Why is media not covering genocide in Bangladesh?

On Dec.18, 2024, a press conference was held by Congressman Shri Thanedar at the Capitol Hill.  / Shri Thanedar

Did you know that since Aug.5, 2024, news of the unrelenting attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh have been subverted by the mainstream media? Why is there no news coverage on the treacherous killings of Hindus, the desecration of Hindu Mandirs (Hindu temples), land grabbing, mob attacks after false blasphemy charges, rapes/forced conversions, and the hate speeches?
 
A study by Prof. Abul Barakat of Dhaka University revealed that no Hindus will be left in Bangladesh by 2050 due to the systemic and institutionalized persecution imposed upon them by radical Islamists.

Press conference by Thanedar  

On Dec.18, 2024, a press conference was held by Congressman Shri Thanedar at the Capitol Hill.  Members of the American Hindu community from New York attended the conference, led by Utsav Chakraborty, Executive Director of HinduACTion.
 
Congressman Thanedar stressed, “Whether at home or abroad, we cannot remain silent while innocent people are subjected to unspeakable acts of violence due to their religious beliefs.” He added, “And the United States has a storied history of championing the oppressed, and this issue should be no different. When we receive a global call for help, we must respond appropriately as the world’s bellwether of human rights.” “This is unacceptable, and I call upon my colleagues to stand together and strongly condemn these forms of aggression and hate,” he further added. “Since the start of this deadly conflict, I have sent multiple letters to the Department of State and Treasury suggesting immediate, tangible steps for Humanitarian Protection, Congressional Oversight, and Targeted Sanctions.” All to no avail!  

Arrests of Hindu monks

On Nov.25, 2024, Chinmay Krishna Das Prabhu, a Hindu monk and an advocate for the rights of Bangladeshi minorities, was unlawfully arrested by the Bangladesh police and security agencies at Dhaka Shahjalal International Airport. He was taken to an undisclosed location, raising serious concerns for his safety.
 
Chinmay Krishna Das Prabhu, a disciple of Lord Krishna and an ISKCON monk, has been a steadfast supporter of Bangladeshi minorities, who face relentless oppression from radical Islamic Jihadi groups like Jamaat-e-Islami backed by the Bangladesh government. ISKCON, alongside other Hindu minority groups, has tirelessly served Bangladesh in its times of need by providing food, shelter, and medical aid to victims of natural disasters — yet the Hindu community remains a target of violent persecution simply for practicing Hinduism that differs from the majority. 

I just received the shocking news that Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu monk & the face and leader of Bangladeshi minorities in this difficult times, has been arrested by the Dhaka police and taken to an undisclosed location. Kind attention @ihcdhaka @DrSJaishankar… pic.twitter.com/J9MszoBUvy

— Radharamn Das राधारमण दास (@RadharamnDas) November 25, 2024

Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government, the situation for minorities in Bangladesh has deteriorated further. Under the current caretaker government led by Muhammad Yunus, atrocities against Hindus and other non-Muslims have escalated, including targeted attacks, targeted killings in the name of blasphemy, destruction of temples, rape of minority women and systemic discrimination. Chinmay Krishna Das Prabhu's vocal advocacy for the rights to safety, freedom, and faith has made him a primary target. His arrest appears to be an attempt to silence this voice of resistance and advocacy. 

#Breaking: Stick-wielding thugs attacked the unarmed #Hindu students and others gathered to protest the unjust, unfair and motivated arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das at #Dhaka University.

Videos: @Kalbelaonline.#FreeChinmoyPrabhuNow #AllEyesOnBangladeshiHindus #BangladeshCrisis pic.twitter.com/MszG3A7V6t

— Bangladesh Watch (@bdwatch2024) November 25, 2024

Massive protests have erupted across Bangladesh, with thousands gathering in major cities like Dhaka to demand justice and his safe release. However, peaceful Hindu protests are being attacked by pro-Islamic mobs with the apparent complicity of the authorities. 

Need for long term safe zones 

Utsav Chakrabarti spoke about the need for long term safe-zones for Hindus in Bangladesh - along the same lines as Buryatia (Russia), or Kosovo. “Radical Islamists cannot be allowed to control the entirety of Bangladesh,” he added.

Legacy media betrays Hindus again

Question remains: Why did CNN lie? It falsely stated, “No Hindu temples were set on fire,” with fake online images of young people guarding Hindu temples? The truth was “A mob attacked our temple,” wrote the Temple Director of ISKCON Hindu temple, in Meherpur. 

Western media outlets and many of their progressive-leaning cheered the rebellion and framed it with disinformation such as an end to fascism and the restoration of democratic rule. The legacy media made completely false, outrageous and deviously salacious claims! This presentation highlights the media bias against Hindus by the author. And this presentation too.
 
