US Wants Bangladesh to Protect Rights of Hindus During Durga Puja Celebrations

The United States wants to see the rights of the minority communities protected in Bangladesh as Hindus celebrate Durga Puja festival.

The US statement coincides with the rise in attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasina government in August. Nobel Prize winner Muhammad Yunus heads the caretaker government in Bangladesh.

“Of course, we want to see the rights of minorities protected in Bangladesh as also is true all around the world,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference while answering a question about the threat being posed to the Hindu community by some religious fundamentalists as they celebrate their largest festival, Durga Puja.

India has also asked the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure peaceful religious events for the Hindu community living there.

According to a UN report, more than 600 people, including Hindus, were killed during violent protests in Bangladesh that ended in the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.