India Must Uphold Its Duty Towards Bangladeshi Hindus: RSS

Bengaluru, March 22 (NationPress) The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) declared on Saturday that the welfare of Hindus in Bangladesh is a responsibility India cannot ignore. Arun Kumar, the Joint General Secretary of the RSS, made this assertion in Bengaluru during a press conference held alongside the ongoing Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS).

When questioned whether persecuted Hindus should be welcomed into India, Arun Kumar firmly stated: “The Hindu community in Bangladesh is our duty. We cannot turn away from it. The Bharat we cherish has been equally influenced by Hindus from Bangladesh as by those within India.”

He further expressed: “Hindus in Bangladesh deserve to live in peace and happiness. They should contribute to their nation, but if challenging circumstances arise in the future, we cannot retreat. If such a scenario occurs, we will take necessary action.”

He highlighted the shared history and civilization of India and Bangladesh.

“It’s regrettable that the Partition occurred in 1947. We divided the land but not the people. Both nations agreed to protect minorities. The Nehru-Liaquat Pact was signed, yet it is unfortunate that Bangladesh has not adhered to it.

“We hope that wherever they are, they live with dignity, security, and a sense of religious identity. We must strive to realize this wish,” he emphasized.

Expressing concern about the situation in Bangladesh, he remarked: “This should not be perceived merely as a political issue. The regime may have changed, but that is not the sole reason for the violence. There is a religious dimension to this. The primary and ongoing victims are Hindus and other minorities. The persecution of Hindus and minorities is not a new phenomenon.

“This represents an existential crisis for the Hindu populace in Bangladesh. Recent violence has disclosed the involvement of the Bangladeshi government and its institutions in attacks against Hindus and minorities, which is a grave concern.”

He further noted: “Those inciting this violence aim to render it not just anti-Hindu but also anti-Bharat. Numerous leaders have made statements in this regard. We share a cultural and historical connection with our neighboring nations that spans millennia. There is a deliberate attempt to sow distrust and discord between Bharat and its neighbors.”

He alleged that “numerous international forces are behind this. We have scrutinized the roles of Pakistan and the American deep state. A call has been made to stand in solidarity with the Hindu community in Bangladesh.”

When asked about the RSS's satisfaction with the Central government's measures regarding the situation in Bangladesh, he replied: “This is an ongoing process; the issue remains unresolved. The government is fulfilling its duties, and we have urged it to take all possible actions. We are content that the Union government has recognized the gravity of the issue, dispatched the Minister of External Affairs to various locations, engaged in personal discussions, and utilized international platforms.”

“We have highlighted this concern in our resolution. Efforts must persist until normalcy is fully restored,” he added.

When asked whether India should intervene to reinstate former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Arun Kumar stated: “The citizens of Bangladesh will determine the reinstatement of Sheikh Hasina. They possess their own constitution and system. I don’t believe it is necessary for any foreign nation to interfere in that matter.”