Even as speculations are rife that Muhammad Yunus led interim government in Bangladesh is considering to declare Bangladesh an ‘Islamic state’, raising serious concerns among global observers regarding regional security, minority rights, and the potential destabilization of the subcontinent, Hindu diaspora across the United States, Canada, Europe, and other parts of the world has demanded ‘establishment of autonomous zones in Hindu-majority regions in Bangladesh’. That, they feel, will ensure the Hindu’s safety and security in Bangladesh. They are also pressing for deployment of UN peacekeeping force in Bangladesh and ‘Completion of a population exchange initiated during the 1947 Partition’ as well.
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A delegation of the “Global Hindu Bengali Coalition” which also included residents of the USA, Canada, Europe (and also a British Labour Party councillor Pushpita Gupta who hailed originally from Bangladesh), and Switzerland , is presently visiting various parts of the world to garner global opinion in support of their demands. The Global Hindu Bengali Coalition , which is at present in New Delhi also asked the Indian government to reconsider its contributions to UN peacekeeping quotas for Bangladesh, suggesting that such support be aligned with democratic and humanitarian principles.
The Global Hindu Bengali Coalition will meet senior political executives, functionaries and government officials in Delhi during their stay. The delegation have met BJP leader from Tripura Subal Bhowmik in Delhi. They requested him to take up the matter at appropriate levels.
The ‘Coalition’ has also issued strong appeals for urgent international intervention to save the Hindu Bengalis in Bangladesh. These calls highlight the plight of Hindus, indigenous people, and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, who, they allege, face daily persecution under the current regime.
The Coalition points out recent political developments in Bangladesh, including the resignation of Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five Appellate Division judges under immense pressure, have raised alarms about judicial independence. Critics claim that these resignations, coupled with subsequent appointments of individuals loyal to the interim government, signify a dangerous precedent where political agendas overshadow the rule of law.
Historical grievances have also been brought to the forefront. Many activists argue that mistakes made during the 1947 Partition and the 1971 liberation of Bangladesh failed to establish adequate safeguards for Hindus and other minorities. They contend that regions like Chattogram, Khulna, Barisal, and Gopalganj, which were historically Hindu-majority or densely populated by minorities, should have been designated as safe zones during these critical moments. The on-going persecution, they claim, is a direct result of these oversights, which they believe India and other global powers must now rectify.
The delegation of Hindu activists has proposed a series of measures to address the current crisis. They have called for the deployment of United Nations peacekeeping forces to protect minorities in Bangladesh and the establishment of autonomous zones in Hindu-majority regions to ensure their safety. They have also urged India to reconsider its contributions to UN peacekeeping quotas for Bangladesh, suggesting that such support be aligned with democratic and humanitarian principles.
They have requested for the UN Sanction based on Compliance with UN Standards of Conduct and have said, Peace Mission armed forces providing Nations must ensure that their personnel adhere to the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on misconduct.
“We urge the Government of India to call upon the United Nations and its member states to impose targeted sanctions on the current illegal and hostile regime in Bangladesh, due to its proven misconduct and failure to preserve human rights and dignity of the religious minorities, indigenous people and tribal groups”, said the Coalition members.
Further, the activists advocate for the completion of a population exchange initiated during the 1947 Partition. This, they argue, would enable displaced minorities to resettle safely and mitigate ongoing tensions. Additionally, they have called on India to leverage its influence at the United Nations to impose targeted sanctions on the interim Bangladeshi government for its failure to uphold basic human rights and its alleged role in fostering an environment hostile to minorities.
Giving details of the sharp decline of Hindus in Bangladesh the Hindu diaspora has emphasized the urgency of their demands, noting that the situation has deteriorated significantly in recent months. Reports of arrests, such as that of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson for the Sanatani community, on sedition charges, as well as violent clashes involving minority groups, underscore the fragile state of communal harmony in the country. Delegates insist that without immediate international attention, the persecution of minorities will escalate, resulting in further destabilization of the region.
The Global Hindu Bengali Coalition points out, the Muslim population of West Bengal was 19.46% in 1951, it is currently roughly 28.9% and is projected to be 29.36% by 2041. By contrast, whereas the Hindu population of East Pakistan/Bangladesh was 22% in 1951, it is currently 7.95% (Bangladesh Census 2022), and is projected to be zero by 2046 ( Reference given to “No Hindus will be left after 30 years,” Economist Professor Abul Barakat. Dhaka Tribune, Nov. 19, 2016).
