In the wake of escalating violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, a group of eminent Indian authors, academics, and civil society members have penned an open letter urging the Indian Parliament to pass a resolution condemning the atrocities. The appeal comes as reports surface of continued attacks on Hindu communities, even a week after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka amidst political turmoil.
The letter, signed by notable figures including author Amish Tripathi, scientist Anand Ranganathan, Supreme Court lawyer J Sai Deepak, public speaker Dushyanth Sridhar, RSS member Ratan Sharda, and author Hindol Sengupta, expresses deep anguish over what they describe as an “ongoing Hindu genocide” in Bangladesh.
Academics, historians, members of civil society pen open letter on violence against Hindu community and other minorities in Bangladesh.
Ask Indian Parliament to unanimously pass a resolution against this communal attack, and collaborate with international bodies to press B’desh… pic.twitter.com/OjBqpDbx0b— Padmaja Joshi (@PadmajaJoshi) August 12, 2024
“Recent days have witnessed deeply troubling events, including the burning of an ISKCON center in Meherpur, the vandalism of multiple Hindu temples across the country, and videos showing rioters celebrating the lynching of Hindus,” the letter states. It highlights a renewed and alarming pattern of targeted violence against Hindus, with incidents reported in areas like Panchagarh and Nilphamari, where houses have been burned, and temples in Meherpur vandalized and set ablaze. Women have also been targeted, prompting desperate appeals to India for protection.
The signatories emphasize that these acts of violence are not isolated incidents but part of a historical pattern of persecution. “Tragically, these acts of violence are neither isolated nor are they without precedent,” the letter notes, referencing the systematic pogroms that have plagued the Hindu population in Bangladesh since its formation.
Citing reports, the letter reveals that over 3,600 attacks on Hindus have occurred in Bangladesh since 2013. The authors draw parallels to the atrocities of 1971 when approximately 2.5 million Hindus were murdered by the Pakistani regime before Bangladesh’s independence. “These events are reminiscent of the tragic exodus of Hindus from Bangladesh in previous decades, underscoring a recurring cycle of violence that must be urgently addressed,” the letter warns.
The current political instability in Bangladesh, marked by Sheikh Hasina’s exile and the ensuing power vacuum, has exacerbated tensions, leading to increased attacks on minority communities. The letter expresses concern over the potential for further escalation if immediate action is not taken.
In a fervent plea, the authors urge the Indian government to intervene. “Given the severity of these circumstances, we respectfully request your intervention to bring this matter to the attention of your elected representatives, urging them to address this issue at the highest levels of government,” the letter implores.
Furthermore, they call upon the Indian Parliament to pass a unanimous resolution recognising and condemning the ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
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