‘Acts of bigotry’: Concern over lynching of Bangladeshi Hindu echoes in the US

US Congressman Ro Khanna condemns lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh

Concern over the lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh has drawn strong reactions from the United States, with the US State Department condemning the killing and Congressman Ro Khanna calling for an unequivocal stand against religious hatred.

The remarks come days after Dipu Chandra Das, a 29-year-old Hindu garment worker, was lynched by a mob in Mymensingh on December 18 over allegations of blasphemy. His body was later set on fire, triggering outrage both within Bangladesh and internationally.

Also read: Hindu protest over Bangladesh lynching in London disrupted by Khalistani counter-demonstrators

A US State Department spokesperson told IANS, “The United States unequivocally condemns religious violence in all its forms, and we welcome measures the Bangladeshi Interim Government is taking to ensure the safety and security for all communities in Bangladesh.” The spokesperson added that Washington supports “religious freedom and freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, and association”.

US Congressman Ro Khanna also condemned the killing, describing it as “horrific” and urging global voices to speak out against hatred. In a post on X, he said his “thoughts and prayers” were with Das’s family and stressed, “We must unequivocally condemn and speak out against these vile acts of hatred and bigotry.”

The violence has not remained an isolated incident. A week after Das’s killing, another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, also known as Samrat, was beaten to death by locals in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district, further deepening concerns over minority safety.

The incidents have sparked protests worldwide. In the UK, members of the Bengali Hindu Adarsha Sangha (BHAS) organised a “Justice for Hindus” demonstration outside the Bangladesh High Commission in London, condemning what they described as the “unethical arrest of interfaith voice Chinmaya Prabhu” and the lynching of Dipu Das.

Similar protests were held across Nepal, including in Birgunj, Janakpurdham and Golbazar, where demonstrators briefly blocked sections of the East-West Highway. Protesters raised slogans demanding an end to the killing of Hindus, protection for minorities and respect for human rights.

In India, demonstrations were reported in several cities, including Delhi, Kolkata, Bhopal and Hyderabad. Organisations such as the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal gathered outside Bangladeshi diplomatic missions last week to protest the attacks.

Responding to the developments, India’s Ministry of External Affairs described the situation as a matter of “grave concern” but rejected suggestions of a diplomatic strain. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “India stands for strengthening our ties with the people of Bangladesh. We favour peace and stability in Bangladesh. And we stand for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in Bangladesh.”

Ro Khanna, a Democratic Congressman from California’s 17th Congressional District, is the son of Indian immigrants and is known for his advocacy on human rights, civil liberties and minority protections, including issues related to South Asia.