Washington: US Congressman Greg Landsman has introduced a resolution in the US House of Representatives seeking to recognise the atrocities committed by the Pakistani Army and its allies, Jamaat-e-Islami, against Bengali Hindus on March 25, 1971, as “war crimes and genocide”.
Landsman, a Democrat Congressman from Ohio, moved the resolution in the US House of Representatives on Friday, and it has been referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
The resolution states that on the night of March 25, 1971, the Government of Pakistan imprisoned Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and its military units, in conjunction with radical Islamist groups inspired by the ideology of Jamaat-e-Islami, began a general crackdown throughout East Pakistan code-named ‘‘Operation Searchlight’’ that involved widespread massacres of civilians.
Introducing the measure, Congressman Landsman said the events of March 25, 1971, marked the beginning of a “systematic campaign of terror” that meets the United Nations’ definition of genocide. He emphasised that formal US recognition is “long overdue,” particularly highlighting the targeted violence against Bengali Hindus.
The resolution further calls on the US President to formally acknowledge the atrocities and underscores the need to protect religious minorities in present-day Bangladesh.
The 1971 conflict, which ultimately led to the creation of Bangladesh, saw widespread violence across what was then East Pakistan. According to historical accounts cited in the resolution:
Tens to hundreds of thousands of civilians were killed
More than 200,000 women were subjected to sexual violence
Millions were displaced
Villages, homes, and places of worship were systematically destroyed
While Bengalis of various faiths were targeted, the resolution states that Hindus were singled out, with estimates suggesting they constituted a disproportionately large share of victims despite being a minority population.
The resolution draws on several widely cited sources, including:
The “Blood Telegram” by US diplomat Archer Blood, which condemned US inaction
Reporting by journalist Anthony Mascarenhas
A US Senate report led by Edward M Kennedy
These accounts described targeted killings, mass rape, and systematic persecution, particularly of the Hindu community.
Welcoming the move, Utsav Chakrabarti of HinduACTion said the resolution represents years of advocacy by the Bangladeshi diaspora and American Hindu groups. He added that formal recognition would not only honour victims but also help safeguard minorities who continue to face challenges.
The proposed measure:
Condemns the actions of the Pakistani military and allied militias in 1971
Recognises the targeted persecution of Bengali Hindus
Rejects collective blame against any ethnic or religious group
Calls for official U.S. recognition of the atrocities as genocide
Despite extensive documentation, the United States has never formally recognised the 1971 events as genocide. Supporters of the resolution argue that acknowledgement carries moral and policy significance, helping prevent future atrocities and reinforcing protections for vulnerable communities.
If passed, the resolution would mark a major step in aligning US policy with longstanding historical claims surrounding one of South Asia’s most violent chapters.
