UK Lawmaker Condemns Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh, Urges Stronger Diplomatic Action.

Upananda Brahmachari | HENB | New Delhi | Jan 11, 2026:: A senior British opposition leader brlonging the Conservative Party has voiced grave concern over a surge in violence targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh, describing recent killings of Hindus as “unacceptable” and calling on the UK government to take a more active diplomatic role in addressing the crisis.

Priti Patel, the UK’s Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, said the situation in Bangladesh has become increasingly alarming amid reports of repeated attacks on Hindu communities. In a formal letter to the UK Foreign Secretary, Patel highlighted reports indicating that at least six Hindus were killed over an 18-day period, a development she said underscores a disturbing pattern of persecution.

Patel urged the British government to use its international influence and convening power to support stability in Bangladesh and to ensure that religious freedom and minority protections are upheld. She stressed that safeguarding vulnerable communities must be central to the UK’s engagement with Dhaka.

Taking her X handle, Priti wrirtes: “The situation in Bangladesh is very concerning. Religious freedoms should be protected and the murders of Hindus and persecution taking place are wrong and must stop.”

Recalling discussions held in late 2024, Patel referred to assurances previously given by the then Minister for the Indo-Pacific, who had stated in Parliament that the UK was monitoring attacks on Hindu communities and engaging Bangladeshi authorities on minority protection. Patel questioned what concrete steps had been taken since then, particularly in light of the recent escalation in violence.

In her letter, she sought detailed clarification on the UK government’s diplomatic outreach, asking what direct communication ministers have had with Bangladeshi officials in recent weeks, what guarantees—if any—have been received regarding the safety of Hindu communities, and whether the Bangladesh High Commissioner in London has been formally engaged on the issue. She also pressed for information on coordination with regional partners to help restore stability and promote respect for minority rights in the country.

The concerns come amid broader international criticism of the situation in Bangladesh, where violence against minorities, including Hindus, has reportedly intensified under the interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus. Human rights groups and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora have expressed alarm over what they describe as systematic targeting of minority populations.

Adding to these concerns, the Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) has released stark figures pointing to a sustained pattern of violence nationwide. According to the organisation, at least 116 deaths of minority community members were documented between June 2025 and early January 2026, spanning all eight administrative divisions and 45 districts. The reported cases include lynchings, confirmed murders and suspicious deaths.

In a statement shared on social media, HRCBM asserted that the violence cannot be dismissed as sporadic or localized, arguing instead that it reflects a widespread and coordinated pattern of atrocities against minority groups.

As international scrutiny grows, Patel’s intervention adds pressure on the UK government to clarify its response and demonstrate how it plans to address what she and human rights advocates describe as a deepening human rights crisis in Bangladesh.

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