The US-government led by President Joe Biden has declined to comment on the plight of the Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. While responding to a query on atrocities against Hindu Americans and Hindus in Bangladesh, the official White House Spokesperson Jean Pierre said that they are continuing to monitor the situation but they don’t have anything else to add. Additionally, in response to another query, the White House Spokesperson denied Sheikh Hasina’s claim of US involvement in her ouster.
Notably, on Tuesday (12th August), the White House official Spokesperson Jean Pierre addressed a press briefing (full transcript) in which a journalist named Lalit asked her questions on the ongoing developments in Bangladesh and US-India ties.
During the briefing, the journalist, Lalit, highlighted that over the weekend, several Hindu American groups held a protest march in front of the White House urging the President to take steps to stop the atrocities against Hindu Americans and Hindus in Bangladesh. He added that two Hindu lawmakers, hailing from the Democratic Party – Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar – have also written letters to the administration seeking their help in stopping these atrocities against Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh.
The White House declines to give specific comments about the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh by Islamists.
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Responding to it, the White House Spokesperson, Jean Pierre said, “So, look, we’re going to continue, certainly, to monitor the situation. I don’t have anything else to add beyond that.”
She, however, claimed that the US President has been very consistent in speaking loud and clear in public and also privately on any type of Human Rights issues. But on the specific issue of atrocities of Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, the White House Spokesperson said that they don’t have any specific engagement to speak to at this time.
White House denies Sheikh Hasina’s claim of US involvement, says reports and rumours about US involvement are simply false
Lalit had also asked the White House Spokesperson about Former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina’s allegation that she was forced out of power because the US wanted one of the Bangladeshi Islands. The Former Bangladeshi PM added that she was forced to resign because she didn’t agree to the US demand to give away St Martin Island.
Responding to her allegations, White House Spokesperson Pierre said, “So, we have had no involvement at all. Any reports or rumours that the United States government was involved in these events is simply, simply false.”
She added, “That is not true. This is a choice for and by the Bangladeshi people. We believe that the Bangladeshi people should determine the future of the Bangladeshi government, and that’s where we stand. Any allegations, certainly, we will continue to say, and I have said here, is simply not true.”
In response to a query on Joe Biden’s policy on India-US relationship and on Quad during his remaining stint as President, she said that the US president views India-US ties as one of the most consequential in the world.
Regarding India-US ties, the White House spokesperson said, “So, look, the president views the United States’ relationship with India as one of the most consequential in the world. And so, we work closely with India on most vital priorities, including through the Quad and the U.S.-India initiative on the — Critical and Emerging Technology.”
She added, “And so, we look forward to continuing to expand our critical and critically important partnership and how it’s going to benefit the American people. And we want to create more prosperous and secure Indo-Pacific and the world. And so, that is going to continue to be our focus as we move forward.”
Sheikh Hasina’s specific allegations and the ongoing religious persecution of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has alleged that the USA is behind her ouster from power. Hasina, who is currently taking refuge in India after she was forced to leave Bangladesh following violent protests, recently said that the USA orchestrated her removal from the post of PM because she refused to hand over Saint Martin Island to the US which would have enabled the western superpower to have “sway over the Bay of Bengal”.
According to the former Bangladesh PM, the USA wants the island because they want to build a military base on it.
It is pertinent to note that, OpIndia had also reported on the day of her resignation how the US could have played in political turmoil in Bangladesh leading to the removal of Hasina from the post of Prime Minister.
Nonetheless, following her violent ouster from the country’s politics, violence has escalated in Bangladesh and since then, the Islamist mobs have been launching targeted attacks on leaders and supporters of erstwhile ruling party, Awami league and committing religious persecution and atrocities against Hindus and other religious minorities in the country. More than 200 incidents of attacks have been reported against Hindus and other minority groups within a span of a few days.
