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Indian diaspora body calls for action on Bangladesh’s radicalization
FIIDS urges the U.S. administration to press Bangladesh’s interim government to release Chinmoy Krishna Das, protect ISKCON, and prevent violence against minorities.
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Khanderao Kand, president and chief of the Policy and Strategy Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), has written to the top American leadership sharing the concern of the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) over the increasing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and the growing radicalism under the interim government.
The letters of concern were sent to President-elect Donald Trump, his Transition Team, Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Waltz, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Vivek Ramaswamy, as well as to President Joe Biden, Secretary Antony Blinken, IRF Ambassador Rashad Hussain, and Erin D. Singshinsuk, Executive Director of USCIR.
Recent incidents, including the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari on Nov. 25, efforts to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), and attempts to remove the word “secular” from the Constitution, have raised serious alarm.
Kand stated, “I strongly condemn Bangladesh for its atrocities against minorities, the arrest of a Hindu monk, and its shocking attempt to ban the humanitarian religious minority organization, ISKCON, while ignoring jihadi extremist organizations.”
Urgent attention of @realDonaldTrump & transition team @michaelgwaltz @TulsiGabbard @VivekGRamaswamy @SenMarcoRubio to atrocities against minorities in #Bangladesh , arrest of Hindu monk, attempt to ban @IskconInc & becoming #Radical #islamic_state . @Yunus_Centre @khanderao pic.twitter.com/zASNdXQGQV
— FIIDSUSA (@FIIDSUSA) November 27, 2024
Taking a stance on the incident he said, “Bangladesh is rapidly descending into a radicalized Islamic state, all under the watch of the US, the State Department, and the UN, who must act now to restore democracy and protect minorities. I request not only President Biden but also President Trump and his transition team to give priority to restoring peace and protecting minorities in Bangladesh.”
The organization also highlighted the historical challenges faced by minorities, particularly Hindus, who have endured systemic violence and a steady decline in population over the decades. FIIDS calls for immediate action to protect minority communities and uphold secular values in Bangladesh.
The letter also mentioned that during the 1971 Liberation War, three million people were killed, with Hindus disproportionately targeted in what is widely considered genocide. Since 1947, the Hindu population in Bangladesh has declined from 20 percent to less than 8 percent, driven by decades of violence, forced conversions, and discrimination.
Political unrest following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure has intensified minority persecution in Bangladesh. Over 200 attacks on temples, ISKCON centers, and minority neighborhoods have occurred, while the government seeks to ban ISKCON, labeling it a “religious fundamentalist organization.”
The organization urges the U.S. administration to take decisive action to address the crisis in Bangladesh. This includes pressing the interim government to release Chinmoy Krishna Das, protect ISKCON, and prevent violence against minorities.
Additionally, advocating for justice for the 1971 genocide and other historical injustices is essential. The U.S. must also prioritize the rights of Bangladeshi minorities in its foreign policy and oppose efforts to remove “secular” from the Constitution, reinforcing democratic and inclusive principles.
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