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BThe former Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom said the global Christian community stood with the Hindu community in Bangladesh
former Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom Rev. Johnie Moore. (Photo: X)
US President-elect Donald Trump’s former spiritual advisor Rev Johnnie Moore slammed Bangladesh’s interim government for the plight of Hindus and other minorities in the country, saying almost all minority communities in Bangladesh felt threatened at the moment and that Muhammad Yunus was failing.
During an interview with news agency ANI, Moore said it was the government’s responsibility to protect those under threat. He also said that this was a moment of “existential threat not only for the minorities of Bangladesh but for the entire country”.
“We’re unsure who’s truly responsible, but from what I see, Muhammad Yunus is failing. That’s what’s happening in Bangladesh right now. As the country’s leader, or interim leader, there are no clear aspirations for the Bangladeshi people. If you can’t manage something as basic as ensuring people’s safety—protecting people—then something’s wrong. If the rule of law is so ineffective that instead of due process, a lawyer is killed, that’s unbelievable. I was shocked by Yunus’s response, as well as the Bangladesh government’s. They claim it’s exaggerated, that it’s not as serious as it appears,” he said.
The former Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said the global Christian community stood with the Hindu community in Bangladesh and that “Yunus must fix this now”.
Moore Urges Human Rights Groups To Speak Up
Moore urged human rights organisations to speak out against the atrocities committed against Hindus following recent reports of minority persecution in Bangladesh.
“Human rights and religious freedom organizations should raise their voices at every opportunity. Unfortunately, when the Hindu community faces persecution around the world, fewer people speak up. I’m committed to doing the opposite, and I’m calling on global human rights and religious freedom organizations to join me. When Muhammad Yunus became interim leader of Bangladesh, he made promises about democracy, the rule of law, and values cherished by the West and international institutions. This is now an existential crisis, not just for the minorities of Bangladesh but for the country as a whole. It’s time to advocate for human rights and religious freedom and make our voices heard,” he said.
Moore also stated that Bangladesh should seek better relations with India rather than foster animosity.
“India is the largest and most important country in the region, and instead of the growing enmity between Bangladesh and India, it should be the opposite. It’s fine to have political disagreements—countries do that all the time—but the way this crisis is being handled risks not only escalating tensions but also denying the Bangladeshi people the benefits of a close relationship with India, an economic, technological, and political powerhouse,” he said.
He continued, “Bangladesh has the option to chart a new political path while embracing everything it can gain from its powerful neighbour. Or, Bangladesh can choose to go its way. But if it does, who will align with Bangladesh? My concern is that some who offer help may have ulterior motives. We cannot afford to let Bangladesh fall under the control of terrorists, communists, or other groups with harmful agendas, as this would pose a threat not only to Bangladesh and Southeast Asia but to the entire world,” said Johnnie Moore.
Bangladesh Protests, Arrest Of Hindu Monk
Massive protests have rocked Bangladesh after the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu at Dhaka airport on November 25. Saiful Islam Alif, a lawyer, was hacked to death when thousands gathered outside a court in Chittagong demanding the release of an arrested Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, who was later denied bail and sent to jail on charges of sedition.
Prabhu was a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and was recently expelled. He was denied bail on Tuesday, leading to further protests by the Hindu community who cited atrocities against them under the Yunus administration.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh High Court on Thursday refused to pass an order to ban the activities of ISKCON in the country.
During the hearing of the petition seeking a ban on ISKCON, the Attorney General’s Office said the government authorities had taken necessary measures.