The persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh, including Bengali Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and others, remains a major area of concern for US President Donald Trump, according to US Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard.
Speaking to NDTV, Gabbard emphasized that President Trump and his administration are committed to combating Islamist terrorism on a global scale.
"The longstanding persecution, killings, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others have been a major area of concern for the US government and President Trump," she stated.
US-Bangladesh Talks on Islamist Extremism Expected
The Trump administration is expected to initiate talks with Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, regarding the resurgence of Islamic extremism in the country.
Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted in last August’s revolution, had maintained a firm stance against Islamist movements during her 15-year rule. Since her removal, hardline religious groups that were suppressed under her administration have resurfaced, leading to renewed violence and unrest.
Interim Government Struggles to Contain Islamist Groups
Interim leader Muhammad Yunus condemned the recent surge in Islamist-driven violence, including atrocities against women and minority communities. However, his administration has faced criticism for its failure to protect minorities from extremist attacks.
The law and order situation in Bangladesh remains fragile, with many police officers refusing to return to duty and the military being deployed to assist in maintaining security.
In a recent crackdown, Bangladeshi police fired tear gas to disperse a rally by the banned Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir, after pledging a zero-tolerance approach to extremism.
Hizb ut-Tahrir, an international fundamentalist Sunni group advocating for a global caliphate, was banned in Bangladesh in 2009 but has re-emerged since Hasina’s ouster.
On Friday, nearly 1,000 members of Hizb ut-Tahrir gathered outside Baitul Mukarram, Bangladesh’s largest mosque, in Dhaka, before being dispersed by security forces.
Elections Expected in Late 2025 or Early 2026
Despite the escalating violence, Yunus, a Nobel Prize-winning microfinance pioneer, has reaffirmed his commitment to holding general elections in late 2025 or early 2026. However, questions remain about his government’s ability to restore stability and prevent further extremist resurgence in the politically volatile nation.
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