29 November 2024 – Bengaluru: In a sharp rebuke, Indian business tycoon Mohandas Pai has taken aim at Indian-American venture capitalist Vinod Khosla for his recent praise of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Pai’s criticism comes as Khosla publicly expressed enthusiasm after Yunus was appointed the interim leader of Bangladesh following the downfall of the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead Bangladesh interim government. Excited as I am a big fan. https://t.co/she5tnlebz
— Vinod Khosla (@vkhosla) August 6, 2024
Khosla, in a tweet, shared a report celebrating Yunus’ new role and wrote, “Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead Bangladesh’s interim government. Excited as I am a big fan.” In response, Pai did not hold back, accusing Khosla of turning a blind eye to the growing atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, allegedly under the influence of Yunus. Pai commented, “Will you please stand up and protest against the genocide of minority Hindus in BD led by your very close friend @Yunus_Centre? Hindus are being beaten and killed by jihadi extremists in the streets, and Yunus is basking in glory at the admiration of people like you. Please stand up for human rights.”
This exchange follows earlier remarks by Karl Mehta, co-founder of PlaySpan, who also criticized Khosla’s support of Yunus. Mehta pointed out the severe persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, accusing Yunus of having enabled violence against minorities to seize power. Mehta urged Khosla to directly address his friend Yunus and ask about the widespread violence against Hindus, which includes rapes, murders, looting, and the destruction of Hindu temples and homes.
I think you have not seen the Hindu Genocide he has caused to get to power by making a democratically elected PM run for her life. You should call him and ask about women being raped, men burnt alive, hindu shops and homes looted and burned and temples are being destroyed. You…
— Karl Mehta (@karlmehta) August 7, 2024
Since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, the situation for Bangladesh’s Hindu minority, who make up around 8% of the country’s 170 million people, has worsened dramatically. Reports indicate that over 200 attacks have targeted Hindus across more than 50 districts. Hindu temples, homes, and businesses have been destroyed in a spate of violence, causing immense fear among the minority community.
Adding to the rising tensions, the arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das this week has sparked further outrage. Das, a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was detained on sedition charges related to an alleged incident involving the Bangladesh national flag. His arrest has triggered widespread protests in Dhaka, Chattogram, and other cities across Bangladesh, with many calling for his immediate release.
Ajay Shah, president of Vishva Hindu Parishad America (VHPA), condemned the ongoing violence, emphasizing the growing targeting of Hindus in the country. “The news of Das’ arrest, the vandalism of the Kali Mandir in Chittagong, and the increasing attacks on Hindus across Bangladesh are deeply disturbing. Is this the human rights legacy the Biden administration wants to be remembered for?” Shah questioned.
The silence of the global media has also been criticized. Amitabh Mittal, VHPA General Secretary, pointed out that the international community’s failure to cover the rising violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is deeply troubling. “The recent arrest of an ISKCON priest and the violent attacks on Hindu temples highlight an alarming rise in religious intolerance,” Mittal said.
Meanwhile, Hindus for America First (HFAF) has called for a reevaluation of US aid to Bangladesh, particularly in light of its growing ties with Beijing and the failure to protect its religious minorities. In a letter to President-elect Donald Trump, HFAF urged the suspension of US funding for projects in Bangladesh unless the government takes measurable action to safeguard vulnerable communities. HFAF’s Sanduja also warned of the potential links between some Bangladeshi officials and extremist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam, raising concerns about the exportation of radical ideologies.
The growing crisis in Bangladesh has ignited calls for global action to address religious persecution and human rights violations. As tensions continue to escalate, many are calling on influential figures like Vinod Khosla to use their platforms to speak out against the violence and ensure that the plight of the Hindu minority does not go unnoticed.