Expat Bangladeshi Hindus Urge India to Push for UN Sanctions on Bangladesh
Expatriate Bangladeshi Hindus have urgently requested India to seek UN sanctions against Bangladesh to protect Hindus and minorities amidst escalating violence post-Sheikh Hasina’s ouster. They proposed a five-point plan during a conference in New Delhi, advocating for UN peacekeeping forces’ deployment and a reassessment of Bangladesh’s role in UN missions, highlighting the significant decline in the Hindu population in recent decades.
A group of expatriate Bangladeshi Hindus has called upon the Indian government to advocate for UN sanctions against Bangladesh, stressing the imperative need to protect Hindus and other religious minorities amid rising persecution. Affiliated with the Global Bengali Hindu Coalition, the group convened in New Delhi to address escalating violence against Hindus, particularly after the political upheaval following the ousting of former Premier Sheikh Hasina. They presented a five-point plan urging intervention, including the establishment of protected zones for minorities and completing the unresolved population exchange from the 1947 Partition.
The expatriates detailed their concerns during a press conference, emphasizing the urgent need for international action against the current Bangladeshi administration, which they characterize as hostile and detrimental to human rights. They proposed that India should seek the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces focused on safeguarding religious minorities in Bangladesh, and that targeted sanctions should be imposed on what they describe as an ‘illegal government.’ The leaders of the group asserted the necessity for a reassessment of Bangladesh’s role as a troop contributor to UN missions, arguing that such support indirectly aids a regime viewed as oppressive.
Sitangshu Guha, the US-based leader of the group, did not shy away from expressing the historical ties between India and Bangladesh, stating, “India is our best friend, it can help rescue the 20 million Hindus of Bangladesh.” The deteriorating situation of Hindus in Bangladesh, which has seen a drastic decline in their population from 22% in 1951 to 7.95% in 2022, was starkly highlighted. Members of the group noted that no government has effectively protected the interests of Hindus in Bangladesh, facilitating the rise of Islamist groups instead. They provided alarming statistics, citing numerous incidents of violence against Hindu places of worship and personnel.
The article discusses the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly following the political change after Sheikh Hasina’s resignation. With the expat Hindu group now voicing concerns from abroad, their report emphasizes incidents of violence and discrimination faced by Hindus. The historical context of the Hindu population reduction in Bangladesh from their peak in the mid-20th century to present-day statistics is crucial in understanding the urgency and implications of their calls for international intervention. The interaction between the expatriate group and the Indian government reflects ongoing geopolitical and humanitarian issues stemming from Bangladesh’s political landscape.
In conclusion, the expatriate Bangladeshi Hindu group’s appeals for UN sanctions against Bangladesh underscore a dire need to address the systematic targeting of religious minorities in the country. Their five-point action plan not only advocates for international intervention but also aims to protect the rights and security of Hindus, who have faced severe oppression over decades. Their call for Indian support is rooted in historical alliances and aims to ensure that the rights of minorities are upheld in Bangladesh’s current political climate.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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