia, and New York, to join the demonstration.
The protesters also appealed to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who recently assumed leadership of Bangladesh’s interim government, urging him to safeguard minority rights.
One of the participants, Shubho Roy, a Bangladeshi Hindu with family still in the country, voiced his concern about the precarious situation. He stressed the importance of a lasting framework that would guarantee dignity and safety for minority communities. “There must be a permanent solution that allows Hindus and others to live securely in Bangladesh,” he told ANI.
Roy further highlighted that many Bangladeshi Hindus had already been forced to flee their ancestral land after enduring decades of persecution, systematic discrimination, and repression. Standing near the White House, he urged the global community to pay attention: “We were displaced from Bharat, Akhand Bharat. We never belonged to Pakistan, yet we were forced out of India. Now we are asking the world to notice our suffering.”
Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his concerns in a post on X, wishing Yunus well in his new role while calling for the immediate protection of minority communities. “India remains committed to peace, security, and development while ensuring safety for Hindus and all other minorities in Bangladesh,” Modi stated.
Many of those gathered described their demonstration as an urgent cry for recognition from communities facing persecution thousands of miles away. Priyadarsh Saha, one of the organizers, urged American lawmakers to take a stand on behalf of Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and indigenous groups in Bangladesh. He emphasized that the Biden administration could play a key role in influencing the interim government and rallying global attention.
Protesters carried signs with messages like “End Religious Persecution in Bangladesh” and “Protect Minority Rights.” The call for international intervention and justice resonated strongly throughout the event.
Mahendra Sapa, representing the Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, reminded U.S. officials of the atrocities of the 1971 genocide, warning against repeating such mistakes. “The State Department and White House must learn from history and ensure these tragedies are never repeated,” he said.
The United Nations Secretary-General’s office also weighed in, urging all sides in Bangladesh to curb violence and stating its opposition to any racially motivated attacks or incitement.
Reports suggest that thousands of Hindus have fled Bangladesh for neighboring India to escape recent violence. Hindus, who comprise roughly 8 percent of Bangladesh’s population of 170 million, have historically supported Hasina’s Awami League, which has recently been under pressure following deadly clashes between anti-quota protesters and security forces.
Several American lawmakers, including Republican Congressman Pat Fallon and Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, have also spoken out, voicing concern about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
