In response to recent allegations of ‘genocide’ against Hindus in Bangladesh, former US diplomat John Danilowicz, who served in Dhaka in several capacities, including as Deputy Chief of Mission, has dismissed these claims as politically motivated disinformation. He made his statements in a post on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
Danilowicz, who worked at the US Embassy in Dhaka for years before leaving in 2014, argued that the allegations of targeted violence against Hindus are a calculated attempt to undermine the interim government. He noted that these accusations appear to stem from groups pushing a Hindutva agenda, whose purported goal of ‘protecting minorities’ is, in his view, misleading.
“What is most disingenuous about the intense Hindutva lobbying effort on Bangladesh is that it is not really about protecting minorities,” he wrote. ” By this point it is well established that the alleged “genocide” against hindus in Bangladesh is part of a disinformation effort to undermine the interim government.”
Danilowicz went on to suggest that the campaign seeks to restore the ruling Awami League and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to power. ” The goal,” he said, “of this effort is to rehabilate @albd1971 and Sheikh Hasina to pave the way for their return to power.”
“Why do they want Hasina back? The answer is simple. They don’t trust the Bangladeshi people to choose their own leaders and instead want to install a government that advances India’s interests. ”
Danilowicz also pointed out that the Hindutva strategy includes labeling any supporters of the interim government as ‘Islamists’ and attacking those who have previously opposed Hasina. ” It is ironic that those ostensibly fighting for religious tolerance are themselves bigots.” he added.
Since Hasina’s departure on August 5 following a mass uprising, Indian media and social platforms have spread claims of ‘genocide’ against Hindus and temple vandalism in Bangladesh. Protests in India and Western countries have echoed similar accusations.
However, investigations by outlets like BBC and fact-checking groups have refuted many of these claims. For instance, the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council alleged that nine Hindus were killed in communal attacks between August 4 and August 20. But independent news outlet Netra News revealed that none of these deaths were due to communal violence. Some victims were involved in political clashes, often connected to the Awami League. In fact, one individual reportedly died of a stroke.
BBC’s report also found that many allegations of temple attacks and vandalism were false or exaggerated, with extremist Hindutva groups reportedly involved in spreading these rumors. Fact-checking organization Rumor Scanner exposed how various accounts on X, operating from India, were spreading misinformation about violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. Another fact-checking research organization, Dismisslab, uncovered similar misinformation that misrepresented unrelated incidents as communal attacks.
The BBC further highlighted that after Hasina’s departure, Muslim youth across Bangladesh guarded Hindu temples overnight to ensure their safety, showcasing solidarity amid a politically charged atmosphere.