Hundreds rally in Houston to protest violence against Hindus in Bangladesh
Houston: Over 300 Indian Americans and Bangladeshi Hindus gathered at Sugar Land City Hall in Houston on Sunday morning for a peaceful yet powerful protest against the recent violence by Islamist extremists targeting Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The event was charged with emotion as attendees came together in solidarity over a cause deeply tied to their identities and beliefs.
The protestors called on the Biden Administration to take swift action to prevent further attacks and safeguard vulnerable minority communities in Bangladesh. The recent increase in violence against Hindus has raised urgent concerns about peace and stability in the region.
The organisers urged the US government to not remain passive while these severe human rights abuses continue. They also encouraged Bangladeshi Hindus to stay alert and work together to address emergencies as they arise.
The rally, named “Save Hindus in Bangladesh,” was organised by the Global Voice for Bangladesh Minorities, which represents several Houston Hindu groups including Maitri, Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, HinduAction, HinduPact, Houston Durgabari Society, ISKCON, Global Kashmiri Pandit Diaspora, and others.
Participants held up signs with powerful messages like “Stop Hindu Genocide,” “Stand Up and Speak Out Now,” “Hindu Lives Matter,” and “We Won't Run, We Won't Hide, Stop Hindu Genocide.” Their chants and slogans emphasised their urgent call for justice.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi’s words, “To forgive and accept injustice is cowardice,” and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” the organisers highlighted the importance of standing up against oppression.
Achlesh Amar, one of the speakers representing VHP and HinduAction, addressed the packed crowd with unwavering conviction, proclaiming, “We strongly condemn the assault on the Hindu community for their pluralistic beliefs. We stand united in unwavering solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh. We demand immediate action from the Bangladeshi government to bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and security of all its citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs!”
Amar also shared a heartfelt statement from Deepti Mahajan, co-convener of HinduPACT. “With the coup in Bangladesh, the 10 million Hindus are sitting on a ticking bomb of genocide,” she warned, her voice trembling with urgency. “Reports from within Bangladesh reveal unimaginable torture, killings, and the burning of Hindu temples, alongside harrowing stories of women subjected to unspeakable abuse.
This instability poses a grave danger not only to Hindus but also to the very foundations of democracy in countries like India and the US. It is an inevitable threat to Hindus in Pakistan as well. We need the eyes and ears of all Western nations focused on this crisis in Asia, and we demand safety for all minorities in Bangladesh!”
A Bangladeshi-origin American woman present at the vigil spoke with palpable emotion, her voice breaking as she shared, “The horrific acts of violence back home are devastating. When we call home and hear about these brutal acts every single day, it tears us apart. So many innocent lives have been lost! Places of worship have been burned or vandalized, and women have been horrifically abused. This must stop now! We cannot stand idly by while our people suffer!”
The gathering was a strong reminder that the fight for justice transcends borders. United by compassion, the protestors voiced their demands for action and highlighted the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh.
Agencies