The United States has said that it had no role in the unrest in Bangladesh, stating all allegations of the US interference were "simply false". Washington's response comes amid reports citing former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina accusing the U.S. of playing a role in ousting her because it wanted control over Bangladesh's Saint Martin island in the Bay of Bengal.
"We have had no involvement at all. Any reports or rumours that the United States government was involved in these events is simply false," White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing when asked about reported claims of U.S. involvement. "We believe that the Bangladeshi people should determine the future of the Bangladeshi government and that's where we stand," the White House added.
The report claimed that Hasina conveyed the message of US interference to it through her close associates. However, Hasina's son, Sajeeb Wazed, in a post on X on Sunday said she never made any such statement.
However, the US will continue to monitor the situation in Bangladesh on human rights issues. There were instances of attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh after Hasina's government fell.
Jean-Pierre, while responding to questions regarding calls from Hindu-American groups and Indian-American lawmakers seeking the US government's intervention in protecting the lives and properties of the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, added: "We are certainly going to continue monitoring the situation. I don't have anything else to add beyond that. But, when it comes to any type of human rights issues, the president (Joe Biden) has been very consistent in speaking loud and clear in public and also privately and he'll continue to do that."
The US had witnessed protests and marches by the members of the Bangladeshi Hindu diaspora over the weekend, urging President Biden to take decisive action. Chanting "Stop killing Hindus" and "Justice, justice, we want justice," the crowd urged the US government to intervene and protect Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
A large protest rally, co-hosted by the Washington-based NGO HinduACTion, was also held in New York City, where protesters raised slogans of "Stop killing Hindus! Bangladesh! Bangladesh! Stop burning temples! Bangladesh! Bangladesh! We want justice! We want justice!".
