World’s Shameless Silence on the Massacre of Hindus in Bangladesh

Sanjay Saxena, Lucknow
Senior Journalist
skslko28@gmail.com
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After the forced removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government in Bangladesh, the brutality being inflicted on the Hindu community there has drawn global attention. In matters of atrocities against Hindus, Bangladesh now appears to be moving along the same path as Pakistan. Since Hasina’s government fell, nearly two hundred Hindus have been killed in Bangladesh, property worth crores has been looted, and inhuman incidents such as gang rape of Hindu girls and women have come to light.The Government of India has several strong options to deal with this crisis, but the silence at the international level has raised serious questions as to why major countries and global media are not taking this issue seriously. After Sheikh Hasina’s government fell, attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh intensified from August 2024 onward. According to official figures, from August to February 2025, twenty-one Hindus were killed and one hundred fifty-two temples were attacked. In just the last two months, seventy-six incidents were recorded, including looting, arson of homes, and atrocities against women.

One report states that 281 Hindu women were raped and 183 Hindus were murdered. Recently, a Hindu youth named Dipu Das was beaten to death by a mob on false charges of blasphemy, while the police there stated that they had no evidence of blasphemy against him. This incident triggered public outrage in India. These events have proven that law and order has completely collapsed there and that the Hindu minority is being deliberately targeted.As far as the steps the Indian government can take are concerned, the foremost measure would be to exert diplomatic pressure on the Bangladesh government to ensure the safety of Hindus. Through high-level talks, Bangladesh can be urged to take concrete steps to protect minorities, as was done during the visit of the Foreign Secretary. The second option is to raise the issue on international platforms such as the United Nations, so that global pressure can be built on Bangladesh.

Third, humanitarian assistance programs can be initiated to provide food, medical aid, and shelter to Hindus. Fourth, extremist organizations in Bangladesh can be closely monitored and pressure can be applied to curb their anti-India agenda. The fifth option is the use of economic dependence, since Bangladesh imports fuel, electricity, cotton, medicines, and food grains from India. Conditional supply or temporary restrictions can be imposed without causing excessive hardship to the general population. Sixth, border security can be strengthened and Hindu refugees can be allowed safe entry and assistance. All these measures can prove effective while maintaining regional stability.The Modi government has already conveyed its concerns to Bangladesh, and the Indian High Commission is monitoring the situation there. In December 2024, Bangladesh claimed that out of investigations into 1,282 incidents, 70 people were arrested. However, these steps are inadequate because the violence has not stopped. India can promote harmony between Hindu and Muslim communities of both countries through cultural programs. At the same time, minority security can be linked as a condition to strengthening trade relations.

If necessary, preparations for military assistance or joint operations can also be kept ready, though for now diplomacy is being given priority so that the common people of Bangladesh are not burdened. These options reflect India’s humanitarian commitment.The biggest question in this entire episode is the silence of international media and major countries. The United Nations expressed concern over the violence, and Secretary-General António Guterres condemned racial attacks, but no concrete action followed. Western countries like the US and the UK issued some statements, but they were weak. American lawmakers condemned the killing of Dipu Das, but there was no widespread protest. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch remain silent, though they are vocal in other crises.

This is being seen as religious bias, as global sympathy appears limited when Hindus are the victims. Western media downplayed the violence or dismissed it citing fake news. Channels like the BBC labeled social media posts as false, even though the incidents are proven. America’s silence is linked to its opposition to Sheikh Hasina, whom it termed authoritarian. European countries also rejected Hasina’s secular image. Even UN reports focused more on the previous government and placed less emphasis on the current violence. This double standard highlights global neglect of Hindus.Due to atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, the Hindu population is declining and extremist forces are strengthening. In such a situation, India must play an active role. Beyond diplomacy, economic pressure and international alliances are necessary. Other countries are not speaking out strongly because their interests are tied to Muslim-majority nations. However, a strong Indian policy can improve the situation. The safety of the Hindu community is not just the responsibility of a neighboring country, but a question of civilization itself. Proper use of government options alone can bring peace to Bangladesh.