A plane flying over New York City’s Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty displayed a banner reading “Stop Violence on Bangladesh Hindus,” as reported by news agency ANI. This action was part of a significant appeal from Hindu American groups aimed at urging the global community to intervene in the ongoing violence faced by Hindus in Bangladesh.
#WATCH | United States: Airline banner with 'Stop Violence on Bangladesh Hindus' seen over New York City's Hudson River and Statue of Liberty. pic.twitter.com/nZsRLtwLDl
— ANI (@ANI) October 4, 2024
Background on the Violence
The Hindu minority in Bangladesh has experienced significant violence, including the vandalism of businesses, destruction of temples, and other forms of targeted aggression. This unrest reportedly followed the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and has raised alarms about possible further conflict.
According to historical records, the 1971 genocide in Bangladesh, recognized by US Congress Resolution HR 1430 in 2022, resulted in the deaths of 2.8 million individuals and at least 200,000 predominantly Hindu women being raped. The aftermath has seen the Hindu population in Bangladesh shrink dramatically from 20% in 1971 to just 8.9% today.
Recent Reports of Targeted Violence
Current reports indicate that Hindus in Bangladesh are facing severe threats, including systematic impoverishment, lynchings, and kidnappings, impacting around 200,000 individuals. These incidents, which also include forced job resignations and property seizures, have created a critical situation for the estimated 13 to 15 million Hindus in the country.
With the Durga Puja festival approaching, concerns about potential unrest have led Bangladesh’s interim government to pledge necessary measures to ensure peaceful celebrations. Since August 5, 2024, there have been about 250 verified attacks and over 1,000 reported incidents against the Hindu community.
Appeals for Global Action
Sitangshu Guha, a member of the Bangladesh Hindu Community and one of the event’s organizers, expressed urgent concerns, stating, “Hindus in Bangladesh are on the verge of extinction. Hopefully, this will raise awareness among the civilized world and prompt the UN to take action to save the victims of militant Islamic forces in Bangladesh.” He emphasized the potential ramifications of a Hindu-free Bangladesh, warning that it could become “Afghanistan 2.0” and lead to militant activities spreading to neighboring countries, including India and the West.
Pankaj Mehta, an activist from the Interfaith Human Rights Coalition, called on the UN Human Rights Council to officially recognize the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, noting it as “the largest genocide since World War II.” He stated that organizations like The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Genocide Watch have already recognized these atrocities as genocide targeting the Hindu minority, urging the UN to follow suit.
Solidarity and Boycott Calls
Surjit Chowdhary, a founding member of Sree Gita Sangha in New Jersey, appealed to the Bangladesh government to halt violence against Hindus and resolve political disputes through democratic means. The rise of Islamist fundamentalism in Bangladesh is seen as a serious threat, potentially impacting India and its borders.
American humanitarian organizations are closely monitoring the situation, fearing it may escalate into a full-scale genocide. There are calls for a boycott of Bangladeshi garments, which account for 85% of the nation’s export earnings, until the violence stops and justice is served.
Executives of major companies that source garments from Bangladesh, including Walmart, H&M, and Target, are being urged to suspend shipments, as continuing economic support is viewed as enabling the violence against Hindus and other minorities.
The American Jewish community has expressed solidarity with the Hindu minority, drawing parallels to the violence inflicted by Hamas in Israel. Many are advocating for immediate action in Bangladesh to prevent further atrocities, similar to the global response to violence in Israel.
Documenting the Atrocities
The event was live-streamed on StopHinduGenocide.org, which aims to systematically document all acts of violence against Hindus, providing both historical context and information about the precarious future of the Hindu community in Bangladesh unless global intervention occurs.