WASHINGTON, Dec 13: President Joe Biden is actively overseeing developments in Bangladesh, emphasizing that the United States will hold the interim government accountable for the safety of religious and ethnic minorities, according to the White House.
The security landscape in Bangladesh has worsened following the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as noted by White House National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby.
“We have been collaborating closely with the interim government to strengthen their law enforcement and security services to effectively address the challenges they face,” Kirby stated during a press briefing on Thursday.
Sheikh Hasina was removed from her position in August amid widespread anti-government protests.
Recently, there has been an increase in violence targeting Hindus and other minority groups, alongside assaults on temples across Bangladesh.
“Our message to all Bangladeshi leaders has been clear: the protection of religious and ethnic minorities is essential. The leaders of the interim government have pledged to ensure the safety of all citizens, regardless of their religion or ethnicity,” he remarked.
“We aim to hold them accountable for this commitment,” Kirby responded when questioned.
In recent weeks, Indian Americans have organized peaceful demonstrations and marches in numerous cities, including in front of the White House, Chicago, New York, San Francisco, Detroit, Houston, and Atlanta, calling on Biden to intervene to stop alleged abuses against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Earlier, Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to tackle the issue of violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh during Senator Marco Rubio’s confirmation hearing for the position of secretary of state.
President-elect Donald Trump has put forward Senator Rubio’s nomination for this key diplomatic role, although the date for his confirmation hearing has yet to be announced.
“As targeted violence against Hindus and other minorities persists amid the turmoil in Bangladesh, I urge members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to confront this crisis directly during the upcoming hearings for Senator Rubio’s confirmation as the next US secretary of state,” Krishnamoorthi stated.
Over the weekend, a significant number of Indian Americans participated in a march from the White House to the US Capitol in response to the reported attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.
Chanting slogans like “We want Justice” and “Protect Hindus,” the participants called on both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to compel the new government in Bangladesh to take action to safeguard Hindus and hold accountable those responsible for the violence.
“The Bangladeshi Hindu community and the broader Hindu diaspora from the Indian subcontinent have rallied to support their counterparts in Bangladesh due to ongoing violence, particularly in the regions of Chittagong and Rangpur, as well as other areas of the country,” stated Utsav Chakrabarti of HinduACTion. (PTI)
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