VHP raises issue of ‘atrocities’ on minorities to UNGA chief before India tour

New Delhi: A day ahead of UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock’s visit to India, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has written to her calling for “persistent atrocities” against religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh and sought immediate intervention of the UN.In a letter dated April 27, VHP international president Alok Kumar cited examples of forced conversions, violence and systemic discrimination targeting Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians. “The scale and persistence of these serious human rights violations points to systemic discrimination,” he wrote, urging the United Nations to take “affirmative action to protect the lives, rights, dignity and properties of minorities.”Citing findings by UN human rights experts, the letter said that in Pakistan, “about 75% of women and girls affected by forced conversion through marriage were Hindu and 25% were Christian,” with “about 80% of the incidents” taking place in Sindh province. “Adolescents aged 14 to 18 are particularly targeted…women and girls…facing coercion…abuse and severe trauma,” it said. It said authorities often “dismiss complaints… fail to investigate or prosecute… or neglect to properly assess the age of victims”.On Bangladesh, the VHP cited the report submitted to the UN Human Rights Council, which said that “from August 4 to 20, 2024 alone… 2,010 incidents of communal violence were recorded”, “primarily targeting Hindus”. The letter also cites concerns over the safety of indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts area.Alleging continued oppression, Kumar said the assurance of equal rights to minorities after Partition was “unfortunately… overturned”. The VHP has demanded an independent international investigation, a victim protection mechanism and accountability under international law.Copies were sent to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.