Another dark chapter is unfolding in Bangladesh, unleashing the familiar pain of generational trauma.
The brutal lynching of Dipu Chandra Das — a young Hindu factory worker beaten to death by a mob, his body desecrated and set ablaze from a tree — over alleged blasphemy reminds us that the forces of hatred and extremism have not been contained. This horrific act in Mymensingh, echoes the anarchy and atrocities that descended more than fifty years ago.
Religious minorities in Bangladesh — Bengali Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and others — continue to face targeted violence deeply reminiscent of past pogroms. Reports now document thousands of incidents since the political upheaval of August 2024, with hundreds persisting into 2025: attacks on homes, businesses, temples, and places of worship; murders, sexual assaults, abductions, and forced displacements.
Even as the interim government condemns individual acts and announces arrests, the pattern of persecution persists, fueled by radical elements emboldened in the vacuum of stable governance. Brave Muslims, as they did half a century ago, have shown courage by standing against violent extremists in protecting their neighbours, yet violent mobs too often prevail, spreading fear and uncertainty.
All Bengalis deserve equal protection, citizenship, and freedom from oppression, whether from corrupt authorities of the past or the chaos of rampaging extremist mobs today. No one should suffer unspeakable atrocities simply for their faith. The evil that murdered millions and displaced tens of millions must never be permitted to rise again. In these restless days, I share the profound anxiety felt by Canadian Bengalis whose loved ones remain in harm's way, and call urgently for calm, stability, and the restoration of rule of law during this fragile transition.
I remain deeply grateful to our Conservative Leader, Pierre Poilievre, for his unwavering moral clarity and strength in standing with all Canadian Bengalis. As he has stated: Conservatives stand with the people of Bangladesh in this difficult time. We are horrified by the violence against religious minorities, including Hindus and Christians senselessly targeted by mobs. We condemn all human rights violations and instances of violence against innocent people. We call for democracy, justice for the persecuted, an end to attacks on minorities, and protection ensuring all Bengalis enjoy equal citizenship.
In hours like these, we must call for an immediate end to the pogroms against Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and all minorities, and for accountability of the Yunus government. We must advocate tirelessly for human rights, religious freedom, and accountability, no matter how uncomfortable it makes those who excuse extremism under the guise of political change, those in the media that fail to reflect reality, and those at the United Nations too obsessed with equivalencies to call out violence and religious extremism.
To the Bengali Hindu community in Canada and around the world: We see you. We hear you. Your resilience in the face of hatred inspires us all. As Hindus here confront rising anti-Hindu incidents even on our own soil, your faith and determination shine as a beacon. Together, with real leadership, we will fight for a world where no one fears persecution for who they are..
