USA: Vivek Ramaswamy Condemns Violence Against Hindus in Bangladesh, Blames Quota System
Former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy has condemned the recent violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, which has intensified following the political upheaval and ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Ramaswamy criticized the attacks and pointed to the underlying issues connected to the country’s controversial quota system.
In a statement on X, Ramaswamy expressed concern over the violence, describing it as a troubling consequence of the quota system in Bangladesh. “The targeted violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is wrong, it’s concerning, and it’s a cautionary tale for victimhood-laced quota systems,” he wrote.
He elaborated on the origins of the quota system, which was established after the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. “Bangladesh fought a bloody war for its independence in 1971. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were raped and murdered. In response, Bangladesh implemented a quota system for civil service jobs: 80% were allocated to specific social groups, including war veterans and rape victims, while only 20% were based on merit,” Ramaswamy explained.
The political crisis in Bangladesh reached a peak on August 5, when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, aged 76, fled to India by helicopter amid widespread protests that had overtaken Dhaka. Her 15-year tenure, marred by accusations of human rights violations, ended amid severe unrest that claimed over 450 lives.
Ramaswamy criticized the quota system, citing the 2018 protests that led to its partial abolition, only for it to be reinstated in 2024. He warned that such systems, intended to address historical injustices, can perpetuate cycles of violence and unrest. “Once chaos begins, it’s hard to control. Radicals are now targeting Hindu minorities. A quota system meant to address past wrongs is now fueling more violence,” he said.
Amid the ongoing instability, members of Hasina’s Awami League party have gone into hiding, and the country has seen a sharp rise in violence against minority communities. Reports from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad indicate that there have been at least 205 attacks on minority groups across 52 districts since Hasina’s departure. Thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus have sought refuge in India, fleeing the escalating violence.
