Krishnamoorthi Requests Briefing On Violence Against Hindus

India-West Staff Reporter 

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) has sent a letter to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken requesting a briefing on the rise in harassment and violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, especially following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and reports of violence and intimidation leading up to Bangladesh’s largest Hindu festival of Durga Puja.

In the letter, the congressman wrote, “As you are aware, Bangladesh’s Hindu community has historically faced challenges, but recent incidents following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have heightened concerns about their safety. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council recently reported over 2,000 incidents of communal violence targeting minorities, mostly Hindus, across the country from August 4 to August 20, 2024. This included nine deaths of people belonging to minority groups, rapes, and attacks on 69 places of worship, which were vandalized or set on fire.”

He has requested a briefing on the matter by October 31to better understand the State Department’s efforts to promote security and safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.