A global alliance comprising Hindu and multi-faith groups has called for immediate international intervention to safeguard Hindus in Bangladesh. The alliance highlighted a persistent pattern of violence, intimidation, and forced displacement targeting the Hindu community. The appeal, led by the Hindus Advancing Human Rights Initiative (HAHRI), emphasized the urgent need for protection measures.
The letter, signed by over 125 organizations and individuals from 15 countries, urges governments and international bodies to address the escalating crisis. Rahul Sur, the Executive Director of HAHRI, emphasized that the indigenous Hindus of Bangladesh deserve protection under the UN Convention on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He underscored that the ongoing situation represents a grave human rights crisis rooted in impunity.
Documenting incidents of killings, mob violence, attacks on temples and homes, and the misuse of blasphemy allegations against Hindus, the letter sheds light on the dire circumstances. It specifically mentions the public killing of Dipu Chandra Das in December 2025, which garnered global attention due to its online dissemination.
The alliance’s submission reveals a concerning statistic of 2,673 attacks on minorities in Bangladesh between August 2024 and November 2025, following political changes in the country. The alliance expressed deep concern over the prevailing atmosphere of fear among Hindu communities. Reports by international bodies, including the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, have also highlighted the escalating violence and intimidation faced by Hindus in 2025.
Ajay Shah, the Founder and Executive Chair of HinduPACT, emphasized the alarming demographic shift in Bangladesh, indicating a systemic issue. Shah stressed that the diminishing Hindu population signifies a failure to protect minority rights effectively. The alliance pointed out that Hindus, who accounted for 22% of Bangladesh’s population in 1951, now constitute less than 7%, with approximately 230,000 Hindus leaving the country annually.
The alliance’s letter calls upon the United States to take concrete actions, such as deploying a fact-finding team, imposing trade penalties, ensuring refugee protection for persecuted Hindus, and reevaluating Bangladesh’s involvement in UN peacekeeping missions. Similarly, it urges the European Union to impose punitive tariffs and conduct an investigative mission. Additionally, the alliance seeks condemnation of the abuses by United Nations bodies and an independent inquiry into the violations.
HAHRI disclosed that rallies were organized in over 25 US cities, alongside a petition to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, signed by numerous individuals globally. The collective efforts, including petitions, rallies, and formal submissions, underscore the widespread demand for consistent application of universal human rights standards.
The plight of religious minorities in Bangladesh has garnered international attention, featuring in UN reports and US congressional dialogues. Countries like India and the United States have raised concerns about minority rights in various regional and multilateral forums.
