By Abdul A. Bhuiyan and Habib Siddiqui
In times of war, truth is often the first casualty. The US elections are increasingly becoming the battle grounds where truth is sacrificed at the altar of falsehood for political expediency. As if we have not seen enough of such falsifications, the battleground has been expanded to the other side of our planet seemingly to curry favor from a target group of voters.
Consider, for instance, the claims of the US presidential candidate Donald J. Trump on October 31, 2024, vis-à-vis Bangladesh. His claim of “barbaric violence” against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities in Bangladesh is unfounded.
The Real Situation in Bangladesh: Facts Over Falsehoods
Following the resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024, Bangladesh has been under a transitional government that prioritizes democracy and inclusivity. While isolated instances of unrest have occurred, these incidents have been politically — not communally — motivated against the members and leaders, affiliated with Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. This fact has been confirmed by respected community leaders, including Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus and prominent representatives of the Bangladeshi Hindu community.
- Bangladeshi Hindu Leaders Denounce Allegations of Repression
Prominent Hindu leaders in Bangladesh, such as Govinda Pramanik, have publicly rejected claims of organized violence against minorities. They emphasize that recent disturbances impacted communities across religious lines, resulting from broader political instability (to view Govind Pramanik’s statement, click the link: Govinda Pramanik, Secretary General of the Hindu Mahazot blames Indian media for spreading fake news)
- Statements by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus
In a recent interview, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s Interim Government, clarified that reports of violence against Hindu citizens are exaggerated and often politically motivated rather than communal in nature. The government is committed to ensuring peace and protection for all citizens (to view the full interview with the Press Trust of India, click the link: Attacks On Hindus In Bangladesh Not Communal: Muhammad Yunus
- Verification by International Media
Independent reporting by the BBC’s Disinformation Team confirms that many videos shared online to portray communal violence against Hindus in Bangladesh are misleading. For example, a widely circulated video allegedly showing a Hindu temple set on fire was actually an image of an unrelated political office (see, BBC’s coverage on Far-right spreads false claims about Muslim attacks in Bangladesh).
During a critical transition time when Bangladesh is committed to restoring democracy and upholding human rights after decades of authoritarian repression, Mr. Trump’s statement is irresponsible and unwelcome. He may be either misinformed or disinformed. His statement appears to be aimed at exploiting minority concerns for political gain, undermining international trust and the resilience of Bangladesh’s people. In an election year where the swing voters would possibly make the real difference as to who goes to the White House, while we can understand the motivation for making such false allegations, we deplore such in the strongest terms.
The people and the Interim Government of Bangladesh are all fully committed to minority rights and restoration of democracy. WeLoveBD Inc. stands with the Bangladeshi interim government’s initiatives to safeguard all citizens, irrespective of religious affiliation, and urges foreign leaders to verify facts before disseminating unsubstantiated claims. Bangladesh has a rich tradition of religious plurality and harmony, where people of all faiths live and work together in mutual respect and unity. This commitment to national integrity and unity is foundational to Bangladesh’s identity and will continue to serve as a strong bulwark against any form of extremism, divisiveness, or oppression.
We urge Mr. Trump, and other global leaders, to acknowledge the facts, support democratic progress, and stand with the Bangladeshi people in their journey toward an inclusive and stable future.
About the authors: Abdul A. Bhuiyan is the President, WeLoveBD Inc., which can be reached at welovebd24@gmail.com. Dr. Habib Siddiqui is a peace and human rights activist and is the author of the book – Bangladesh: A Polarized and Divided Nation?, which is available on Amazon.com.