US Congressmen Observe Need to Protect Bangla Hindus

Daya Gamage – US Bureau Asian Tribune

Washington (D.C.): An exhibition of photos and panels vividly describing the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh caught the attention of influential Congressmen and key policymakers from the Bush administration this week.

The two day-exhibition titled "Asru" was held at the Rayburn House Office Building at the US Capitol on July 30 and July 31. The exhibit of 28 panels was put together by the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) and Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism (FACT).

"It is time that the world knew what is happening with the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh," said Amalendu Chatterjee, HRCBM Director. The population of the Hindus in this Muslim-majority country, he pointed out, has dropped from as high as 37 percent in 1940s to a mere 11 percent now.

"It is all because of the atrocities perpetrated on the Hindus by the ruling class all these years," he said.

This first of its kind exhibit had a huge impact on several Congressmen and key policymakers. "All the representatives and their staffers reiterated the need to protect the rights of minorities and to deal with Islamic groups in a resolute manner," said Utsav Chakrabarti, the designer of the exhibit and member of FACT.

Moved by the graphic description of the condition of the Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, powerful Congressman Ed Royce (Republican-California) expressed optimism that due to this effort by HRCBM and FACT, members of Congress will be educated "as to the extreme challenge and persecution faced by Hindus, Buddhists and Christians due to the threat posed by Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh."

Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democratic-New Jersey) sponsored the event at the Capitol and stated: "I believe it helped to bring much-needed attention to the plight of minorities in Bangladesh who have suffered from increasing attacks over the past few years."

Joseph Crowley (Democratic-New York), founder and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Bangladesh, and member of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, said the exhibition "serves as an important reminder to the international community that we must remain vigilant in preventing violence, suffering and loss around the world."

The event also had presentations by Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (Republican-Florida), Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Mark Kir(Republican-Illinois), co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Bangladesh, Rep. Steve Chabot (Republican-Ohio) and Rep. Bob Etheridge (Democratic-North Carolina).

Other speakers at a panel discussion organized during the exhibition period included Richard Benkin, author and human rights activist; Shahriar Kabir, reputed journalist and human rights activist; Samaresh Baidya, senior reporter of Daily Bhorer Kagoj, a news daily in Bangladesh; and Toni Van Pelt, Government Affairs Director, Center for Inquiry Office of Public Policy. Also present at the event were Steve Snow, Senior Policy Analyst at United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), and
T. Kumar, Advocacy Director, Asia & Pacific, Amnesty International USA.

Encouraged by the response, the organizers have decided to take this exhibition to other parts of the country as well, with Houston, Texas being its next destination later this month.

The ‘Asian Tribune’ serialized the pathetic plight of Hindus in Bangladesh who have been subject to discrimination at the hands of the radical Islamic rulers which vividly describe the atrocities against the Hindus in this predominantly Islamic nation in South Asia.

Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) is a non-profit organization holding consultative status with the United Nations. It is dedicated to protecting the human rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism (FACT) is non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the effects of terrorism in South Asia through exhibitions and conferences.

(Source: FACT)

– Asian Tribune –

Source: http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6798

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