'Hindu Lives Matter': Hundreds rally in Houston to protest Bangladesh violence

More than 300 Indian Americans and Bangladeshi-origin Hindus staged a peaceful protest in Houston, Texas on Sunday to denounce what they described as escalating violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.

Demonstrators called on the Biden administration to take immediate action to protect religious minorities in the South Asian nation, which has plunged into turmoil after the dramatic ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

After Hasina's abrupt resignation and flight abroad on August 5 brought an end to her 15 years of autocratic rule, there were numerous reports of attacks against Hindu households, temples and businesses.

Achlesh Amar, representing the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and HinduAction, told news agency PTI, “We strongly condemn the assault on the Hindu community for their pluralistic beliefs. We demand immediate action from the Bangladeshi government to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The protest, organised by the Global Voice for Bangladesh Minorities, drew attendees from various Hindu organisations. They carried signs with messages such as ‘Stop Hindu Genocide’ and ‘Hindu Lives Matter’.

“With the coup in Bangladesh, the 10 million Hindus are sitting on a ticking bomb of genocide,” Deepti Mahajan, co-convener of HinduPACT, told PTI. She described reports of torture, killings, and the burning of Hindu temples.

A Bangladeshi-origin American woman described the emotional toll of hearing about the violence. “So many innocent lives have been lost!” she said. “Places of worship have been burned or vandalised, and women have been horrifically abused.”

Organisers quoted Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr in their calls for justice and equality.

The rally comes amid growing international concern over the situation in Bangladesh. Meanwhile, the caretaker government headed by Muhammad Yunus said it is working to resolve the "heinous attacks" on Hindus and other religious minorities.

Notably, Hindus are the largest minority faith in mostly Muslim Bangladesh and are considered a steadfast support base for Sheikh Hasina's party, the Awami League.

(With PTI inputs)