NEW DELHI: The Global Bengali Hindu Coalition (GBHC) highlighted the dire circumstances faced by Hindus, other religious minorities, indigenous people, and tribal groups in Bangladesh. The GBHC held a press conference yesterday at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of South Asia, marking a crucial step toward raising global awareness and seeking international intervention to address what the coalition described as a “humanitarian crisis” under Bangladesh’s current interim government.
Speakers at the event emphasized the stark decline in the Hindu population in Bangladesh, which has plummeted from 22% in 1951 to 7.95% in 2022, according to the Bangladesh Census. Economist Professor Abul Barakatโs projection that the Hindu population could reach zero by 2046 was cited as a grave warning. The coalition attributed this decline to systemic violence, forced conversions, and displacement.
โWhile the partition of India in 1947 led to a population exchange in Punjab, Bengalโs exchange remains incomplete. It is time to revisit this unfinished process to ensure the safety and dignity of minorities,โ the GBHC stated.
ALSO READ: MoD signs Rs 2,867 crore contracts to enhance submarine capabilities
Since August 5, 2024, the GBHC reported a surge in violence against minorities under the interim government led by Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus. Over 65 temples were vandalized, with incidents of looting, arson, and forced occupation of cremation grounds. The coalition highlighted specific cases, such as the attack on the Krishna temple in Shariatpur and the vandalism of the Fultala Central Crematorium in Dinajpur.
The resignation of Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five Appellate Division judges under political pressure was also discussed. โThe erosion of judicial independence and the systemic misuse of power to suppress dissent have left minorities more vulnerable than ever,โ said a delegate, Arun Dutta while talking to The New Indian.
The coalition has outlined a five-point action plan to tackle the ongoing crisis. It calls for the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping forces to safeguard minorities and the creation of autonomous zones in Hindu-majority areas to provide protection. The plan also advocates completing the 1947 partitionโs population exchange to secure displaced minorities and urges India to reassess its UN peacekeeping contributions in alignment with democratic values. Additionally, it emphasizes imposing targeted UN sanctions on the current regime for failing to uphold human rights.
ALSO READ: Is ISROโs SpaDeX mission game-changer for Indiaโs space future?
โThe survival of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh is not just about preserving heritageโit is a fight for justice and human rights,โ said Sitangshu Guha, a key member of the delegation. The GBHC appealed to India, Britain, and the global community to act decisively, emphasizing that these nations have a moral obligation to rectify historical injustices.
The GBHC concluded by urging the international media and human rights organizations to amplify their voices. โThis is not just a regional issue; itโs a global concern. Letโs ensure that the cries of the persecuted do not go unheard,โ the delegation stated.
Representatives from the United States, Canada, Europe, and India attended the event, along with members of the media and human rights organizations. The coalitionโs appeal underscores the urgency of addressing the escalating crisis in Bangladesh.
