(RNS) — At a webinar on Sunday (Aug. 11), Suhag Shukla, govt director for the Hindu American Basis (HAF), started her presentation with a Shanti mantra: a Hindu prayer for peace.
“Let all be comfortable, let all be free from debilitation, let all see goodness, let nobody endure,” she informed the digital viewers. “Peace inside us, peace round us, peace between us.”
This common Hindu prayer was meant for a inhabitants HAF says at the moment wants it probably the most: the Hindus of Bangladesh. Hindus, who make up solely about 8% of the Muslim-majority nation, have suffered focused assaults since Aug. 5 when a student-led coup ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for what they stated was an more and more autocratic rule that favored elites and silenced dissent.
The political unrest started earlier this summer time, when school college students of all faiths in Bangladesh protested Hasina’s quotas, which reserved 30% of extremely sought-after authorities jobs for descendants of veterans who fought for independence from Pakistan in 1971 with assist from Hindu-majority India.
The protests turned violent as safety forces cracked down and scholar teams turned in opposition to one another. Then assaults started concentrating on Hindus: a fruits of communal anti-Hindu sentiment that many advocates say has been rising prior to now few a long time.
Over the previous week, advocacy organizations throughout the U.S. have held a collection of protests, vigils and briefings meant to spotlight these assaults.
Vigil supporting the Hindus and different spiritual minorities of Bangladesh in #Houston #Texas.
Our Board member Paro and Sharmishtha from the #Bangladeshi diaspora led the vigil in opposition to the continued concentrating on of Hindus and assaults on Hindu temples in #Bangladesh. They demanded… pic.twitter.com/0toTkWSj2X— HinduACTion (@HinduACT) August 12, 2024
Greater than 85 incidents of anti-Hindu violence have been reported from Bangladesh since Aug. 5, in line with HinduPACT, an unbiased political motion committee primarily based in Washington. Many of the violence occurred within the quick 72 hours following Hasina’s resignation when a number of Hindu temples have been desecrated, companies have been looted and Hindus have been attacked primarily based on their spiritual identification, the group stated.
HinduPACT, HAF and the Coalition of Hindus of North America are persevering with to watch assaults and persistently subject messages from Bangladeshi Hindus who’re spending their days “in nice worry.”
From Michigan to Houston and California to Washington, D.C., members of the Indian and Bangladeshi diaspora gathered by the lots of to lift consciousness for his or her “Hindu brothers and sisters,” holding indicators with the messages “Defend Hindu Rights,” “Faith shouldn’t be against the law” and “Stay and Let Stay.”
Many on the protests, chanting to a soundtrack of Bengali folks songs, have been clear of their message: this anti-Hindu violence should be well known, and the U.S. authorities and legislation enforcement should unequivocally condemn the assaults whereas placing strain on the interim Bangladeshi leaders to intervene.
“It took mere weeks for the preliminary ‘anti-quota protests’ in Bangladesh to devolve into focused anti-Hindu violence,” stated a consultant of HinduACTION in an X submit. “This shift underscores the volatility of the scenario and the pressing want for worldwide intervention.”
Together with elevating consciousness, some Hindus have expressed dissatisfaction with the “hypocrisy” from American governmental organizations concerning the violence. The U.S. Fee on Worldwide Spiritual Freedom and Senate Overseas Relations Committee, for instance, haven’t but launched statements. A lot of the protests have been directed towards the Biden administration, in addition to Biden’s Nationwide Safety adviser, for remaining silent.
WATCH: Over 150 individuals collect in Fremont, CA from a number of organizations to demand justice for Hindus in Bangladesh. Chants of “Cease killing Hindus,” “Cease genocide of Hindus,” “We wish justice,” “Hindu lives matter” and plenty of extra stuffed the air.#SaveHindusInBangladesh… pic.twitter.com/qWV6TwC1ys
— CoHNA (Coalition of Hindus of North America) (@CoHNAOfficial) August 12, 2024
“For too lengthy, Hindu minorities have fought a lonely battle, receiving little to no assist,” posted CoHNA on X. “Let’s arise for Bangladeshi Hindus on this time of horrific atrocity.”
The group, like HAF and HinduAction, has been urging people to become involved by writing to their native Congress members or becoming a member of an area protest. “Silence shouldn’t be an choice,” the group added. Final week, HAF members met with United States Ambassador-at-Giant for Worldwide Spiritual Freedom Rashad Hussain.
To date, Hindu lawmakers throughout the nation have spoken up, together with Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar and Niraj Antani.
However but to say something, say advocates, are Vice President and Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, two of probably the most distinguished Individuals within the Indian diaspora.
Monday night (Aug. 12), CoHNA, supported by HAF, HinduACTION and the Hindu American PAC, together with Georgia Rep. Wealthy McCormick, will maintain a congressional briefing, the place representatives will clarify the difficult historical past between Bangladeshi Hindus and Muslims.
“The present political unrest in Bangladesh is detrimental to the nation’s well-being,” stated the Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh of the U.S., an influential physique of the Indian and Hindu neighborhood beneath the wing of the Indian Hindu nationalist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. “We hope for a swift decision that fosters a democratic and pluralistic society, making certain justice and equality for all its residents.”
