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British Indian MP raises alarm on anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh
Athwal called for an update from the foreign secretary regarding the UK’s engagement with Bangladesh’s newly elected government on the issue.
Jas Athwal / Image- X (Jas Athwal)
In response to reports of escalating anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh, Jas Athwal, the British Indian Labour MP for Ilford South, has urged the UK government to collaborate with Bangladeshi authorities to safeguard religious minorities.
Speaking in the UK parliament Athwal expressed deep concern over the increasing number of attacks targeting the Hindu community in Bangladesh. "Since last August, there have been reports of over 2,000 incidents of violence, most of which have been targeted against the minority Hindu community," he stated.
The MP also highlighted the case of Chinmoy Krishna Das, the former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), who remains in custody in Bangladesh. "I've seen further disturbing reports of the arrest and continuing custody of [Chinmoy Krishna Das]," Athwal said.
Since August there have been reports of more than 2,000 violent incidents in Bangladesh, mostly targeting the Hindu community.
— Jas Athwal MP (@Jas_Athwal) February 11, 2025
We must always stand firmly against anti-Hindu violence & support freedom of religion for all in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/Mz3JjzvX9Z
Athwal urged the UK government to take a firm stance on religious freedoms, stating, "The UK champions freedom of religion for all, and no one should be at risk of violence or targeted because of their beliefs."
Raising the matter in Parliament, he called on the Leader of the House to push for an update from the Foreign Secretary regarding the UK’s engagement with Bangladesh’s newly elected government on the issue.
In response, the Leader of the House acknowledged the severity of the situation, confirming that the Minister for the Indo-Pacific had recently visited Bangladesh and stressed the need for stronger protections for religious minorities. "The anti-Hindu violence that he describes in Bangladesh has now been raised already twice in this session and gets raised with me many times," she noted, promising to ensure an update from the relevant Minister at the earliest opportunity.
The violence erupted following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, leading to political unrest and a reported surge in attacks on Hindu communities. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council documented 2,010 incidents between August 4 and August 20, 2024, including attacks on 69 temples and numerous homes and businesses belonging to minorities.
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