VHP's Vinod Bansal Denounces Escalating Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh

New Delhi, Dec 3 (NationPress) Vinod Bansal, the spokesperson for the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), voiced strong condemnation regarding the escalating plight of Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh, characterizing the nation as a paradise for all jihadis.

His remarks were prompted by the recent challenges faced by Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu priest accused of sedition in Bangladesh.

The bail hearing for Das, set for Tuesday, was postponed by the Chattogram court to January 2, 2025, as no legal representation appeared on his behalf, underscoring the increasing threats and animosity directed towards Hindus and other minorities such as Christians and Buddhists within the nation.

Bansal, in an interview with IANS, underscored the alarming reality in Bangladesh, where minority groups are encountering heightened violence and systemic legal discrimination.

"Bangladesh is evolving into a paradise for all jihadis. Those responsible for pushing Bangladesh towards devastation have now become overtly aggressive. Consider the case of Ramen Roy, the lawyer defending Chinmoy Krishna Das. Hindus in Bangladesh possess neither the right to defend their lives nor adequate legal representation. The circumstances are such that even if a lawyer advocates for them, he faces brutal retaliation," Bansal expressed.

He referenced the recent incidents involving Roy's associate who was assaulted, and his office was set ablaze, as further proof of the extreme actions taken against those who stand up for Hindu rights in Bangladesh.

The VHP spokesperson questioned the international community's reaction to the situation, particularly human rights organizations and the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

He criticized the global inaction, especially in light of the reported human rights abuses occurring in Bangladesh, and cast doubt on the legitimacy of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Bangladesh’s leader, Muhammad Yunus.

“Yunus has been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, but it's questionable what peace he is advocating while Hindus endure suffering,” Bansal remarked.

Bansal also expressed his discontent over the legal obstacles faced by Hindus in Bangladesh. He pointed out that the lawyer representing Chinmoy Krishna Das was recently burdened with false allegations under Article 114, a legal clause that further complicates the ability of Hindus to achieve justice.

"This has surpassed all limits," Bansal declared.

"Why is the Bar Council silent? Why are no other lawyers coming forward to defend Das? In India, courts operate late into the night to dispense justice, whereas in Bangladesh, when a lawyer attempts to assist, his residence is vandalized, and he is assaulted. This is a blatant violation of fundamental human rights."

The VHP leader reacted vehemently to the recent event at the Benapole landport, where over 63 Hindu monks faced detention by Bangladeshi authorities despite possessing valid visas for entry into India. The monks, en route to a religious ceremony in India, were barred from crossing the border, igniting outrage among Hindu communities.

"These saints and sages were journeying to India for a ceremony, yet the Bangladeshi government apprehended them at the border. Why are they being obstructed? Do they not have the right to travel to India, especially with valid visas? What conspiracy is afoot against them? They are unsafe in Bangladesh, nor are they permitted to depart. If they attempt to seek legal recourse, they encounter additional persecution," Bansal concluded.

Significantly, in excess of 2,000 documented incidents of violence against Hindus and other minority groups such as Christians and Buddhists in Bangladesh have occurred, with at least nine members of these communities having been killed thus far.