US condemns killing of Hindu worker, urges Bangladesh to protect minorities

The US State Department condemned the recent spate of religious violence in Bangladesh as a powerful US lawmaker described the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das a Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh as ldquohorrificrdquo urging unequivocal condemnation of religious hatredldquoThe United States supports religious freedom and freedoms of expression peaceful assembly and associationrdquo the spokesperson told IANS responding to a question on the recent killing of Das and the spate of attacks on the minorities in BangladeshldquoThe United States unequivocally condemns religious violence in all its forms and we welcome measures the Bangladeshi Interim Government is taking to ensure the safety and security for all communities in Bangladeshrdquo the spokesperson addedState Departmentrsquos response came amid growing concern in Washington and among advocacy groups over the killing of Dipu Chandra Das a Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh and reports of a broader pattern of attacks on minority communitiesUS lawmakers have also spoken out strongly on the incident Congressman Ro Khanna described the killing as ldquohorrificrdquo and urged unequivocal condemnation of religious hatredldquoThe killing of Dipu Chandra Das a 27yearold Hindu garment worker in Bangladesh is horrific and my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and familyrdquo Khanna said on XldquoWe must unequivocally condemn and speak out against these vile acts of hatred and bigotryrdquo he addedA garment worker from Bhaluka Bangladesh Dipu Chandra Das lost his life on December 18 He was attacked by a mob beaten to death and his body set ablaze following allegations of blasphemyThe killing has intensified scrutiny of the situation facing religious minorities in Bangladesh particularly Hindus following political upheaval in the country Advocacy groups say attacks on minority communities have increased citing incidents of mob violence vandalism and intimidation across several regionsWhile the State Department did not provide details on diplomatic engagements its response to IANS emphasized condemnation of religious violence and welcomed steps taken by Bangladeshrsquos interim authorities to ensure security for all communitiesUS officials have consistently maintained that support for religious freedom and protection of minority rights are core elements of American foreign policy Groups say attacks on minority communities have increased citing incidents of mob violence vandalism and intimidation across several regionsWhile the State Department did not provide details on diplomatic engagements its response to IANS emphasized condemnation of religious violence and welcomed steps taken by Bangladeshrsquos interim authorities to ensure security for all communitiesUS officials have consistently maintained that support for religious freedom and protection of minority rights are core elements of American foreign policy and that concerns are raised through diplomatic channels when necessaryThe United States regularly addresses religious freedom issues in its global human rights reporting and bilateral engagements South Asia including Bangladesh has featured prominently in such discussions due to its complex social fabric and history of communal tensionsThe State Departmentrsquos response underscores Washingtonrsquos stated position that religious violence is unacceptable and that ensuring the safety of all communities remains essential for longterm stability as the situation in Bangladesh continues to draw close international attentionThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever