New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Friday once again raised concerns over attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, saying they cannot be dismissed as “media exaggeration”.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has “consistently and strongly” raised the “threats and targeted attacks” on Hindus and other minorities with the Bangladesh government. “Our position on the matter is clear—the interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities,” he said at a press briefing Friday.
His comments come after the arrest of the former leader of ISKCON in Bangladesh, Chinmoy Krishna Das, earlier this week. Das was arrested Monday at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and was produced before a court in Chattogram next day in a case related to the desecration of the national flag of Bangladesh.
In the past, Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, has dismissed reports of attacks against minorities in Bangladesh as media propaganda and asserted that they were attacked more for their political affinity for the Awami League than for religious reasons.
Jaiswal Friday further said that India is concerned at the surge of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence and provocation. “These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggeration. ISKCON is a globally well-regarded organisation with a strong record of social service. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for the protection of minorities.”
Referring to the case against Das, the MEA spokesperson said that as far as cases against individuals are concerned, the ministry has noted that the legal processes are underway. “We expect that these processes will deal with the case in a just, fair, and transparent manner and ensure full respect for the legal rights of all concerned.”
Earlier this week, the MEA had noted with “deep concern” the arrest of the former leader of ISKCON. The foreign ministry had added that the arrest followed a number of attacks on Hindus and minorities by “extremist elements” in Bangladesh.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, whose real name is Chandan Kumar Dhar, is alleged to have led a rally on 25 October where, reportedly, a youth had placed a saffron flag over the flag of Bangladesh.
A case against Das and 18 others was filed on 31 October by a member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
The Chattogram court Tuesday refused bail to Das during the hearing, which led to a breakout of protests across the country, with reports indicating that the authorities had to use tear gas to suppress the protesters.
Since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina as prime minister in August, there have been reports of increased attacks against Hindus and other minorities, including attacks against places of worship. A few weeks back, a crown from an idol of Hindu goddess Kali gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2021 at the Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple was stolen.
Hasina had Thursday condemned Das’s arrest and demanded his immediate release.
(Edited by Tarannum Khan)