Satish Singh Manhas
The recent surge of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has once again brought the vulnerability of minorities in the country into focus. Reports of Hindus being beaten, murdered, and women subjected to horrific assaults are emerging with alarming frequency. The recent low was witnessed when the radical Islamist groups have openly been pressurising Hindu-owned businesses to either sell beef-against their religious principles-or shut down their hotels and caffe’s altogether. Adding to the turmoil, these groups are now calling for a ban on ISKCON, a global humanitarian organization that has, in the past, contributed millions of dollars to support Bangladesh’s struggling economy. Despite this gravity of the situation, there is a deafening silence from international human rights organizations and global leaders and what to talk about the Yunus Government. The United Nations, which often prides itself on being a defender of human rights, has failed to take a meaningful action. This lack of intervention leaves Bangladeshi Hindus in a precarious “do or die” situation, where their survival as a community seems increasingly uncertain. India, as a regional power and home to a significant Hindu majority, faces mounting pressure and has a moral obligation to address this escalating crisis. Hindus, who constitute around 8-10% of Bangladesh’s population, have historically faced systemic discrimination and violence. But, the recent wave of attacks has reached the new extremes. Accounts of Hindu men being lynched, families being forcibly displaced, shops and businesses of Hindus being vandalized and temples desecrated underscore the deliberate and targeted nature of this violence. Hindu women, tragically, are bearing the brunt of this brutality, with numerous cases of sexual violence being reported. Radical Islamist factions, emboldened by the lack of accountability from the local police, army as well as civil administration are leveraging economic coercion as well. Hindu-owned shops and hotels are being forced to sell beef or close down, an act that violates their religious beliefs. The economic ramifications of this extreme are severe, with many Hindus losing their livelihoods and being pushed further into marginalization and starvation. Adding insult to injury, Islamist groups have begun vilifying ISKCON, an organization that has been instrumental in compelling humanitarian aid and fostering cultural exchanges and pressuring the Government for a ban. ISKCON’s past contributions, including millions of dollars in aid during economic crises, are now conveniently ignored by those seeking to further marginalize Hindus in Bangladesh and hell bent to create a havoc for them.
The Global Silence: The global response to these atrocities has been tepid at best. International human rights organizations, which are often quick to condemn violations elsewhere, have largely remained silent ignoring the most genuine cause of minorities in Bangladesh. This selective outrage raises questions about the sincerity and impartiality of these so called groups. The United Nations, too, has fallen short of its mandate to protect vulnerable populations be it Bangladesh or elsewhere. Its failure to address the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus undermines its credibility as a global institution committed to human rights. Resolutions and reports are of little comfort to those facing existential threats. What is needed is concrete action-such as international sanctions, targeted aid, and diplomatic pressure on the Bangladeshi Government to ensure the safety of its minority communities.
India’s Role and Responsibility: As Bangladesh’s immediate neighbor and a key regional power, India cannot afford to remain a passive observer and a mute spectator to these atrocities. The persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh is not just a humanitarian issue but also a matter of regional stability, security, and annihilation of a particular religion for no fault of theirs. India must take a multi-pronged approach to address the crisis like:
Diplomatic Pressure: India should engage in high-level diplomatic talks with the Bangladeshi Government, urging them to take immediate and decisive action to protect their Hindu population. This includes ensuring law enforcement agencies to act impartially and holding perpetrators of violence accountable.
Humanitarian Support: India should extend support to displaced Hindus by providing temporary asylum or offering economic assistance to those affected to avoid any annihilation. This gesture would not only provide relief but also send a strong message of solidarity. It will also encourage the Hindus in Bangladesh to put up a strong united front against the radicals as well as on the silence of the Government.
International Advocacy: India should leverage its growing influence on the global stage to raise the issue at forums like the United Nations and G20 so that Bangladesh Government is taken to an immediate task. Mobilizing international opinion and pressuring global powers to intervene is crucial for ensuring justice, rehabilitation, security and safety of the persecuted Hindus.
Sanctions and Trade Policy: If the Bangladeshi Government fails to act, India could consider imposing economic sanctions or revisiting its trade agreements. Such measures would demonstrate that the persecution of Hindus comes with tangible consequences and being a big brother to the Hindus world over, military intervention can also be thought over, when India can intervene to protect Bangladeshis in 1971 from their own brethren the Pakistani onslaught what is wrong in not doing so today.
Community Support: The Indian Government should collaborate with organizations like ISKCON in India and other civil society groups to provide legal, financial, and emotional support to affected families in Bangladesh.
A Wake-Up Call for the World: The plight of Bangladeshi Hindus serves as a grim reminder of the growing threat to religious minorities in South Asia and beyond. The silence of global human rights organizations and the inaction of the United Nations reflect a disturbing trend of selective advocacy. This bias undermines the very principles of equality and justice that these institutions claim to uphold. The situation in Bangladesh also highlights the urgent need for reforms within international organizations. The United Nations, for instance, must evolve from being a forum for discussions to a body capable of enforcing tangible action. Mechanisms for rapid intervention, such as peacekeeping forces or targeted sanctions, should be activated in cases of ethnic or religious violence.
A “Do or Die” Moment for Bangladeshi Hindus : For Bangladeshi Hindus, the current crisis is nothing short of existential. Without immediate intervention, an entire community risks being wiped out-either through forced conversions, displacement, killings, murders and outright violence. This “do or die” moment requires solidarity from all quarters-Governments, civil society, and ordinary citizens.
India, given its cultural and historical ties with Bangladesh, has a moral obligation to act decisively. Failure to do so would not only betray the principles of dharma and justice but also embolden those who seek to oppress minorities across the region in particular and globe in general.
Conclusion: The ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is a humanitarian crisis that demands immediate global attention. While radical elements continue to perpetrate atrocities with impunity, the international community, including India, must rise to the occasion without any delay. Failure to take an effective and immediate cognizance will leave many precious lives lost. Diplomatic pressure, economic leverage, and grassroots activism are all essential tools in ensuring justice for Bangladeshi Hindus. This is not merely a struggle for one community but a battle for the principles of tolerance, justice, and human dignity. The world must act now, for silence in the face of such injustice is complicity. It’s a ‘now or never ” situation. Wake up India, wake up world.
(The author is Prant Prachar Parmukh Saksham/Secretary Manhas Mahasabha J&K)
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