In response to the recent surge of violence targeting Hindus in Bangladesh, U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has called on Secretary of State Tony Blinken to take immediate action. In a letter dated August 8, released to the press on Friday, Krishnamoorthi emphasized the importance of engaging directly with the interim government to halt this outbreak of violence and hold the perpetrators accountable.
Krishnamoorthi’s letter highlighted credible reports from major media outlets, including the New York Times, Times of India, BBC, and Reuters, which have documented the extent of the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. “I am writing to you regarding the fluid situation in Bangladesh and the rise of coordinated anti-Hindu violence in the wake of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. He stressed the urgency of U.S. intervention now that Muhammad Yunus has assumed the role of Chief Adviser for the interim government, urging Blinken to work with Yunus to end the violence and bring those responsible to justice.
Reports from the New York Times describe attacks occurring across various neighborhoods in the capital city of Dhaka, as well as in other major cities and numerous districts throughout the country. The Times reported that 60 people were killed in the violence following Hasina’s resignation. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council informed Reuters that 45 out of 64 districts in the country had witnessed targeted attacks on mostly Hindu homes, businesses, and temples this week. Additionally, Reuters reported that hundreds of Hindus are attempting to flee Bangladesh into India due to the religious violence.
Krishnamoorthi pointed out that this isn’t the first time anti-government protests in Bangladesh have escalated into anti-Hindu violence. He recalled the anti-Hindu riots in October 2021, which resulted in the deaths of nine people and the destruction of hundreds of homes, businesses, and temples. He also referenced the violence in 2017, where more than 107 Hindus were killed and 37 went missing, according to Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote. The anti-Hindu riots of 2013, following the International Crimes Tribunal’s conviction of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Delwar Sayeedi for war crimes, were particularly destructive, Krishnamoorthi noted.
“Instability in this region, fueled by religious intolerance and violence, is clearly not in the interest of the United States or our allies,” Krishnamoorthi stated. He urged Blinken to engage directly with Chief Adviser Yunus’ government, using U.S. influence to help end the violence and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The letter was prompted by the recent political upheaval in Bangladesh, where Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of an interim government on Thursday. His appointment followed the abrupt resignation of Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amidst deadly protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs. Yunus, 84, was administered the oath of office by President Mohammed Shahabuddin during a ceremony held at the presidential palace, Bangabhaban.
