Highlights:
- New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar denounces killing of Hindu man in Bangladesh
- Lawmaker warns of a broader pattern of violence against religious minorities
- Incident sparks concern among diaspora and human rights advocates
- Data cited shows thousands of reported attacks on minorities over the past year
- Rajkumar calls for global solidarity and protection of religious freedom
An Indian-American lawmaker from New York has strongly condemned the killing of a young Hindu man in Bangladesh, warning that the incident reflects a wider and deeply troubling pattern of violence and persecution targeting religious minorities in the country.
In a statement released Tuesday, New York State Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar said she was “deeply disturbed by the ongoing violence against Bangladesh’s Hindu minority,” citing the killing of 25-year-old Dipu Chandra Das as the latest example. Rajkumar described the incident as emblematic of broader insecurity faced by minority communities.
“The killing of Dipu Chandra Das underscores a troubling pattern of violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh,” Rajkumar said. “We must stand together—from Queens to across the globe—for human rights, justice, and religious freedom.”
Das, a Bangladeshi Hindu, was killed earlier this month in Mymensingh. Authorities in Bangladesh have said multiple suspects have been arrested in connection with the case, and investigations remain ongoing. The killing drew international attention and condemnation from rights groups and members of the South Asian diaspora.
Rajkumar emphasized that the incident should not be viewed in isolation. She pointed to data compiled by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, which she said documented thousands of incidents of violence against minorities over the past year.
“According to documented figures, there were more than 2,400 incidents of violence against minorities and over 150 places of worship vandalized between August 2024 and July 2025,” Rajkumar said in her statement. She added that such numbers reflect a climate of fear and uncertainty for minority communities, particularly Hindus.
The assemblywoman said the impact of such violence extends well beyond Bangladesh’s borders, affecting diaspora communities around the world. “From Queens to countries across the globe, people share in the fear, pain, and uncertainty faced by Hindus in Bangladesh,” she said.
Rajkumar represents a district in Queens that includes a large and diverse immigrant population, with significant South Asian and Bangladeshi communities. She has frequently spoken out on civil rights issues, including religious freedom and the protection of vulnerable groups.
Human rights advocates and diaspora organizations have increasingly voiced concern over reports of attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh, particularly amid periods of political tension and social unrest. Calls for accountability and stronger protections have intensified following recent incidents.
In her statement, Rajkumar said she stands in solidarity with Bangladesh’s Hindu community and reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for human rights and religious freedom worldwide.
“We stand with Bangladesh’s Hindu community and with all those who seek dignity, safety, and freedom of belief,” she said.
The remarks add to growing international pressure on Bangladeshi authorities to ensure accountability for acts of violence and to strengthen protections for minority communities amid ongoing concerns over religious intolerance.
