VHP Alerts UNGA on Minority Atrocities in Pakistan and Bangladesh Ahead of Chief’s India Visit | India News
VHP raises flag of ‘atrocities’ on minorities at UNGA chief ahead of India visit
New Delhi: A day ahead of UN General Assembly President Analena Beyerbach’s visit to India, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in its flagship letter has called for “unremitting atrocities” against religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh, seeking urgent UN intervention.In a letter dated April 27, VHP International President Alok Kumar cited examples of forced conversions, violence and systematic discrimination targeting Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians. “The scale and persistence of these serious human rights violations point to systemic discrimination,” he wrote, calling on the United Nations to take “affirmative action to protect the lives, rights, dignity and property of minorities.”Citing findings by UN human rights experts, the letter said that in Pakistan, “about 75% of women and girls affected by forced conversion through marriage were Hindus and 25% were Christians”, with “about 80% of cases” occurring in Sindh province. “Adolescent girls between the ages of 14 and 18 are particularly targeted…women and girls…face coercion…torture and serious injury,” it noted. It added that authorities often “dismiss complaints… fail to investigate or prosecute… or neglect to properly assess the victim’s age”.On Bangladesh, the VHP cited a report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, which stated that “only from August 4 to 20, 2024… 2,010 incidents of communal violence” were recorded, “mainly targeting Hindus”. The letter also mentioned concerns about the security of tribal communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.Kumar said the assurance of equal rights to minorities after partition had “unfortunately… backfired”, alleging continued oppression. The VHP has sought an independent international inquiry, a victim protection mechanism and accountability under international law.Copies were marked to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
