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Rupa Huq given misleading information during her Dhaka visit

MP Rupa Huq’s recent trip to Bangladesh to investigate allegations of genocide against Hindus, has ignited controversy. Her visit was marked by limited access and misleading information from the Bangladeshi government, along with statements from Advocate Gobinda Pramanik, who allegedly denied the occurrence of genocide against Hindus.

Allegations suggest that fabricated information from the Bangladeshi government and Jamaat-e-Islami, a political party with a controversial history, influenced MP Huq’s findings. If this version of events is accepted by the UK government, it could have devastating implications for minority communities in Bangladesh, who face violence, persecution, and systemic discrimination.

INSIGHT UK, a social organization representing the interests of the British Hindu and Indian communities, has called on the UK government to reject MP Huq's findings, arguing that they do not accurately reflect the ground realities. In an article published on its website on January 10, 2025, and authored by Prajnan Sharma, the organization stresses the importance of a credible and impartial investigation. They advocate for a multi-party delegation with unrestricted access to ensure accurate reporting. Additionally, INSIGHT UK urges the UK government to dismiss Huq's conclusions and to organize a diverse team that can gather firsthand accounts from victims, ultimately working towards restoring justice and human dignity for minority communities in Bangladesh.

This article aims to expose the inconsistencies in MP Huq’s visit and advocate for a more credible investigation involving a multi-party delegation with representation from diverse organisations, including the Human Rights Congress for Bangladeshi Minorities, ISKCON, Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, and the National Council of Churches in Bangladesh, under international supervision. The following are excerpts from the article:

The Orchestration of Misinformation

British-Bangladeshi MP Rupa Huq planned her Bangladesh visit to investigate atrocities against minority communities and restore democracy. During her trip, MP Huq was reportedly misguided by Advocate Gobinda Pramanik and members of the current Bangladesh Government. Instead of facilitating a thorough, transparent investigation, Pramanik allegedly provided MP Huq with misleading information, denying the existence of any genocide against Hindus in Bangladesh. Furthermore, MP Huq’s itinerary was restricted, preventing her from visiting key areas where the alleged atrocities occurred. Such limitations compromised the integrity of her fact-finding mission and obscured the true situation on the ground.

Advocate Pramanik’s involvement in MP Huq’s visit is particularly troubling. His denial of the genocide allegations conflicts with numerous reports and testimonies from victims, human rights organisations, and independent investigators. By presenting a fabricated version of events, Pramanik’s narrative risks erasing the lived experiences of countless victims and perpetuating a cycle of injustice and neglect. Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote has condemned Pramanik’s statement denying Hindu genocide in Bangladesh. According to M.K. Roy, General Secretary of Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote, “The Hindu community of this country rejected the ‘shameful’ statement of Gobinda Pramanik, who was expelled from Hindu Mohajote on January 16, 2020.” Allegations suggest Pramanik’s views align with Jamaat-e-Islami’s agenda, further casting doubt on his credibility.

Documented Persecution: Timeline and Locations

Reports from organisations like BHAS UK and Insight UK highlight a grim reality for Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh:

• Major Incidents: Violence against minorities has been reported in 29 of Bangladesh’s 64 districts. These include attacks on 14 temples, murders, rapes, and wrongful arrests of Hindu spiritual leaders.

• Geographic Hotspots: The Khulna, Jashore, Satkhira, and Magura divisions have experienced the most severe incidents.

Insight UK has meticulously documented these atrocities, providing a detailed factsheet with dates, locations, and victim names. This evidence contradicts the sanitized narrative presented during MP Huq’s visit. You can find the Insight UK factsheet here.

A Call for a Comprehensive Investigation

MP Rupa Huq’s visit, though well-intentioned, highlights the urgent need for a robust, impartial inquiry into the situation. To address the concerns effectively, we propose the following actions:

1. Reject the Current Report: The UK government should reject MP Huq's findings, as they fail to reflect the ground realities.

2. Organise a Multi-Party Delegation: A delegation with diverse representation should be formed under international supervision. Some of the organisations that need to be included are:

   • ISKCON

   • Ramkrishna Mission

   • Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote

   • Human Rights Congress for Bangladeshi Minorities

   • Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance

   • National Council of Churches in Bangladesh

3. Unrestricted Access: Delegates must be granted unrestricted access to key areas of violence and allowed to collect firsthand accounts from victims.

4. Engage with Affected Individuals: The delegation should meet with prominent victims and their families to gather credible testimonies. Some of the key names include:

   • ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das

   • Kushal Baran Chakraborty, Assistant Professor, University of Chittagong

   • Ujjal Chakraborty, resident of Rauzan in Chattogram

   • Utsav Mandal, a common Hindu Youth

   • Community leaders like Bablu Kumar Saha (Union Parishad Chairman of Narkelbaria)

5. Advocate for Justice and Equality: A concerted effort must be made to restore justice and ensure the safety of minority communities in Bangladesh, including reviewing any trade relations with organisations in Bangladesh that do not have equal employment laws for minorities.

6. Anonymous Mechanism for Evidence Submission: Allow Bangladeshi citizens to reach out to the inquiry anonymously to submit evidence, circumventing any attempts to block access to the voices of minorities.

7. Restoring Human Dignity: The persecution of Hindu and other minority communities in Bangladesh is not just a regional issue but a global human rights concern. A credible investigation is crucial to uncover the truth, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure the dignity and safety of these communities.

The UK Government must act decisively by organising a multi-MP delegation to investigate the allegations thoroughly. Only through transparency, collaboration, and a commitment to justice can we hope to address these grave injustices and uphold the principles of human rights.