BangladeshMinorities – Global Coalition Demands Action Over Attacks on Hindus

BangladeshMinorities – A broad international coalition of Hindu and interfaith organizations has appealed for immediate global intervention, alleging a continuing pattern of violence and intimidation against Hindu communities in Bangladesh.

Coalition Raises Alarm Over Human Rights Situation

The appeal was organized by the Hindus Advancing Human Rights Initiative, an effort supported by HinduPACT. According to the organizers, more than 125 groups and individuals from 15 countries endorsed a joint letter addressed to governments and international institutions. The signatories argue that the situation has evolved into a prolonged human rights emergency rather than isolated incidents of unrest.

Rahul Sur, executive director of the initiative, said the concerns extend beyond sporadic clashes. He stated that members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, whom he described as indigenous to the region, are entitled to protections under international law, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted in 2007. Instead, he said, reports suggest growing insecurity fueled by a lack of accountability.

Allegations of Targeted Violence and Intimidation

The coalition’s submission outlines a series of alleged abuses, including killings, mob assaults, vandalism of temples, and destruction of homes. It also refers to accusations of blasphemy being used to target members of the Hindu minority.

One incident cited in the letter is the public killing of Dipu Chandra Das on December 18, 2025. He had reportedly been accused of blasphemy before being attacked. Footage of the incident circulated widely on social media, drawing international scrutiny and renewed debate over minority protections in the country.

Data included in the submission claims that 2,673 incidents affecting minority communities were recorded between August 2024 and November 30, 2025. The period followed the removal of the previous government, a political shift that the coalition says coincided with heightened vulnerability for minority groups. The organizations argue that fear and uncertainty have since become widespread among Hindu families.

International Reports Echo Concerns

The letter also references findings from international monitoring bodies, including the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. Recent reports from such institutions have pointed to an increase in intimidation and attacks against religious minorities in Bangladesh during 2025.

Ajay Shah, founder and executive chair of HinduPACT, emphasized demographic changes as evidence of a deeper crisis. He noted that Hindus accounted for approximately 22 percent of Bangladesh’s population in 1951 but now represent less than 7 percent. The coalition estimates that roughly 230,000 Hindus leave the country annually, describing the migration as compelled by insecurity rather than voluntary relocation.

Shah said that a functioning democracy must ensure equal protection for all citizens, warning that persistent violence combined with large-scale demographic decline raises serious questions about governance and minority rights safeguards.

Calls for Diplomatic and Economic Measures

The coalition’s letter outlines several proposed steps for the international community. It calls on the United States to dispatch a fact-finding delegation, consider trade-related measures, and review Bangladesh’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions. It also urges refugee protections for individuals who face persecution.

Similarly, the European Union is asked to evaluate punitive tariffs and organize an independent investigative mission to assess conditions on the ground. The appeal further requests that United Nations bodies formally condemn reported abuses and establish an impartial inquiry into alleged violations.

Public Demonstrations and Petition Campaign

Organizers say the campaign has extended beyond policy discussions. Rallies have reportedly taken place in more than 25 cities across the United States, and a petition addressed to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has gathered thousands of signatures globally.

Sur said the breadth of participation reflects widespread concern that transcends religious lines. He noted that people from multiple faith backgrounds have joined calls for consistent enforcement of universal human rights standards.

The status of religious minorities in Bangladesh has periodically drawn international attention in previous years. Discussions on minority rights have surfaced in United Nations reports and in deliberations within the US Congress. Governments including India and the United States have also raised the issue in regional and multilateral forums, underscoring its continued diplomatic relevance.