Why is Global Media Silent on the Lynching of Hindu Youth in Bangladesh?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CoHNA's condemnation of the lynching reflects the need for global awareness.
- The silence of international media on the incident raises serious concerns.
- This violence highlights the ongoing persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
- Global institutions must address religious intolerance and advocate for minority rights.
- Public awareness can play a critical role in seeking justice for victims like Das.
Washington, Dec 20 (NationPress) The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA), a prominent global advocacy group, has voiced serious concerns about the apparent inaction of international media and communities regarding the violence faced by Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
This statement comes in light of the mob lynching of a Hindu individual, Dipu Chandra Das, on Thursday night in the Bhaluka Upazila of Mymensingh district, stemming from allegations of blasphemy against Islam.
The organisation condemned this horrific act, where an Islamist mob not only lynched and killed Das but also hung his body from a tree and set it ablaze, warning that Bangladesh is “slipping into a state of barbarism,” with Hindus bearing the brunt of such violence.
CoHNA also denounced the assaults on diplomats and the vandalism of media outlets like The Daily Star and Prothom Alo, which have endeavored to “continue reporting on the growing wave of Islamist terror.”
“It is no surprise that global institutions are intervening to suppress and sanitize the religious intolerance that fuels this violence,” stated CoHNA.
The organisation criticized the international media for its failure to cover the brutal murder of Das, despite the existence of numerous distressing images and videos documenting the incident.
Moreover, it pointed out that the United Nations Human Rights Commission and other international human rights organizations have yet to address the killing of the Hindu youth, who was robbed of his fundamental human right to life.
“The UN Human Rights Commission released a statement condemning the assassination of an Islamist leader, yet it did not even mention Das or the ongoing violence against minorities. Das was denied his most fundamental human right—the right to life. However, due to his Hindu identity, the UN and human rights organizations seem indifferent to Das,” CoHNA remarked.
The organisation further highlighted that the US Embassy in Dhaka condemned the Islamist leader's death in a post on X, but failed to mention Das.
CoHNA cautioned that in the coming weeks and months, commentators might label those advocating for justice for Das as “Hindu Nationalists,” “Right-wing,” “Hindutva,” or “agents of the Indian state.”
“Elite scholars will dismiss the existence of Hinduphobia, ridicule our calls for acknowledgment of anti-Hindu hatred, and accuse us of fostering division and misinformation. They will do this with confidence and credibility because of the intentional exclusion of Das' name and murder by those who are supposed to be the global stewards of public records,” the group stated.
“In just a few days, Dipu Chandra Das, murdered by Islamist extremists, will fade from the world's memory, mourned only by his impoverished family. Our efforts in Bangladesh have consistently highlighted this troubling trend,” it added.