London, on Wednesday 5th February, a delegation from the British Hindu diaspora met with MP Catherine West, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office to discuss the ongoing persecution and human rights violations of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
The 5-member delegation included members of the Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangh UK, INSIGHT UK, Bangladesh Hindu Association UK, National Hindu Students’ Forum UK and Hindu Aid UK. The discussion was divided into three key sections, each focusing on specific aspects of the crisis and necessary actions.
Reports submitted to Catherine West
Comprehensive reports documenting the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, both historical and ongoing were presented. The reports included detailed statistics showing patterns of ethnic cleansing and violence against the Hindu minority population over time.
A delegate who recently conducted field research in Bangladesh shared firsthand observations of current conditions. Their report highlighted several pressing concerns:
- Ongoing land grabbing from minority communities
- Forced religious conversions
- Systematic discrimination in employment opportunities
- Restricted access to legal protections
The delegation emphasised that these issues require urgent international attention and recognition. They specifically called on the UK government to take a stronger diplomatic stance in protecting minority rights in Bangladesh.
A formal request was made to MP Catherine West to support establishing a Commonwealth-led human rights mission. This proposed mission would include UK minority community representatives conducting an independent assessment of conditions on the ground in Bangladesh.
The presentation underscored the critical need for:
- International recognition of both historical and current persecution
- Enhanced diplomatic pressure from the UK government
- Independent verification through a dedicated human rights mission to Bangladesh
The delegation also emphasised how this issue resonates deeply with the UK’s 1.8 million Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist residents, highlighting that protecting religious minorities abroad is not just an international matter – it directly impacts diaspora communities here in Britain.
The impact on young British Hindus in particular, was expressed on how the situation in Bangladesh affects their sense of identity and connection to their heritage. The persecution of religious minorities overseas has created ripple effects within UK communities, influencing how young people understand and relate to their cultural backgrounds.
The delegation made clear that UK government intervention would serve both humanitarian goals abroad and address legitimate concerns of British citizens at home. This dual impact strengthens the case for meaningful diplomatic action.
Key demands
The meeting ended with presenting demands from various Hindu and other minority groups in Bangladesh and the British Hindu diaspora. These demands included;
- Enforcing protections for religious minorities in Bangladesh
- Urging the Bangladeshi government to uphold non-discriminatory policies
- Calling for the immediate release of unjustly imprisoned individuals such as Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu Das
- The distribution of aid through humanitarian organisations to ensure that minorities receive the aid as the main victims. International monitoring would also be needed for aid distribution
- Action against MP Rupa Huq’s stance on religious minorities
- The UK Department for Education to include Hindu genocides in the GCSE History and Humanities curriculum, alongside other major genocides
MP Catherine West listened attentively and assured the delegation that she would take the matter forward in line with the reports submitted and the demands outlined in the supporting document. All evidence and data were provided to her for reference, and a follow-up meeting was requested to ensure progress and further assess the situation.
