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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump has condemned the violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh.
In his Diwali greetings on X (formerly Twitter), Trump said that Bangladesh remains in a state of chaos and blamed US President Joe Biden and Vice President Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris for the violence.
“I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos. It would have never happened on my watch. Kamala and Joe have ignored Hindus across the world and in America. They have been a disaster from Israel to Ukraine to our own Southern Border, but we will Make America Strong Again and bring back Peace through Strength!” said Trump.
In August, as Bangladesh’s military essentially joined hands with pro-Pakistan parties and Islamists protesting against longtime ruler Sheikh Hasina, the premier fled the country. In the wake of Hasina’s ouster, a wave of sectarian violence has enveloped Bangladesh in which common Hindus, Hindu temples, as well as Hindu lawmakers and other public places associated with Hindus have been systematically attacked in hundreds of incidents with impunity.
Politicising the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus, Trump went on to bash the Democrats in the post.
“We will also protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left. We will fight for your freedom,” said Trump.
Some Hindu-American organisations have hailed Trump’s post. Hindus for America First, which has formally endorsed Trump, thanked Trump “for showing moral clarity and unequivocally condemning anti-Hindu pogroms in Bangladesh”, according to PTI.
“Trump is a great man and, a great leader, full credit goes to him for wishing all the Hindus, Buddhists, and Jain Sikhs a very blessed Diwali. I think Trump really, really cares about these communities. He really understands what’s going on in Bangladesh. He sees the ongoing persecution of Hindus. He is concerned about religious minorities that are suffering right now in that country,” said Utsav Sanduja, the founder and head of Hindus for America First.