Minority Watch, Washington D.C.— A series of billboards under the hashtag #AskYunusWhy have appeared across California’s Bay Area, spotlighting violence against Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in Bangladesh.
The campaign, launched in December 2024 by the United Hindu Council (UHC) and Hindu Americans in Silicon Valley, questions Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladesh’s interim government, over his administration’s handling of escalating attacks on minority communities.
The first billboard was displayed on Freeway 880-N in Oakland, followed by another in San Mateo-Hayward. Over three months, six digital billboards will display messages in high-traffic areas, aiming to raise awareness and spark global conversations.
Rising Violence and Government Acknowledgment
Bangladesh has seen a surge in attacks on minorities following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. On January 11, 2025, the interim government acknowledged widespread violence but clarified, based on police investigations, that most incidents were politically motivated rather than communal.
“Police confirmed the authenticity of 1,254 out of 1,415 reported incidents,” stated a government press release. “Among these, 98.4% were politically motivated, while only 1.59% were communal.”
Despite this, activists like Manindra Kumar Nath, acting general secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC), criticized the government’s response:
“These attacks have deepened societal divisions and undermined trust in Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, whose government has failed to take adequate action.”
Reports of Large-Scale Violence
The BHBCUC has documented 2,010 incidents of violence between August 4 and August 20, 2024, including nine murders, four rapes, and 69 attacks on places of worship. Police reported that August 5 alone accounted for 1,452 incidents, marking a severe breakdown in law and order following Hasina’s departure.
From August 5 to January 8, 2025, police recorded 134 additional complaints, registered 53 cases, and arrested 63 offenders. However, Nath revealed that his organization identified 189 more communal attacks reported in newspapers between August 21 and December 29, 2024, indicating the violence may be more widespread than officially acknowledged.
Advocacy and International Attention
The billboard campaign has gained momentum, with organizations like the Hindu American Foundation (HAF) pushing for stronger global intervention. HAF’s Community Outreach Director, Ramya Ramakrishnan, highlighted the need for grassroots action:
“People are frustrated with biased media coverage and have taken it upon themselves to bring attention to the plight of Bangladeshi Hindus.”
U.S. lawmakers, including Congressmen Ro Khanna and Raja Krishnamoorthi, have expressed concerns. Khanna noted assurances from Yunus regarding minority protections, while Krishnamoorthi called for stronger U.S. action in Congress.
Continued Efforts
The interim government has emphasized a “zero-tolerance” policy for communal violence, implementing security measures and establishing emergency hotlines. However, activists remain skeptical, citing insufficient action and deepening distrust.
The billboard campaign will continue throughout the Bay Area, aiming to sustain global focus on the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. Advocates stress that without international pressure, the violence could escalate further, leaving vulnerable communities at even greater risk.
