In August 2024, Bangladesh went through a major political change when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power. As a result, this caused a lot of chaos and violence. Recently, the Hindu community in the country has been targeted. Hindu families have faced attacks, their homes have been burned down, and temples have been destroyed. In addition, many Hindus were forced to run for safety. This situation is very serious, but India’s response to what’s happening in Bangladesh has been confusing and, some believe, unfair.
On one hand, India has been allowing illegal immigrants into the country, including Muslims from Bangladesh, Rohingya and Muslims from Myanmar, even though these people don’t have the proper permission to stay. Some people argue that India is doing this for political reasons, aiming to gain support from certain groups within India. However, on the other hand, India hasn’t been very vocal about the suffering of Hindus in Bangladesh, even though they share a deep connection with India due to their similar culture and religion. This has raised questions about why India seems to care more about immigrants than about helping the Hindus who are facing violence and persecution in Bangladesh.
The violence against Hindus began when Sheikh Hasina’s government fell. While her party, the Awami League, had worked hard to protect religious minorities, after her removal, anti-India feelings grew, and Hindus became targets of angry mobs. Between August 4th to August 20th 2024, there were over 2,000 violent incidents against Hindus. In particular, mobs burned homes, destroyed businesses, and attacked religious places, like temples. In areas such as Monglargaon and Dowarabazar, people saw their homes burned to the ground and were forced to run for their lives. As a result, over 9 people died, and many more were injured.
Krishna Das and Bijon Das, who witnessed these attacks, shared heartbreaking stories about the fear and destruction they faced. Sadly, the government didn’t do much to stop these attacks, leaving Hindus feeling abandoned and unsafe. Although violence against Hindus in Bangladesh isn’t new, the scale of it has gotten much worse since Hasina was removed from office.
What’s even more troubling is how India is responding or, rather, not responding to this crisis. India has been letting in illegal immigrants from Bangladesh. Some critics believe India is doing this to get political support. Yet, India has not spoken up much about the violence happening to Hindus in Bangladesh. This has led many to question why India seems more focused on helping illegal immigrants than supporting Hindus who are in danger.
India’s policy on immigration has been controversial for years. In places like West Bengal and Delhi, many migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar have come into the country. While some analysts believe that India is allowing these migrants in for political reasons, others argue that the country’s resources and social harmony are being stretched too thin because of it. However, India’s silence on the violence against Hindus, who share religious and cultural ties with the country, is even more concerning.
One example is Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk who used to be a priest with the ISKCON organization. He has been a strong voice for Hindu rights in Bangladesh, but he was recently arrested and detained. Despite efforts to get him released, the process has been slow, and he remains in jail. His case is just one example of how Hindus in Bangladesh are treated badly, and India has not done enough to help him or others like him.
India has always seen itself as a protector of Hindus, both in India and around the world. As the birthplace of Hinduism, many believe that India has a moral duty to protect Hindus facing violence and persecution in other countries. Therefore, when India fails to speak up for the suffering of Hindus in Bangladesh, it creates doubt about its commitment to these values. In addition, it makes India look weak on the global stage and harms its reputation in international politics.
The situation in Bangladesh reveals a deeper problem with India’s priorities. By focusing more on letting in illegal immigrants for short-term political gain, instead of standing up for Hindus who are being attacked, India risks losing its moral standing both within the country and around the world. This could hurt the country’s social unity, democratic values, and its long history of supporting human rights.
India needs to take action. It must speak out more for the Hindus who are being persecuted in Bangladesh and find a fairer way to handle immigration. If India does this, it can restore its role as a protector of Hindus and fulfill the responsibility that many believe it has, both ethically and culturally. Failing to act now would be turning its back on its own values and failing to help millions of people who look to India for support.
