The US condemns attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, says Freedom of Religion is a Human Right

The United States condemned the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh, saying freedom of religion or belief is a human right. The US expressed its concern over the recent violent attacks on Hindu temples and businesses and urged Bangladesh to probe the recent attacks.

“We condemn the recent violent attacks on Hindu temples and businesses in Bangladesh during the Durga Puja celebrations. Our thoughts are with the Hindu community as we urge authorities to investigate fully. Freedom of religion or belief is a human right,” tweeted US Department of State spokesperson Ned Price.

Pranesh Halder, a member of the Bangladeshi Hindu community, urged US-based watchdog groups and media houses to highlight the gravity of the violence in Bangladesh and ensure that no further harm comes to the beleaguered Hindus in Bangladesh.

“It is especially horrifying to see the last remaining Hindus in Noakhali being attacked in this way, 75 years after Islamists demanding the creation of Pakistan, killed 12,000 Hindus and forcibly converted 50,000 to Islam in October 1946,” said Utsav Chakrabarti, Executive Director of HinduPACT, a US-based Hindu advocacy group.

The violent attacks by the Muslims against Hindus started on Wednesday (October 13) when multiple mobs attacked many pooja pandals. The Islamists justified the anti-Hindu riots on the grounds, saying the devotees desecrated Quran. The Islamists have been using such made-up narratives to justify their violent anti-Hindu riots for years.

On Friday, a Muslim mob attacked the ISKCON temple in the Noakhali area and killed one 25-year-old devotee Partha Das and destroyed the temple and many idols on the premises.

The violent Islamists vandalised six Daniapara Maha Shoshan Kali Mandir idols at Rashunia union in Sirajdikhan Upazila of Munshiganj. The temple had no security, and its main entrance lock was found broken, and all the idols in the temple were vandalised.  

In a series of riots, Muslim mobs attacked and vandalised multiple pooja pandals. According to reports, more than 22 temples were vandalised in 22 districts.