Leaked documents from The Grayzone state that the State Department of the United States was informed of efforts by the International Republican Institute (IRI) to advance an explicitly stated mission to “destabilize Bangladesh’s politics.” The United States government spent millions in the lead-up to Hasina’s overthrow, covertly coaching opposition parties and establishing a regime change network concentrated among the country’s urban youth. Among the front-line foot soldiers were rappers, ethnic minority leaders, LGBT activists hosting “transgender dance performances” in the presence of US embassy officials – all groomed to facilitate what the US intelligence called a “power shift” in Bangladesh.

Silence of Biden administration? 

Why has the Biden administration been stone-deaf silent to the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh? Why? Why? Was the Biden Administration and the State Department working in concert with the radical Islamist Jihadists? It has certainly struck a nerve with American Hindus. While Presidential candidate Trump made a strongly supportive statement to oppose the Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh. No, President Biden, your silence on the recent accelerated genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh is a stark injustice under your watch.
 

Silence of United Nations Forum

On Dec.8, 2024, at the United Nations Forum on Minority Issues in Geneva, Speaker Dipen Mitra stated, “If we fail to protect the Hindus of Bangladesh today, we fail humanity itself.” He added, “This is not just about one country; it is about the future of human rights everywhere. Let us rise to the challenge and stop this blatant crime staring at us every day.” To date, no action has been taken by the United Nations. 
 

Krishnamoorthi requested US State Department for briefing

 

On Oct.17, 2024, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi requested a briefing before Oct.31, 2024, from the State Department on reports of “the rise in harassment and violence against Hindus” and other minority communities in Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “I respectfully request a briefing by Oct.31, 2024, on the treatment of religious minorities in Bangladesh and the State Department’s efforts to promote the security and safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh, including during the Durga Puja festival, in addition to an assessment of the efforts of Bangladesh’s government to combat violence against religious minorities and prevent additional attacks,” he wrote. US Congressman Shri Thanedar has also raised the issue of safety and security of Hindus in Bangladesh before. “Sadly”, he added in a letter to Blinken, “this is not the first time that anti-government protests in Bangladesh have metastasized into anti-Hindu violence. The anti-Hindu riots in October 2021 left nine people dead amidst the destruction of hundreds of homes, businesses and temples. In 2017, more than 107 Hindus were killed and 37 ‘disappeared’ according to Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu. The anti-Hindu riots of 2013, following the International Crimes Tribunal conviction of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Sayeedi for war crimes, were especially destructive.”
 
In this ongoing genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh, a frightening display of political moral inversion is happening. On the streets of Mymensingh town in Bangladesh, a brutal murder has left the Hindu community numb. Swapan Kumar Bhadra, a 65-year-old Hindu journalist and Vice-president of the Tarakanda Press Club, was recently hacked to death in broad daylight in front of his home. Known for his fearless reporting on injustices against minorities. Swapan’s brutal murder raises serious concerns about the culture of impunity in Bangladesh, particularly when it comes to crimes against the minority Hindu community.
 
In the wake of multiple reports of vandalism of Hindu deities (moortis) along with looting and burning of Hindu Mandirs (temples), Hindus were denied permission to worship in Bangladesh. For example, the recent Durga Puja was banned by the interim government and various Muslim bodies denying permission. Furthermore, Hindus were asked to maintain silence during Namaz offerings and pay Rs 5 lakh each as ‘jizya.’ Jizya was a tax paid by non-Muslims to Muslim rulers in Islamic states. Of note, Hindu Mandirs were vandalized by anti-Hindu Islamists at Batrish Residential Area near Narasunda Road in the Kishoreganj district headquarters.
 
Soon-to-be US President Donald Trump, we Hindu Americans request your lightening intervention.
 

1. Demand the safe and unconditional release of Chinmay Krishna Das Prabhu from Bangladeshi authorities. 
2. Call for an independent investigation into his detention and treatment. 
3. Urge the Bangladesh government to protect its minority communities from persecution and violence. 
4. Support monitoring mechanisms to ensure the safety of minorities and prevent further violence. 

 
Conclusion 

This is not just a matter of regional concern but a global human rights crisis. Immediate action is essential to save Chinmay Krishna das Prabhu from potential torture and to prevent further atrocities against the most vulnerable Hindu and other minority communities. President elect Trump’s support is vital in ensuring the safety of those who cannot defend themselves.

President Trump’s timely intervention can save lives and uphold the principles of justice and humanity. Hate crimes against Hindus are triggered by indoctrination of anti-Hindu hate/bigotry in certain Islamist countries. A hidden form of anti-Hindu hate exists in the mainstream media and in the academic institutions leading to Hinduphobia and hate crimes like the recent attacks on Hindu places of worship in the USA.
 

Questions remain 

1.    Will President-elect Trump act on his first day of office to cease the genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh? 
2.    Why has the mainstream media subverted the NEWS about the ongoing Hindu Genocide and the ethnic cleansing of Hindus in Bangladesh?  
3.    Why did the authorities in Bangladesh fail to provide adequate protection to vulnerable Hindu communities? 

 

The author is the Associate Clinical Professor, University of California Irvine.

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of  New India Abroad.)