Expatriate Bangladeshi Hindus are urging India to call for UN sanctions on Bangladesh to protect religious minorities. They propose the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces, completion of a historical population exchange for minority resettlement, and reassessment of Bangladesh’s contributions to UN missions. The group’s intentions stress the need for immediate government intervention to ensure the safety of Hindus and address the ongoing violence against them.
A collective of expatriate Bangladeshi Hindus has urged the Indian government to advocate for United Nations (UN) sanctions on Bangladesh, asserting that protective measures must be established for Hindus and other minorities in the nation. Comprised of individuals from Bangladeshi descent residing in Europe and North America, this group, affiliated with the Global Bengali Hindu Coalition, is visiting New Delhi to address the targeted violence against Hindus following the political upheaval in Bangladesh. They presented a five-point action plan aimed at safeguarding the rights and security of these communities under current government policies they characterize as hostile.
In their appeal, the group called for international intervention by advocating for the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces to maintain order and protect ethnic and religious minorities. Furthermore, they highlighted the necessity of targeted sanctions against the current administration in Bangladesh for its consistent violation of human rights and the failure to safeguard vulnerable populations. Among their proposals, they emphasized the need for a completion of the historical population exchange associated with the 1947 Partition to facilitate the safe resettlement of displaced minorities, yet details surrounding this proposal remain undisclosed.
Additionally, the group suggested that the Indian government advocate for the establishment of designated safe zones in Hindu-majority regions in Bangladesh to ensure the welfare of minorities and expressed concerns regarding Bangladesh’s role as a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, urging a reassessment of India’s support for this.
Sitangshu Guha, a representative of the expatriates, remarked on India’s historical involvement in Bangladesh’s liberation, stating, “India is our best friend, it can help rescue the 20 million Hindus of Bangladesh.” He implored the Indian government to act decisively to prevent the extinction of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
The condition of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh has drawn serious concern from the Indian government, particularly following apprehensions regarding the arrest of a Bangladeshi monk facing sedition charges. Relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated since the political turmoil that forced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee to India in August. The interim administration has refuted claims of organized violence against Hindus, asserting that reports are exaggerated, despite ongoing attacks reported by the expatriate group.
Evidence provided by the Bangladesh United Sanatani Awakening Alliance reported 51 incidents of violence against Hindu religious sites between August and December 2022, emphasizing a systematic pattern of discrimination and hostility directed toward the Hindu community, raising concerns over the protection and preservation of minority rights in Bangladesh.
The Hindu minority in Bangladesh has faced increasing threats and violence, particularly following political turmoil that led to significant changes in government. Expatriate groups, primarily based in Europe and North America, are concerned about ongoing ethnic and religious persecution. Many have appealed for international support to secure the rights of these communities, emphasizing historical ties and responsibilities that India has towards protecting the Hindu population in Bangladesh, which has dramatically decreased over the past decades.
The expatriate Bangladeshi Hindu group is fervently requesting India to take a strong stance at the UN level regarding the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh. Their demands highlight the urgent need for international intervention and protective measures in the face of ongoing violence and systemic discrimination. This situation necessitates an immediate response from the Indian government to safeguard the rights of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, ensuring their safety and security in the face of adversity.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
