Washington, DC – On Monday (December 9), hundreds gathered in Washington, D.C., for the “March Against Genocide of Hindus in Bangladesh,” held on the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide. The march, organized by StopHinduGenocide.org, Bangladeshi diaspora organizations, and HinduACTion, began at the Ellipse near the White House and concluded at Capitol Hill. Participants amplified calls for global recognition of the ongoing persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and urged decisive international action to end the atrocities.
Shuvo Roy, one of the protesters, called on the Biden-Harris administration to pressure Bangladeshi interim leader Muhammad Yunus—considered a U.S. ally—to immediately release Chinmaya Krishna Das, a Hindu monk reportedly subjected to illegal detention and torture by security forces under Yunus’s regime.
Historical Context of Hindu Persecution in Bangladesh
The persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh traces its roots to the 1947 Partition of India, during which Hindus in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) became a systematically targeted minority. Over decades, they have faced systemic discrimination, violent displacement, and large-scale massacres. Discriminatory laws, such as the Enemy Property Act, led to widespread confiscation of Hindu-owned property, forcing many to flee.
The situation worsened during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, when Hindus were disproportionately targeted in what historians and experts have labeled a genocidal campaign. The Pakistan Army and its allied militias engaged in brutal atrocities, including mass killings of Hindus and Bengali intellectuals, forced conversions, and mass displacements. Estimates suggest 2–3 million people were killed during the war.
Persistent Challenges in Independent Bangladesh
Despite gaining independence in 1971, the Hindu minority in Bangladesh has continued to face systemic violence and discrimination. Incidents such as the 1992 riots following the Babri Masjid demolition in India, the 2001 post-election violence, and the 2013 Shahbagh protests underscore the ongoing vulnerability of the community. Key issues, including temple desecration, land grabs, forced conversions, and harassment, remain pervasive.
During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s tenure (2009–2024), while there were efforts toward political inclusion and justice—such as the establishment of the International Crimes Tribunal—communal violence persisted. Recent escalations following Hasina’s departure in 2024 have been particularly alarming, with over 2,000 incidents of violence and attacks on 69 temples reported in August alone. Hindus now comprise less than 8% of Bangladesh’s population, a sharp decline from approximately 30% in 1947.
Urgent Calls for International Intervention
The march in Washington sought to spotlight this alarming marginalization and advocate for urgent international intervention. Srikant Akunuri, one of the event organizers, emphasized the dire need to protect the rights and dignity of Hindus in Bangladesh.
“This march is not just a cry for justice; it is a demand for accountability,” said Utsav Chakrabarti, another organizer. “We must act now to safeguard the lives and freedoms of Hindu minorities before it is too late.”
Milton Chowdhury, also among the organizers, urged the incoming White House administration under President Trump to address the following key issues:
- De-Radicalization of Education
U.S. economic aid to Bangladesh should be conditional upon the de-radicalization of its Islamic educational curriculum, promoting inclusivity, tolerance, and secular values. - Demographic Preservation
Immediate steps must be taken to halt the demographic decline of Hindu and Buddhist minorities in Bangladesh. If these efforts fail, the creation of autonomous zones for minorities—similar to Kosovo or Native American reservations—should be explored as a last resort.
A Call for Global Responsibility
The march underscored the urgency of international action to address the crisis. Organizers and participants alike urged global leaders to intervene, ensuring justice and dignity for the Hindu minority in Bangladesh and holding those responsible for violence accountable.
