Indian Americans call for sanctions on Bangladesh over alleged persecution of Hindus

Indian Americans are planning to engage with the Donald Trump administration and Congress next year to press for action against Bangladesh’s government. 

Their goal is to advocate for economic sanctions, citing the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Dr. Bharat Barai, a prominent Indian American leader, expressed hope that Trump would take action on the issue once he is inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States, according to reports from *The Week*. 

“He has made bold statements about the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh and the desecration of Hindu temples,” Barai told PTI in an interview. “He’s a bold individual who might consider economic sanctions if the situation doesn’t improve,” he added.

During the annual Diwali celebrations in Washington, attended by U.S. lawmakers and Indian Americans, Dr. Barai stated that the community is working to encourage the new administration and Congress to take action against the Bangladeshi government, including advocating for sanctions. 

“If their garment exports, which make up 80% of their business, are cut off, what will the people of Bangladesh eat?” he questioned, accusing Bangladesh’s caretaker government, led by Muhammad Yunus, of being a puppet controlled by the military. “It is really the army that is in control of the country,” he added.

Barai expressed hope that international pressure would force Bangladesh to end the persecution of Hindus and other minorities. He also called on the Indian government to address the issue with Bangladesh and consider imposing sanctions if the situation does not improve.

On November 5, Donald Trump condemned the attacks on Hindus in violence-stricken Bangladesh. 

"I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are being attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos,” Trump said. “This would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength,” he added.

Barai also noted that many are discussing external interference in the overthrow of Bangladesh’s democratically elected government. “Even among the Muslims now, there is a split. Some believe the Democrats engineered this coup in their countries, both in Pakistan and Bangladesh,” he said.