Is Unremitting Hostility Against Minorities in Bangladesh a Grave Concern?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- India is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh.
- Over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities have been documented.
- The Indian government demands justice for recent murders of minorities.
- The Bangladesh interim government is urged to ensure safety and security.
- The international community is called upon to address human rights concerns.
New Delhi, Dec 26 (NationPress) Expressing profound concern over the ongoing acts of violence aimed at religious minorities—such as Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists—in its neighboring country, India declared on Friday that it is vigilantly observing the situation in Bangladesh.
"India is actively monitoring the situation and has voiced serious concerns about the relentless aggression toward minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. We denounce the recent murder of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and anticipate that those responsible will face justice. Over 2,900 incidents of violence targeting minorities, including killings, arson, and land seizures, have been recorded during the interim government's period. These occurrences must not be dismissed as mere media hype or political violence," stated Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during a weekly briefing in New Delhi.
Condemning the unrelenting hostility faced by minorities in Bangladesh, India dismissed the misleading anti-India narrative being circulated in the country, reiterating that the responsibility of maintaining law and order rests with the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
"We have rejected the distorted narrative being portrayed in Bangladesh. The task of ensuring law and order and security lies with the Bangladesh interim government. Any suggestion of a different narrative is completely false, and we reject it," added Jaiswal.
On Thursday, reports from Bangladeshi media detailed the killing of another Hindu youth, 29-year-old Amrit Mondal, who was allegedly attacked by a mob in the Hossaindanga area of Kalimohar Union late Wednesday.
Last week, the MEA indicated that India is consistently monitoring the evolving circumstances in Bangladesh and has conveyed substantial concerns to Bangladeshi officials regarding assaults on minorities.
These comments followed the brutal murder of 25-year-old Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das, who was lynched over false blasphemy allegations by a Muslim coworker at his factory on December 18. The mob not only killed Das but also hung his body from a tree before setting it ablaze.
"India continues to keep a vigilant eye on the developments in Bangladesh. Our officials are in constant contact with Bangladeshi authorities and have expressed our strong concerns about the attacks on minorities. We have also urged that justice be served for the heinous murder of Das," the MEA emphasized.
The situation for minorities, particularly Hindus, has deteriorated under the Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh, causing widespread outrage among people and various human rights organizations globally.
Earlier, on December 17, the MEA summoned Riaz Hamidullah, the Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, to communicate New Delhi's serious concerns over the deteriorating security situation in Bangladesh.
The MEA pointed out specific activities by extremist elements that have threatened the security of the Indian mission in Dhaka.
India firmly rejected the false narrative being spun by these extremist factions regarding recent events in Bangladesh.
The MEA expressed worry that the Yunus-led interim government has neither conducted a thorough inquiry nor provided substantial evidence to India concerning the incidents.
India has also urged the Yunus-led interim government to guarantee the safety of Indian diplomatic missions and posts in Bangladesh, aligning with its diplomatic obligations.