Speak up against minority-targeting

Silence from capitals of major global powers-G7 and Western countries-on the targeted attack on Hindus in Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina's ouster as PM has been voluble. India and Israel have been the only countries to voice concern. Multilateralism can't be all about convenience. It is easy to look away when those threatened are a minority in most countries. Silence becomes expedient when communities under attack are not politically or electorally significant compared to the perpetrators of attacks. Speaking up for the protection of Hindus and other minorities (8% of Bangladesh's population are Hindu, Buddhist and Christian) in Bangladesh must not be treated, according to some formulaic method, as Islamophobia.

In much the same way it's possible for countries to condemn Hamas for the October 6 terrorist attacks on Israel while asking Israel to temper its continued military action in Gaza, Dhaka should be asked to guarantee the safety of its Hindu minority while moving into its post-Hasina phase. Being anti-Hasina cannot translate into being anti-India, and thereby anti-Hindu. Leaders of global powers need to make the distinction between calling out Islamic fundamentalists and lending their support for the safety of non-Muslims under attack in Bangladesh. The commitment to a rules-based global order cannot be a function of convenience.

History is witness to the consequences of turning a blind eye to such transgressions. The failure of major powers to speak up against attacks of a group targeted for their faith-a minority group so small so as to be deemed insignificant-contributes to a dysfunctional world. It reduces multilateralism and the rules-based world order to a convenient tool in the hands of global powers.