By Prajnan Sharma
MP Rupa Huq’s recent visit to Bangladesh on 4th January 2025, aimed at addressing issues of democracy and investigating allegations of Hindu genocide, has stirred controversy.
Her visit, marked by restricted access and exclusion from critical sites where atrocities allegedly occurred, raises serious concerns about the accuracy and intent of the information presented to her.
Allegations suggest that fabricated information from the Bangladeshi government and Jamaat-e-Islami, a political party with a controversial history, influenced MP Huq’s findings. If this version of events is accepted by the UK government, it could have devastating implications for minority communities in Bangladesh, who face violence, persecution, and systemic discrimination.
This article aims to expose the inconsistencies in MP Huq’s visit and advocate for a more credible investigation involving a multi-party delegation with representation from diverse organisations, including the Human Rights Congress for Bangladeshi Minorities, ISKCON, Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, and the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh, under international supervision.
British-Bangladeshi MP Rupa Huq planned her Bangladesh visit to investigate the atrocities against minority communities and restore democracy. During her trip, MP Huq was reportedly misguided by Advocate Gobinda Pramanik and the members of the current Bangladesh Government. Instead of facilitating a thorough transparent investigation, Pramanik allegedly provided MP Huq with misleading information, denying the existence of any genocide against Hindus in Bangladesh. Furthermore, MP Huq’s itinerary was restricted, preventing her from visiting key areas where the alleged atrocities occurred. Such limitations compromised the integrity of her fact-finding mission and obscured the true situation on the ground.
Advocate Pramanik’s involvement in MP Huq’s visit is particularly troubling. His denial of the genocide allegations conflicts with numerous reports and testimonies from victims, human rights organisations, and independent investigators. By presenting a fabricated version of events, Pramanik’s narrative risks erasing the lived experiences of countless victims and perpetuating a cycle of injustice and neglect. Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote has condemned the statement of Gobinda Pramanik on his denial of Hindu genocide in Bangladesh. As per M.K. Roy, General Secretary of Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote, “The Hindu community of this country rejected the ‘shameful’ statement of Gobinda Pramanik, who was expelled from Hindu Mohajote on 16 January 2020.” Allegations suggest Pramanik’s views align with Jamaat-e-Islami’s agenda, further casting doubt on his credibility.
Reports from organisations like BHAS UK and Insight UK highlight a grim reality for Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh:
Major Incidents: Violence against minorities has been reported in 29 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts. These include attacks on 14 temples, murders, rapes, and wrongful arrests of Hindu spiritual leaders.
Geographic Hotspots: The Khulna, Jashore, Satkhira, and Magura divisions have experienced the most severe incidents.
Insight UK has meticulously documented these atrocities, providing a detailed factsheet with dates, locations, and victim names. This evidence contradicts the sanitized narrative presented during MP Huq’s visit. Link to Insight UK factsheet can be found here: https://insightuk.org/bangladesh-hindu-genocide-factsheet-2024
MP Rupa Huq’s visit, though well-intentioned, highlights the urgent need for a robust, impartial inquiry into the situation. To address the concerns effectively, we propose the following actions:
The UK Government must act decisively by organising a multi-MP delegation to investigate the allegations thoroughly. Only through transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to justice can we hope to address these grave injustices and uphold the principles of human rights.
