Houston, Texas| Aug 12, 2024 : Over 300 Indian Americans and Bangladeshi Hindu immigrants gathered peacefully in Houston, Texas on Sunday, voicing outrage over what they called the rising wave of violence against Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh.
The demonstrators urged the Biden administration to step in quickly to ensure the safety of vulnerable religious groups in Bangladesh, a country now mired in unrest following the unexpected resignation and departure of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Hasina’s sudden exit on August 5 ended her 15-year tenure, but soon afterward reports emerged of widespread assaults on Hindu homes, temples, and businesses.
Speaking to PTI, Achlesh Amar, representing the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Hindu Action, condemned the targeted attacks. “We strongly oppose these assaults on Hindus for their pluralistic values. The government in Dhaka must act swiftly and ensure the perpetrators face justice,” he said.
The protest was coordinated by the Global Voice for Bangladesh Minorities and included participants from multiple Hindu organizations. Demonstrators carried banners with messages such as “Stop Hindu Genocide” and “Hindu Lives Matter.”
Deepti Mahajan, co-convener of Hindu PACT, warned of dire consequences if action was not taken: “With political upheaval in Bangladesh, the 10 million Hindus there face the threat of a looming genocide.” She pointed to horrifying accounts of killings, torture, and destruction of Hindu temples.
A Bangladeshi-American woman shared her grief, describing the trauma of hearing about such brutality. “So many innocent people have lost their lives. Sacred places have been torched, and women have suffered unspeakable abuse,” she said with emotion.
Organizers invoked the legacies of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr., urging peaceful yet determined advocacy for justice and equality.
The rally took place amid mounting international alarm over Bangladesh’s situation. The caretaker government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has pledged to investigate and put an end to what it called “heinous attacks” on Hindus and other minorities.
Hindus, who make up the largest minority group in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, have historically been a major support base for Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. Hundreds rally in Houston to protest Bangladesh violence. Aug 12, 2024
