Johnnie Moore, a former Commissioner of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), has strongly criticized the Bangladesh interim government for its handling of the situation involving Hindus and other minorities. In an interview with ANI, he highlighted the widespread fear among minorities and condemned the leadership of Muhammad Yunus, stating, “There isn’t a minority in the country that doesn’t feel under threat right now,” adding that Yunus is failing in his role.
Government Failing to Protect Minorities
Moore emphasized that the primary duty of any government is to safeguard its citizens, especially those under threat. He described the current situation in Bangladesh as an “existential threat not only for the minorities but for the entire country.” He pointed to the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das by the Bangladesh police as a key example of this failure. According to Moore, this high-profile arrest has created a perception among minorities that, “If they’ll go after him, they’ll go after any of us.”
Religious Communities Show Solidarity
Expressing solidarity with the Hindu community, Moore said the global Christian community supports them during these troubling times. He noted, “Bangladesh isn’t just a Muslim country. It’s a Muslim-majority country that has many, many minorities.” He further stressed that religious minorities in Bangladesh are in urgent need of protection and international support.
Concerns Over Rule of Law
Moore also condemned the deteriorating rule of law in Bangladesh. He recounted the alarming sequence of events following Chinmoy Krishna Das’s arrest. Reports indicate that after the priest was denied bail, his lawyer was attacked and killed outside the court by protesters. Moore said this has become a “major rallying point” in the country, underscoring the government’s inability to maintain order.
He criticized interim leader Muhammad Yunus for failing to uphold basic civil protections, stating, “You can’t manage a very simple component of civil society, which is you have to protect people. People have to be safe.” He added, “A vibrant democratic country cannot exist if the rule of law becomes so inefficient that, instead of getting due process, a lawyer is killed.”
Push to Remove Secularism Sparks Concern
Moore also raised alarms over the Bangladesh Attorney General’s push to remove the word “Secular” from the constitution. He warned that such actions, coupled with growing attacks on religious minorities, could deepen the crisis. He urged Bangladesh to seek advice from pluralistic countries like India and the United States, stating, “You can’t make these promises and not keep them. The government must take this issue seriously.”
Leadership Under Scrutiny
Moore criticized Muhammad Yunus for diminishing the severity of the crisis in official statements. “That’s not what a leader does. A leader takes issues like this seriously,” he said, cautioning that continued inaction could have severe consequences. However, he expressed hope that the situation could still be resolved if immediate corrective measures were taken.
ISKCON Shows Support for Arrested Priest
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has also voiced its support for Chinmoy Krishna Das, who faces sedition charges for allegedly raising a flag near Bangladesh’s national flag.
Risks of Straining Ties with India
Moore warned that Bangladesh’s treatment of minorities could jeopardize its relationship with India, a critical ally and regional powerhouse. He highlighted the economic, technological, and political benefits of close ties with India, cautioning that mishandling minority issues risks isolating Bangladesh from such opportunities.
Read: 3 Temples Attacked in Bangladesh’s Chattogram as Violent Clashes Intensify
Moore concluded by urging the interim government to take the crisis seriously and prioritize the safety and rights of all citizens.
