New Delhi: India has expressed deep concern over recent incidents of violence targeting Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh, highlighting that the responsibility to ensure their safety lies with the interim government in Dhaka.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh addressed the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, following Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s recent visit to Bangladesh.
Misri had conveyed India’s apprehensions to the country’s top leadership.
Singh stated that India is closely monitoring the situation and has consistently urged the Bangladeshi government to take decisive steps to protect minority communities.
He revealed that Bangladesh has arrested 70 individuals and registered 88 cases related to the violence against minorities.
“The primary responsibility for protecting the lives and liberties of all citizens, including minorities, rests with the government of Bangladesh,” Singh said.
He added that India’s concerns have been raised at the highest levels through diplomatic channels, including during Misri’s visit to Dhaka on December 9.
Singh highlighted instances of violence during the recent Durga Puja festival, including attacks on temples, puja mandaps, homes, and businesses belonging to Hindus.
Specific incidents, such as an attack on a puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka, and theft at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira, were cited.
In response to these events, the Bangladeshi government deployed additional security forces, including the army and Border Guards, to ensure peaceful celebrations of the festival.
India’s high commission in Dhaka has maintained regular contact with Bangladeshi authorities regarding the safety and welfare of minority communities.
Singh reiterated that Bangladesh must take all necessary measures to ensure the security of its minorities, a point underscored during Misri’s recent diplomatic engagement.
Relations between India and Bangladesh have faced challenges in recent months.
The political turmoil in Bangladesh intensified after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted during massive anti-government protests in August, forcing her to seek refuge in India.
The situation further deteriorated with the rise to power of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, coupled with a wave of violence targeting Hindus and the controversial arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Singh reiterated India’s commitment to safeguarding the interests of minority communities in Bangladesh and its expectation that the interim government in Dhaka would act decisively to address the escalating tensions.
This issue continues to be a focal point in India’s diplomatic relations with its neighbour, as New Delhi keeps a watchful eye on developments across the border.
