Indian Americans are ramping up efforts to engage the Trump administration and Congress in taking decisive action against Bangladesh over alleged persecution of its Hindu minority population. Dr. Bharat Barai, a renowned Indian American physician and community leader, has expressed confidence that President-elect Donald Trump, known for his decisive leadership, will address this pressing issue once he assumes office as the 47th president of the United States.
Barai pointed to Trump’s recent condemnation of attacks on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh as a sign of his potential willingness to act. “He’s a bold person who might consider economic sanctions if the situation doesn’t improve,” Barai said in an interview with PTI. Trump’s earlier statement, issued shortly before the November 5 general elections, strongly criticized the violence in Bangladesh, asserting that such acts of persecution reflect chaos and mismanagement under the current Bangladeshi regime.
In his statement, Trump remarked, “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 also criticized the Biden administration’s handling of religious freedom issues globally, pledging to restore peace and protect Hindu Americans against the “anti-religion agenda of the radical left.” These remarks have bolstered hopes among Indian Americans that the Trump administration will prioritize addressing the plight of Bangladeshi minorities.
Economic Sanctions and International Pressure
Barai and other Indian American leaders are advocating for the imposition of economic sanctions on Bangladesh, targeting its garment exports, which account for 80% of the nation’s economy. “If their garment exports are cut off, what will the people of Bangladesh eat?” Barai asked, emphasizing the potential impact of such measures on the Bangladeshi economy. He accused the caretaker government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, of being a puppet regime controlled by the military. “It is really the army that is in control of the country,” Barai alleged, highlighting concerns about authoritarian governance in Bangladesh.
The Indian American community is actively working to engage members of the new administration and Congress to ensure these concerns are addressed. Barai hopes that the threat of economic sanctions and international pressure will compel Bangladesh to halt the persecution of Hindus and other minorities. “We, as Hindu Americans, will also plead with Congress to act if Bangladesh does not straighten out,” he said.
Barai also urged the Indian government to take a stronger stance against Bangladesh’s treatment of its minority populations. “If they keep harassing Hindus and minorities, India should also impose sanctions on them,” he asserted, calling for a united front to address the crisis.
Broader Geopolitical Concerns and Allegations
Barai linked the persecution in Bangladesh to broader geopolitical dynamics, accusing external forces of interfering in the region. He claimed that even among Bangladesh’s Muslim population, there is growing division over the legitimacy of the caretaker government and its military influence. He further alleged that figures such as George Soros and Peter Omidyar are part of a coordinated agenda to undermine India’s leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and promote opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi.
Barai drew parallels with past incidents, such as alleged riots in Delhi during Trump’s visit to India, which he claimed were orchestrated to coincide with the event. “If you remember, when President Trump visited India about three and a half years ago, riots were engineered, especially in Delhi, to coincide with his visit,” he said.
Expressing frustration with what he termed the “ultra-leftist woke lobby,” Barai criticized their influence on domestic and international politics. “I hope they either come to their senses, are sidelined, or are put in their proper place,” he remarked, emphasizing the need to counter such influences.
At the annual Diwali celebrations at the US Capitol, attended by over two dozen US lawmakers and members of the Indian American community, there was a shared resolve to address the plight of Bangladeshi minorities. Community leaders reiterated their commitment to engaging with the Trump administration and Congress to advocate for economic sanctions and other measures to hold the Bangladeshi regime accountable.
