Bangladesh: On the frontlines

Pushpita’s dedication is truly inspiring. She tirelessly campaigns for the rights of religious minorities in Bangladesh – a country CSW has recently started working on.

I am the President of the Secular Bangladesh Movement UK, and the Campaign for the Protection of Religious Minorities in Bangladesh (CPRMB). I am based in London but I go to Bangladesh regularly, investigating the realities for Christians, Hindus, Buddhists and others who are targeted because of their faith. Many people in my family have left Bangladesh because of what they’ve experienced.

It’s very tense in Bangladesh at the moment, with the rise of extremism causing an increase in violence towards religious minorities. Christians and Hindus are seeing their land seized, women and girls raped and their places of worship destroyed. No one should have to go through this – so I fight for everyone’s rights, no matter their beliefs.

After my fact-finding visits, I take my research to the people in power. The CPRMB regularly holds seminars in the House of Commons and the House of Lords, raising awareness of the religious freedom issues in Bangladesh.

Things often seem very difficult. But I’m optimistic! Through dedicated campaigning, working alongside organisations such as CSW, I know we can see change.

Pushpita’s research has been invaluable to us – she provides regular updates on the situation and specific cases. Her Hindu faith motivates her to seek justice for all, just as we do – and as a Christian organisation, we believe in the importance of working together with people of other faiths, for freedom and justice, as we pray for God’s Kingdom to be established on earth.

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