“Needless it is to point out that, while most of them have fled to India upon being brutalized and leaving behind everything that they had, the others have been raped, converted to Islam by force and/or brutally slaughtered”.
“The remaining 20 million will also be eliminated through violence because the Islamists have been allowed by every government including the current socalled ‘Interim government’ of Chief Advisor Dr. Mohammed Yunus. In December 2024, Bangladeshi Hindus are arguing that, is it possible to live with the Muslims, as they are becoming more and more violent and anti-Hindu and as well as antiIndia, as to them India & Hindu are two sides of the same coin”, the Coalition maintains.
Speaking on behalf of the diaspora, Sitangshu Guha, a US-based activist, remarked, “Preserving the rights and dignity of minorities in Bangladesh is not just a regional issue but a moral obligation for the entire global community. The mistakes of the past must be addressed to secure a peaceful and stable future.”
The visiting delegation, which includes Sitangshu Guha, New York, USA, Puspita Gupta, London, UK, Sushanta Das Gupta, London, Dileep Karmarkar, Montreal, Canada, Arun K. Datta, Toronto, Canada. Arun Barua, Geneva, Switzerland Suhas Barua, Boston, USA, is actively seeking to engage with international organizations, including the United Nations, to amplify their demands.
They urge India, Britain, and other global powers to recognize their shared responsibility in rectifying the consequences of historical decisions and ensuring the safety and dignity of minorities in Bangladesh.
WHAT THEY SAY
NE will be threatened by any Islamic government in Dhaka, no matter who is in power
It is assumed that current government in Bangladesh is going to declare Bangladesh as Islamic State very soon. We understand India can safeguard it’s North-East and Tripura by spending billions of dollars when Dhaka has a hostile government. India will always be threatened by any Islamic government in Dhaka, no matter who is in power. Moreover, Chattogram was not supposed to be in Pakistan, why not rectify the situation now.
If Chattogram becomes a Hindu Land, the North-east and Tripura will be safe forever. The Chittagong Hill Tracks (CHT) problem will be solved. Khulna was not supposed to be in Pakistan, that zone, namely, Khulna-Barisal-Gopalganj is still densely Hindu populated. India can rectify that situation too. Rangpur belt also should be considered.
While Bangladeshi Muslims are most fanatic at this time, and Hindus are under tremendous pressure, and persecuted every day, Hindus think India should revisit the Bangladesh situation again, and rectify the mistake Mrs. Indira Gandhi did in 1971 by not creating a land for Hindus and other religious minorities. Hindus in that land are suffering from 1947, it’s time now to rescue those innocent souls.
India and Britain caused the partition of India and both countries have a moral obligation to solve the problem. We believe India can help the current movement of the Hindus to take it in that direction. Undermining the Judiciary by the so-called Interim Government of Bangladesh Since 5th August 2024 The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has taken unprecedented steps that have led to the erosion of judicial independence, suppression of dissent, and systemic misuse of power to target political opponents. These actions, under the guise of reform, represent a direct assault on the democratic principles and judicial integrity that form the foundation of a free and fair society.
DEMANDS
1. Global Intervention: Deploy United Nations peacekeeping forces to protect Hindus, other minorities, indigenous people, and tribal groups in Bangladesh.
2. Autonomous Zones: Establish protected zones in Hindu-majority regions to ensure safety and security for minorities.
3. Population Exchange: Complete the unfinished population exchange with lands from the 1947 Partition, enabling the secure resettlement of displaced minorities.
4. Reassessing Peacekeeping Contributions: India has generously supported UN peacekeeping quotas for Bangladesh. However, given the current hostile and projihadist regime in Dhaka, India should reconsider its strategy and align its contributions with democratic and humanitarian values.
5. Request for the UN Sanction based on Compliance with UN Standards of Conduct: Peace Mission arm forces providing Nations must ensure that their personnel adhere to the UN’s zero-tolerance policy on misconduct. Government of India should call upon the United Nations and its member states to impose targeted sanctions on the current regime in Bangladesh,
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Muslim population of West Bengal was 19.46% in 1951, it is currently roughly 28.9% and is projected to be 29.36% by 2041. By contrast, whereas the Hindu population of East Pakistan/Bangladesh was 22% in 1951, it is currently 7.95% (Bangladesh Census 2022), and is projected to be zero by 2046
(Also published in Tripura Times)
