By Ritu Jha-
Hindu groups in the San Francisco Bay Area have launched a billboard campaign to raise awareness about ongoing atrocities against religious minorities in Bangladesh. The campaign, titled #AskYunusWhy, aims to question Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, about the continued persecution of Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in the country.
The billboard initiative began in December, with the first display located on Freeway 880-North near Market Street in Oakland. Another billboard followed in early January in San Mateo-Hayward on CA-92 Westbound. Over the next three months, digital billboards will be featured at six key locations across the Bay Area, including high-traffic areas and major bridges, with messages designed to spark conversations and raise awareness.
The United Hindu Council, the organization behind the campaign, described it as a success in increasing awareness both within the Indian community and globally.
“We have seen how biased Western media is when it comes to issues impacting particularly the Hindu community,” the group said in a statement. “In front of their eyes, Bangladesh Hindus are being butchered, and there is hardly any acknowledgment or concern.”
According to the United Hindu Council, the Hindu population in Bangladesh has dropped from 28% in 1947 to just 8% today, with ongoing violence and persecution escalating in recent years. The group points to the period following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August as a significant turning point, with the violence against religious minorities reportedly becoming state-sponsored.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Christian Unity Council, an organization focused on protecting the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh, claims there have been 1,769 communal attacks and acts of vandalism since August. These incidents are said to have impacted over 2,000 lives, properties, and places of worship belonging to minority communities.
Samir Kalra, managing director of policy and programs, said the campaign was launched to address the lack of awareness surrounding the violence.
“There has been very little awareness about the current violence or history of violence against Bangladeshi Hindus,” Kalra said. “Mainstream media has chosen to ignore this or downplay it.”
In addition to the billboard campaign, advocacy efforts have been made to encourage the U.S. government to take action. As a U.S.-based nonprofit, the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) has been working with government officials and grassroots organizations to push for stronger protections for minorities in Bangladesh.
Kalra stated that the HAF has met with U.S. Department of State officials and has worked to mobilize the community to contact their elected representatives in support of religious freedom in Bangladesh.
The campaign comes at a time when police in Bangladesh have reported a significant number of communal attacks since the ousting of Hasina. While some government statements have downplayed the severity of the violence, describing many incidents as politically motivated rather than religiously motivated, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddha Christian Unity Council continues to demand greater accountability and protection for religious minorities.
The interim Bangladesh government has pledged a zero-tolerance policy toward communal violence and announced measures to compensate victims and ensure their safety.
“The Interim Government has a zero-tolerance policy towards any communal attacks in the country,” the government said in a statement. “Police have been ordered to arrest the culprits. The Interim Government attaches the highest importance to the establishment of human rights in the country irrespective of creed, colour, ethnicity, sex, and gender.
“Police have set up a WhatsApp to receive allegations of communal violence. They maintain continuous contact with the minority community leaders. National Emergency Services 999 connects a Focal Point from police headquarters whenever an allegation of communal violence is reported to the Helpline number. Police have attached the highest importance to addressing all the allegations”
Despite these statements, many activists and community members remain skeptical, highlighting the need for continued international attention and support.
The billboard campaign is expected to continue throughout the Bay Area over the coming months, as its organizers push to keep the issue of minority persecution in Bangladesh at the forefront of global discussions.
[Photo courtesy: United Hindu Council and HAF]