Indian Americans are planning to engage with the Donald Trump administration and Congress next year to push for action against Bangladesh’s government.
They aim to seek economic sanctions, citing the alleged persecution of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
Dr Bharat Barai, an influential Indian American leader, expressed optimism that Trump would take action on the issue following his inauguration as the 47th president of the United States (US), reports The Week.
He (Trump) has made a bold statement about the persecution of Bangladeshi Hindus and the desecration of Hindu temples,” Barai told PTI in an interview.
"He’s a bold person who might consider economic sanctions if the situation doesn't improve," he added.
At the annual Diwali celebrations in Washington, attended by US lawmakers and Indian Americans, Dr Bharat Barai said that community members are working to urge the new administration and Congress to take action against the Bangladeshi government, including advocating for economic sanctions.
"If their garment exports, which account for 80% of their business, are cut off, what will the people of Bangladesh eat?” he asked, alleging that Bangladesh’s caretaker government, led by Muhammad Yunus, is merely a puppet controlled by the military. “It is really the army that is in control of the country,” he added.
Barai hopes that international pressure will compel Bangladesh to end the persecution of Hindus and other minorities.
He also urged the Indian government to address the issue with Bangladesh and consider imposing sanctions if the situation does not improve.
Donald Trump on November 5 condemned the attack on Hindus in violence-hit Bangladesh.
"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,” Trump said.
"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,” then said.
Barai said a lot of people are talking about external interference in the overthrow of a democratically elected government in Bangladesh. "Even among the Muslims now, there is a split. Some think that the Democrats engineered this coup in their countries, both Pakistan as well as Bangladesh,” he said.