Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar has called for immediate action from the U.S. Congress and government to address the alleged violence against minority Hindus in Bangladesh. Speaking on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday, Thanedar highlighted the destruction of Hindu temples, deities, and attacks on peaceful practitioners of the Hindu faith.
“The time has now come for the United States Congress to act and the U.S. government to act,” Thanedar declared. “Every possible tool in our hands needs to be used to ensure that such atrocities in Bangladesh against Hindus stop right away.”
Allegations of Escalating Violence
Thanedar alleged that the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh has worsened since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, citing a history of attacks on the minority community since the country’s independence in 1971.
“More recently, we have seen a Hindu priest being arrested and his lawyer being murdered,” he claimed, urging decisive intervention to prevent further harm to the community.
White House Responds
On Thursday, the White House stated that President Joe Biden is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby emphasized that the U.S. is holding the Bangladeshi interim government accountable for ensuring the safety of religious and ethnic minorities.
“The security situation in Bangladesh has been difficult following the ouster of the former prime minister,” Kirby said. “We are working closely with the interim government to enhance the capabilities of their law enforcement and security services to address these challenges.”
Support from Other Leaders
Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has also urged members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to take up the issue of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh during the upcoming confirmation hearing of Senator Marco Rubio, who has been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump for the position of Secretary of State. The hearing date is yet to be announced.
Protests and Public Outcry
The escalating violence has sparked widespread outrage among Indian-Americans, many of whom recently organized a march from the White House to the U.S. Capitol to draw attention to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. Protesters called for stronger U.S. intervention and measures to protect minority communities in the region.
A History of Struggle
Thanedar pointed to a long-standing pattern of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, which dates back to the country’s independence. He reiterated his commitment to fighting for justice and equality for all religious minorities in the region, urging bipartisan support to address these human rights violations.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes remain on the U.S. government and Congress to determine the next steps in addressing this growing humanitarian concern.
