Targeted violence has erupted in Bangladesh against the minority Hindu population following the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5, 2024. Ever since, Hindu homes, businesses, and temples have been ransacked, destroyed and arsoned.
Hindus in Bangladesh Need Your Help!
Sewa International is raising funds to support Hindus fleeing violence in Bangladesh. Donate now to support Hindu victims—any amount makes a difference!
Advocacy Toolkit
Hindus in Bangladesh need YOU to uplift to the world the atrocities being committed against them. Use your voice as an American to urge your local, state, and federal elected officials to condemn the rampant violence and urge the interim government to vigorously protect Hindus and other religious minorities.
Engage Policymakers
5 Easy Steps to Request A Proclamation or Resolution From Your Local & State Government
- Visit your city, county or state legislature’s government website. If you don’t know it, a quick google search should pull it up
- On the website, find the email addresses or contact form for the mayor/county leader/city/county council members/state representatives/state senators. Some government websites have contact forms instead of emails — either works!
- Copy and paste from HAF’s email request template and fill in the city/county/state specific details in the email template
- Attach a copy of the proclamation/resolution and email it to the mayor/county leader/city/county council members/state representatives/state senator along with the email request.
- Follow up after 1 week if you don’t hear back.
If your request is granted, please email us a copy at policy@hinduamerican.org
Map the Violence
Have An Incident of Anti-Hindu Violence in Bangladesh to Report?
HAF is live mapping incidents of outbreaks of violence targeting Hindus across Bangladesh from photos and videos shared with HAF by our on the ground partners
Send it in to us using HAF’s form! Please limit submissions to one specific incident, and include as many details as possible to assist in current reporting and future investigations. We have already captured incidents circulating on social media through regular monitoring and contact with partners on the ground.
Write Letters
While social media may feel predominant these days, the Letter to the Editor is still a valuable tool because it reaches a wide public audience, many of whom may not be aware of an issue or have a strongly formed opinion on it. Politicians at all levels of government pay attention to Letters to the Editor to see if they are mentioned and gauge public sentiment on their actions.
Write a Letter to the Editor in your local newspaper to highlight what is happening in Bangladesh and explicitly call out your elected officials if they have yet to make a statement.
Bangladesh Genocide Education Toolkit
HAF created this toolkit for students and teachers to use in the classroom to learn about the horrific 1971 Bengali Genocide. Geared towards high school World Geography, World History and International Relations courses, this education toolkit is designed to assist teachers in helping students understand the complexities of the Bengali Hindu genocide and how they can take action in raising awareness.
Media & Press
Media
New India Abroad
The Daily Star (Bangladesh)
Letters
Press Statements
Resources
Hindus in Bangladesh: A Survey of Human Rights
Once celebrated for its religious tolerance, Bangladesh has now become a battleground of ideas between an increasingly vocal and powerful collection of extremist groups and the vast majority of Bangladeshi citizens who still cherish the ideals of secularism, pluralism, and democracy.
USCIRF Country Report: Bangladesh
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Country Report on Bangladesh outlines the history and ongoing violence against Hindus and other religious minorities throughout the country.
1971 Bengali Hindu Genocide
Remembering those lost and celebrating the survivors of the 1971 Bengali Hindu genocide is an important step in creating peace and securing justice for the disenfranchised communities in Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Statements From Elected Officials
Reports of anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh are appalling. The interim government under Dr. Yunus must move to establish order and protect all the people of Bangladesh as it moves to new elections.https://t.co/wCUWJuumir
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) August 7, 2024
For stability and a prosperous civil society in Bangladesh, the new government must prioritize the protection and rights of religious minorities, especially the long persecuted Hindu communities. pic.twitter.com/cqKqq5W7C4
— Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick 🇺🇸 (@RepBrianFitz) August 11, 2024
As Bangladesh prepares to swear in its interim government, I urge all government officials, the new administration and police chief, and the people of Bangladesh to do all they can to end the violence that has emerged across the country, including the brutal targeting of the…
— Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (@CongressmanRaja) August 7, 2024
— Congressman Rich McCormick, MBA MD (@RepMcCormick) August 7, 2024
As Bangladesh chaos deepens & radical Islamists tighten their grip, the United States must condemn the killing of Hindus, attacks on Hindu mandirs, and continuing threats against Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh. We must not recognize any government that continues this horror.
— Niraj Antani (@NirajAntani) August 6, 2024
Bangladeshi students had just human rights concerns against PM Hasina. It's good she is gone. But the violence now targeting Hindus is wrong. PM Yunus must uphold the rule of law & prevent the targeting of temples or people of any political party or faith from violence.
— Ro Khanna (@RoKhanna) August 8, 2024
I strongly condemn the ongoing political violence and religious persecution that we are witnessing in Bangladesh. I implore the interim government to act in the shared interest of the Bangladeshi people and put an end to this violence at once.
— Rep. Pat Fallon (@RepPatFallon) August 9, 2024
The targeting of Hindus,…
In these anxious hours, we call for calm and stability in Bangladesh’s transition, and an end to the pogroms of Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.
— Shuv Majumdar (@shuvmajumdar) August 9, 2024
All Bengalis should have equal protection and citizenship, not suffer under the oppression of corrupt authorities, or under… pic.twitter.com/6Q9WtKQ4bl
My statement on the recent violence in Bangladesh. pic.twitter.com/ZrgBkzPPMx
— Congressman Shri Thanedar (@RepShriThanedar) August 8, 2024
It’s heart-wrenching to see the brutal attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus. Many of my constituents have family being impacted. I condemn these acts of violence and urge the State Dept to proactively monitor the situation. #StopHinduEthnicCleansingInBangladesh
— Robin Bartleman (@Robin_Bartleman) August 9, 2024