In a powerful appeal to the global community, Hindu American groups flew a large banner over New York City’s Hudson River, calling for urgent action to stop violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. The banner, which circled the Statue of Liberty—a symbol of freedom and equality—sought to raise awareness of the ongoing persecution of Hindus in the region.
The campaign highlighted the severe decline of the Hindu population in Bangladesh since the 1971 genocide, where an estimated 2.8 million people were killed, and over 200,000 Hindu women were raped. At the time, the Hindu population accounted for 20% of Bangladesh’s population. Today, it has shrunk to just 8.9%. Ongoing violence, including lynchings, kidnappings, and forced property seizures, continues to threaten the 13 to 15 million Hindus who still reside in the country.
Recent reports detail nearly 250 verified attacks and over 1,000 incidents of violence since August 2024. Organizers of the banner event, including Sitangshu Guha from the Bangladesh Hindu Community, warned of a looming crisis. “Hindus in Bangladesh are on the verge of extinction. If Bangladesh becomes Hindu-free, it will be another Afghanistan 2.0, and the militants will spread to neighboring countries, including India and the West,” Guha said.
Pankaj Mehta, another activist and member of the Interfaith Human Rights Coalition, emphasized the need for international intervention. He called on the United Nations Human Rights Council to recognize the 1971 Bangladesh genocide and to prevent further atrocities. Several international organizations, including Genocide Watch and the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, have already acknowledged the 1971 events as genocide. Pankaj Mehta urged the UN to take immediate action.
The ongoing violence has raised concerns not only in South Asia but also in the United States. The Jewish community in America has expressed solidarity with the Hindu minority, drawing parallels to the Hamas attacks in Israel. Calls for boycotts of Bangladeshi goods have also emerged, with activists urging companies such as Walmart, H&M, and Gap Inc. to stop sourcing from the country until the violence ceases.
The event was live-streamed on StopHinduGenocide.org, which continues to document the atrocities and call for global awareness to prevent a potential genocide. Humanitarian groups warn that, without international intervention, the violence could escalate further.
