Islamist mobs have brutally attacked the Hindu community in Bangladesh, targeting their homes, shops and temples. These acts of violence stem from deep-seated communal hatred. However, certain voices, including Meenakshi Ganguly, Deputy Asia Director of Human Rights Watch, have attempted to downplay the Anti-Hindu Violence atrocities by framing them as politically motivated violence.
The Narrative Shift
On August 7th, Meenakshi Ganguly commented on X (formerly Twitter) about the burning of musician Rahul Ananda’s house. This tragic event occurred amidst ongoing attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. Ganguly claimed that these attacks were politically motivated, stating, “In #Bangladesh, musician Rahul Ananda’s house burned in an ugly spree of attacks on Hindu minorities because they traditionally supported Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. Authorities should ensure rule of law, identify & prosecute perpetrators.”
This narrative, which suggests that the violence serves as political retribution rather than a result of anti-Hindu sentiment, misleads and obscures the true nature of these attacks. It offers a convenient excuse for those committing these crimes.
SHOCKING NEWS 🚨 The New York Times Calls Anti-Hindu Violence In Bangladesh ‘Revenge Attacks’.
After massive backlash from Hindus across the globe, The New York Times quietly & shamelessly changed its headline.
Media firm has released no apology or explanation so far.
Hindus’… pic.twitter.com/4ChCilxI1O
— Times Algebra (@TimesAlgebraIND) August 8, 2024
The Brutal Reality Anti-Hindu Violence
The incident involving Rahul Ananda highlights just one of many recent attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. On August 5th, an Islamist mob attacked Ananda’s rental home, where he lived with his family. Fortunately, they managed to escape, but their 140-year-old home, filled with history and memories, was reduced to ashes.
These attacks form part of a broader pattern of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, which has persisted for years. The perpetrators clearly intend to harm the Hindu community, driven by communal hatred rather than political reasons.
Sinister Pattern of Whitewashing Anti-Hindu Violence
Meenakshi Ganguly has a history of distorting facts to fit a particular narrative. In 2019, she controversially claimed that the Indian state “asked” Kashmiri Pandits to leave the valley in 1990, a statement widely criticized for its insensitivity and inaccuracy.
Ganguly isn’t alone in her attempts to shift the narrative. The New York Times recently faced backlash for an article headline that framed the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh as “revenge” for their support of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League. Although public outcry prompted a headline change, the article’s content continued to push the narrative of politically motivated violence, ignoring the communal hatred driving these attacks.
A Dangerous Justification
Even if one accepts the argument that Hindus in Bangladesh are being targeted for their political affiliations, this doesn’t justify the violence. However, evidence suggests otherwise. In one horrific incident, an Islamist mob surrounded the body of a deceased Hindu, stripping the corpse to check for circumcision—a gruesome method to confirm the victim’s religious identity. The mob’s jubilation upon discovering that the victim was Hindu reveals the true nature of this violence: it stems from religious hatred, not politics.
The Consequences of Whitewashing
By framing anti-Hindu violence as politically motivated, Meenakshi Ganguly, Human Rights Watch, and others are misleading the public and providing cover for those committing these heinous acts. This narrative allows perpetrators to evade accountability and encourages them to continue their attacks without fear of reprisal.
Furthermore, such whitewashing undermines the credibility of human rights organizations, which should stand for justice and truth. Downplaying the religious hatred fuelling these attacks risks losing the trust of the very communities they claim to protect.
The attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh highlight the ongoing communal tensions in the region. While political dynamics may play a role, the primary motivation behind these attacks remains clear: deep-seated hatred against Hindus. Acknowledging and addressing this reality is crucial, rather than obscuring it with misleading narratives.
