The issue of alleged atrocities and growing insecurity faced by minority Hindus in Bangladesh was raised inside the Canadian Parliament by Conservative Party MP Melissa Lantsman, drawing international attention to concerns over religious freedom and minority rights in the South Asian nation.
During parliamentary proceedings, Lantsman highlighted reports of attacks, intimidation, and targeted violence against Hindu communities in Bangladesh.
She urged the Canadian government to take note of the situation and press for accountability, protection of minorities, and adherence to democratic and human rights norms.
Her intervention comes amid recurring reports from rights groups and diaspora organisations about vandalism of temples, forced displacement, and violence against Hindu families, particularly during periods of political unrest.
Lantsman emphasised that silence on such issues only emboldens perpetrators and undermines global commitments to religious freedom.
The remarks have resonated strongly with members of the Bangladeshi Hindu diaspora in Canada, who have been demanding greater international scrutiny and diplomatic pressure to ensure safety and justice for minorities in Bangladesh.
So far, the Bangladeshi government has maintained that it is taking steps to protect all communities, while critics argue that ground realities continue to remain grim.
Bangladesh has been engulfed in widespread unrest and violent protests following the death of prominent youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was shot in Dhaka and later died in Singapore, sparking demonstrations across the country.
Demonstrators have targeted government buildings, media offices and Indian diplomatic missions, leading to clashes with security forces and heightened tensions with India.
The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina in 2024, has struggled to contain the violence ahead of elections, while anti-India sentiment and communal incidents have further fuelled instability.
