Indian Americans Protest in Washington Against Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh

On December 9, scores of Indian Americans gathered in front of the White House in Washington, D.C., to protest against ongoing violence and discrimination targeting Hindus in Bangladesh. Raj Patel, a Maryland-based Indian American, underscored the peaceful nature of the Hindu community and declared, “Hindu lives matter. Hindus are the most peaceful community in the world.”

The event, part of the “March Against Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh” campaign, coincided with the International Day of Commemoration for Genocide Victims. Organized by StopHinduGenocide.org, Bangladeshi diaspora groups, and HinduACTion, the protest aimed to draw attention to alleged crimes against Hindus in Bangladesh. A dedicated website, www.stophindugenocide.org, was also launched to document these incidents.

The rally began at the White House and concluded at Capitol Hill, where participants called for international recognition of the atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh and demanded urgent action to end their persecution.

Shuvo Roy, one of the protestors, urged the Biden-Harris administration to exert pressure on Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, to release Chinmaya Krishna Das, a detained Hindu monk reportedly subjected to torture. “Hindus believe in generating jobs, businesses, and peace everywhere. But we have seen a lot of genocide over the years,” Roy remarked. “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.”

Raj Patel, echoing Roy’s sentiments, called on global leaders to address these issues. “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.”

Participants, including representatives from New York, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., expressed frustration at what they saw as international indifference. “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 said. “They have abandoned their obligation to protect religious minorities in Bangladesh.”

Paula Saha, a New Jersey-based member of the Sanatani Hindu Society, appealed to Yunus directly. “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,” Saha stated. She implored Yunus to take decisive action, adding, “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 protester, alleged that 24 murders of Bangladeshi Hindus had taken place recently. “Houses are being demolished, and I feel it is my duty to address this issue,” he said during an interview with New India Abroad.

A report compiled by 14 organizations was submitted to the United Nations Department of Peace Operations, calling for the immediate suspension of Bangladeshi armed forces from peacekeeping missions. Protesters argued, “How can they be expected to uphold peace abroad when they are implicated in genocide at home?” Additionally, the report demanded accountability from Bangladesh for the persecution of minorities.

Protesters also appealed to international financial institutions like the Asian Development Bank, International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank to ensure Bangladesh adheres to 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,” protest leaders asserted.

Global brands such as Zara, H&M, Calvin Klein, Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, Macy’s, Walmart, and Target were urged to reconsider their ties with Bangladesh. Protesters claimed, “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 demanded that these companies pressure the Bangladeshi government to end persecution, warning that continued trade could imply complicity in human rights abuses. “This is a collective responsibility. Silence and inaction are not acceptable,” they concluded.

Dr. Kanchan Anand, a physician and protester, emphasized the universal right to safety and security. “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,” she said. Reflecting on her professional experiences, she added, “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, D.C., expressed her concerns about the lack of media coverage. “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,” she said.

Kanchan Chowdhury, another member of the Hindu community, appealed to the Bangladeshi government to halt the violence. “I just want to say to the Bangladesh government, stop killing Hindu people. We want peace. And Hindus are very peaceful people.”

A protester who identified as British Bangladeshi shared her perspective: “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.”

Clinton Chaudhary added historical context, noting that such atrocities had been occurring 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,” he said. “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.”