A U.S. resolution introduced by Congressman Greg Landsman seeks to formally recognize the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, emphasizing the targeted killings of Hindus and demanding accountability for the Pakistan Army.
WASHINGTON, DC — A resolution in the U.S. House of Representatives aims to formally recognize the 1971 Bangladesh genocide, focusing on the systematic targeting of Hindus and calling for accountability for the Pakistan Army and its affiliates.
Introduced by Congressman Greg Landsman (D-OH), the measure seeks to highlight the atrocities committed during this dark chapter in history and urges the U.S. government to acknowledge the events as genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.
The resolution specifically condemns the actions taken during Operation Searchlight, which commenced on March 25, 1971. It notes that while ethnic Bengalis of all faiths were victims, Hindus were particularly singled out for extermination through mass killings, sexual violence, forced conversions, and displacement.
“History demands truth. The systematic campaign of terror launched by the Pakistani military on March 25, 1971 — documented by U.S. diplomats, journalists, and international observers — meets the United Nations definition of genocide,” Landsman stated.
In addition to recognizing the atrocities, the resolution rejects the notion of collective guilt among any ethnic or religious group. It calls on the President of the United States to formally acknowledge these acts as genocide and crimes against humanity.
“We owe it to the victims, the survivors, and future generations to acknowledge this horror, especially the deliberate targeting of Bengali Hindus. Formal U.S. recognition is long overdue and sends a clear message that we will not turn a blind eye to atrocities against religious minorities,” he added.
The resolution also emphasizes the need for the protection of religious minorities in Bangladesh, where ongoing concerns about the safety of Hindus and other minority communities persist.
Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director of HinduACTion, noted that advocacy groups have collaborated with diaspora communities to raise awareness about the issue.
The resolution presents documented evidence from 1971, including estimates of tens to hundreds of thousands of civilian deaths, the rape of over 200,000 women, widespread destruction of homes and places of worship, and the displacement of millions.
It highlights that nearly 80 percent of the victims were Hindus, despite them constituting only about 20 percent of the population at the time. Historical records cited in the resolution include U.S. diplomatic cables, accounts from journalists, congressional findings, and international legal assessments.
One report stated, “Nothing is more clear… Hardest hit were members of the Hindu community.” Another assessment found “overwhelming evidence that Hindus were slaughtered simply because they were Hindus.”
This resolution marks a significant step toward acknowledging the historical injustices faced by the Bengali Hindu community during the 1971 conflict, as well as a call to action for the U.S. government to take a stand against such atrocities in the future, according to IANS.