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RSS Calls for International Action Amidst Concerns Over Minority Rights in Bangladesh
Table of Contents
- 1. RSS Calls for International Action Amidst Concerns Over Minority Rights in Bangladesh
- 2. past Context and Current Concerns
- 3. Call for Action and Regional Stability
- 4. How can international pressure and the commitment to human rights principles best work together to ensure the safety and dignity of all communities in Bangladesh?
- 5. Interview: Dr. Maya Sharma on RSS Concerns for Minority Rights in Bangladesh
- 6. Understanding the RSS’s Concerns
- 7. Historical and Geopolitical Perspectives
- 8. Looking Ahead
March 23, 2025
BENGALURU, India — At its annual Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) meeting on Saturday, teh Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), a major Indian institution, voiced strong concerns about the escalating violence against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The RSS warned of a potential “existential crisis” facing the Hindu community in the neighboring nation, urging the United Nations and the broader international community to intervene and pressure Bangladesh to ensure the safety and rights of its minority populations.
The ABPS, the RSSS highest decision-making body, passed a resolution on the second day of its three-day assembly in Bengaluru. The resolution expressed deep apprehension over what it described as “planned violence” perpetrated by radical Islamist elements targeting vulnerable communities within Bangladesh. The organization called for global solidarity, emphasizing the need for concerted international action to address the issue.
“The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha expresses its serious concern on the unabated and planned violence, injustice, and oppression faced by the Hindu and other minority communities at the hands of radical Islamist elements in Bangladesh. This is clearly a serious violation of human rights,”
— RSS joint general secretary Arun Kumar
The RSS has brought to light the alarming decline in the Hindu population in Bangladesh, pointing out a significant drop from 22% in 1951 to a mere 7.9% in the current era. This demographic shift underscores the urgent need for safeguards and protections for minority groups.
past Context and Current Concerns
The plight of religious minorities in Bangladesh is a complex issue rooted in the 1947 partition of India and the subsequent creation of Pakistan, which initially included what is now Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan). While the partition was intended to create separate nations based on religious majority, it also led to significant displacement and communal tensions.
The RSS argues that the original agreement between India and Pakistan included provisions for the protection of minorities in both countries. However, they contend that Bangladesh has failed to adequately uphold these principles since its independence in 1971, leading to ongoing persecution of Hindus and other minority groups.
This situation resonates with similar concerns in the United States regarding religious freedom and the protection of minority rights.The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, but ensuring these rights are upheld in practice remains a constant challenge, even within America.
The RSS’s resolution also referenced alleged governmental and institutional support for violence and hatred. “The governmental and institutional support for the violence and hatred witnessed during last year is a serious cause of concern. Along with this, the persistent anti-Bharat rhetoric in Bangladesh can severely damage the relationship between the two countries,” the resolution stated.
This allegation raises critical questions about the role of state actors in protecting minority rights and the potential for state-sponsored discrimination, a concern not unfamiliar to the U.S., where issues of systemic racism and discrimination are actively debated.
Call for Action and Regional Stability
The ABPS urged the Indian government to make “all possible efforts” to ensure the “protection, dignity, and well-being” of Hindus in Bangladesh, while also engaging in a “continuous and meaningful dialog” with the Bangladeshi government.
Furthermore, the RSS expressed concerns about external forces attempting to destabilize the region. according to the resolution, “There is a concerted effort on the part of some international forces to foment instability in the entire region surrounding Bharat by creating an atmosphere of distrust and confrontation, pitting one contry against another. ABPS calls upon thought leaders and scholars in international relations to keep a vigil on such anti-Bharat atmosphere,activities of Pakistan and the deep state,and expose them.”
The RSS’s concerns about regional stability reflect broader geopolitical anxieties about the rise of extremism and the potential for international actors to exploit internal conflicts. In the U.S. context, this
How can international pressure and the commitment to human rights principles best work together to ensure the safety and dignity of all communities in Bangladesh?
Interview: Dr. Maya Sharma on RSS Concerns for Minority Rights in Bangladesh
march 23, 2025
Archyde News: Welcome, Dr.Sharma. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent resolution passed by the RSS regarding minority rights in Bangladesh. For our viewers, could you briefly introduce yourself and your area of expertise?
Dr. maya Sharma: Thank you for having me. I am Dr. Maya Sharma, a geopolitical analyst specializing in South Asian affairs, with a particular focus on human rights and religious freedom in the region. I’ve followed the situation in Bangladesh for many years.
Understanding the RSS’s Concerns
Archyde News: The RSS has expressed serious concerns about the escalating violence and discrimination faced by Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Can you provide some context on the core issues highlighted in their resolution?
Dr. Maya sharma: Certainly. The primary concern revolves around the safety and well-being of the Hindu community in Bangladesh, especially the increasing incidents of violence and forced conversions. They’ve also pointed to a meaningful demographic decline in the hindu population, which they see as a direct result of persecution. The RSS is worried about this ‘existential crisis’ facing the Hindu community and the systemic issues at the root of this crisis.
Archyde News: The RSS is calling for UN intervention. How significant is such a plea, and what impact could it potentially have?
Dr. Maya Sharma: A call for UN intervention from a prominent institution like the RSS is significant. It signals a growing urgency and a belief that the situation warrants international attention. If the UN takes note, this could lead to diplomatic pressure on the Bangladeshi government to address the concerns raised. The potential impact could include independent investigations, human rights monitoring, and possibly even targeted sanctions if the situation doesn’t improve.
Historical and Geopolitical Perspectives
Archyde News: The article mentions the historical context, including the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan. how relevant is this historical framework to understanding the current situation in Bangladesh?
Dr. Maya Sharma: Extremely relevant. The partition and the subsequent creation of Bangladesh (formerly East pakistan) left a legacy of communal tensions. The RSS argues that the founding agreements included provisions for minority protections, which they believe Bangladesh hasn’t fully upheld. Understanding this historical backdrop helps to contextualize the ongoing grievances and the RSS’s perspective.
Archyde News: The resolution also touches on concerns of regional stability. What are the potential implications of these concerns in the broader geopolitical landscape?
Dr.Maya Sharma: the RSS’s concerns about external forces attempting to destabilize the region reflect wider geopolitical anxieties. The rise of extremism and interference by international actors seeking to exploit internal conflicts is always a risk. This is a matter of serious concern in the region. It highlights the need for vigilance and for regional cooperation to address these threats.
Looking Ahead
Archyde News: The RSS has urged the Indian government to take action. What specific steps could they realistically take in response to this resolution
Dr.Maya Sharma: The Indian government could increase its diplomatic efforts with bangladesh, raising these concerns in bilateral discussions.They could also support international initiatives aimed at protecting minority rights. Furthermore, they might consider providing humanitarian assistance or offering support for human rights monitoring within Bangladesh. India’s role as a regional power gives it influence that it can use to support human rights.
Archyde news: Dr. Sharma, the situation in Bangladesh is complex.What’s one key question that readers should consider as they follow this evolving issue?
Dr. Maya Sharma: I think the most important question readers should consider is: How can international pressure and the commitment to human rights principles best work together to ensure the safety and dignity of all communities in Bangladesh? This highlights the balance that must be struck between diplomacy and advocacy to promote meaningful and positive change. It’s a question that requires ongoing discussion and careful consideration.
