Not going to tolerate this one: Indian Americans protest against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

"March Against Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh" rally in Washington, D.C. / Courtesy Photo

Scores of Indian Americans on Dec.9 gathered in front of the White House in Washington DC to protest against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Raj Patel, an Indian American from Maryland, emphasized that Hindu lives matter and that Hindus are the most peaceful community in the world. 

The protest was part of the "March Against Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh” campaign held on the International Day of Commemoration for Genocide Victims.

The march was organized by StopHinduGenocide.org, Bangladeshi diaspora groups, and HinduACTion. They have also launched www.stophindugenocide.org to document alleged crimes against Hindus in Bangladesh.

The rally "March Against Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh" started in front of the White House and ended at Capitol Hill. Participants called for global recognition of the atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh and urged action to stop their ongoing persecution.

Shuvo Roy, one of the protesters, called on the Biden-Harris administration to pressure Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, to release Chinmaya Krishna Das, a Hindu monk who has been detained and allegedly tortured by Yunus' security forces.

“Hindus believe in generating jobs, businesses, and peace everywhere. But we have seen a lot of genocide over the years. Earlier, the genocide was during the Muslim invasion. Later, during the English occupation. And then in 1971, the Bangladesh genocide and the Kashmir genocide. And now, again, the current Bangladesh genocide. Enough is enough,” said Raj Patel.

Patel also urged the world leaders to not turn a blind eye towards the Hindu genocide. 

“It is very important. We are not going to tolerate this one. So we request taking action in Bangladesh, and we are very much hopeful for the US president-elect Trump. He already tweeted last month, and we thank him very much.”

Representatives from New York, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., gathered to protest the ongoing atrocities against religious minorities in Bangladesh.

"It is shameful that global institutions like the United Nations and the U.S. government have remained silent in the face of these violations," a protester remarked. "They have abandoned their obligation to protect religious minorities in Bangladesh."

Indian Americans gathered in front of White House in Washington DC to protest against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh / Courtesy Photo

"We are here to advocate for the safety and rights of Hindus in Bangladesh," said NJ-based Paula Saha, member of the Sanatani Hindu Society. "Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh, is a remarkable person. I don’t understand why his leadership coincides with the continued suffering of Hindus and the targeting of Islamists. He has expressed a desire to stop this violence, acknowledging that frequent changes in government have exacerbated the situation for Hindus.”

He added, “I appeal directly to Dr. Yunus to take decisive action to protect the Hindu community. This is not just about today but about securing a future for the next generation. If these atrocities continue, it will foster resentment and division. Please, save the Hindus—it’s a heartfelt plea for justice and humanity."

Nithyanand Chaudhary, another Indian American, alleged that there were 24 murders of Bangladeshi Hindus. 

"Houses are being demolished, and I feel it is my duty to address this issue," Chaudhary stated while speaking to New India Abroad.

The group presented a detailed report prepared by 14 organizations and submitted it to the United Nations Department of Peace Operations. The report calls for an immediate halt to the deployment of Bangladeshi armed forces as UN peacekeepers, highlighting allegations of their complicity in the persecution of minorities. "How can they be expected to uphold peace abroad when they are implicated in genocide at home?" asked the protesters.

Indian Americans gathered in front of White House in Washington DC to protest against attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh / Courtesy Photo

They also urged international financial institutions, including the Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank, to ensure Bangladesh complies with their gender and social justice policies before approving further loans. "These organizations must hold Bangladesh accountable for violating its international obligations and the principles these institutions stand for," the protest leaders demanded.

Additionally, the protesters appealed to global brands, including Zara, H&M, Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, Macy's, Walmart, and Target, to reevaluate their business relationships with Bangladesh. "The $48 billion export industry of ready-made garments must not come at the cost of human lives. These products are bloodstained with the suffering of religious minorities," they said.

The demonstrators called on these companies to pressure the Bangladeshi government to end persecution, warning that continued trade could imply complicity in the country's human rights abuses. "This is a collective responsibility. Silence and inaction are not acceptable," they concluded.

Dr. Kanchan Anand joined the protest in front of the White House, standing in solidarity with Hindus. “Anywhere in the world, we all have the right to live safe and secure. No one should be hurt. No one should be killed. This is genocide. We need to understand that it's high time we speak about this and stop this. The administration across the world, in the US and Bangladesh, and everywhere, needs to take action so that we can save people. When I go to the hospital and see patients, I don't look at their religion. I don't ask them, Are you Hindu? Are you Muslim? Are you Christian? Are you Sikh? What is your religion? We save all lives. Now, to watch people die and be killed, it's completely unacceptable. It breaks my heart.” 

Madhu Govil from Washington, DC, expressed her concern, “This is not acceptable at all. We do not see any voices or any media doing the coverage, which is very unfortunate. Hundreds of thousands of Hindus are being killed. Hundreds and thousands of women are being raped all the time, ever since the regime changed.”

Kanchan Chowdhury, another member of the Hindu community in the US, said: “I just want to say to the Bangladesh government, stop killing Hindu people. We want peace. And Hindus are very peaceful people.” 
 

"March Against Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh” campaign held on the International Day of Commemoration for Genocide Victims / Courtesy Photo

One of the protesters shared, “I was born British Bangladeshi and came here seeking freedom of religion. Looking back at Bangladesh, it’s heartbreaking to see what has happened to our community. In 1971, Hindus made up 30 percent of the population; now, it’s less than 8 percent—perhaps even as low as 2 percent. With every new government, our people have faced increasing suffering and persecution.”

“We want this to stop. We want to live in peace and practice our religion freely in Bangladesh.”

"March Against Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh" rally in Washington, D.C. / Courtesy Photo

Clinton Chaudhary added: “This is not the first time such atrocities have occurred—they have been happening since 1971. Hindus have never been granted their rightful place or protections in Bangladesh.”

“Over the years, governments have used Hindus as shields, but this must stop. The killing of Hindus and attacks on temples cannot continue. We all have the right to live peacefully in our own land, and efforts to erase the Hindu community from Bangladesh must end. Bangladesh is not just the land of one group—it is our land too, and we must preserve it for future generations.”