An influential Indian-American organization, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS), has appealed to US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to address the escalating violence against Bangladesh’s minority Hindu community. This plea follows over 200 reported attacks on Hindus and their temples since the Awami League government fell on August 5.
FIIDS expressed deep concern in separate letters to both leaders, highlighting the recent arrest and denial of bail for Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu spiritual leader and former member of ISKCON. Das’s arrest on sedition charges has sparked protests across Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram.
Khanderao Kand, President of FIIDS, urged Biden to call on Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Yunus Mohammed to release Das and protect religious minorities. Kand emphasized that safeguarding minority rights is vital for Bangladesh’s democratic progress, urging the US to champion these values.
In his letter to Trump, Kand emphasized the incoming administration’s responsibility to prioritize human rights and religious freedom, advocating for Das’s release and the protection of ISKCON’s operations. He warned of Bangladesh’s drift toward radicalization and criticized its government for targeting ISKCON while ignoring extremist organizations.
Kand also condemned the Bangladeshi government’s petition to ban ISKCON, a humanitarian organization known for global aid and interfaith initiatives. Labeling ISKCON as a “fundamentalist organization,” he argued, undermines religious tolerance and human rights.
Prominent figures, such as African-American singer Mary Millben, have joined the call, condemning the violence and urging world leaders to act. Indian-American groups across the US have also staged peaceful protests, demanding immediate action to protect Bangladesh’s minority Hindu population.
