"Apprehensive About Rise In Extremist Speech": India Regarding Violence In Bangladesh

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, it is impossible to write off the surge in extremist violence and rhetoric as media hyperbole.

Concerned about the continued violence against the Hindu community in Bangladesh, the Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus must fulfill its obligation to protect all minorities.

In response to a query, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "India has repeatedly and firmly brought up the threats and targeted attacks against Hindus and other minorities with the government of Bangladesh." We have made it clear that the interim government must fulfill its obligation to protect all minorities.

Jaiswal added that it is not possible to write off the rise in violent occurrences and provocation as mere media hyperbole. His comments followed the arrest of ISKCON Priest Chinmoy Krishna, also known as Krishna Prabhu Das, on sedition charges for reportedly hoisting a flag on a stand that displayed the national flag of Bangladesh. There is a lot of outrage over the arrest.

"ISKCON Is a Well-Respected Organization Worldwide": MEA

The ministry also urged Bangladesh to take all necessary measures to protect minorities, stating that ISKCON "is a globally well-regarded organization with a strong record of social service." Jaiswal stated that all legal procedures are in progress with regard to Chinmoy Krishna's arrest.He continued, "We anticipate that these procedures will handle the case in a fair, transparent, and just manner, guaranteeing complete respect for the legal rights of all parties involved."

The External Affairs Ministry added that although the violence seems to be having an effect on bilateral relations, which have already become tense since Sheikh Hasina was overthrown, the supply of goods from India to Bangladesh is still going on. According to Jaiswal, India keeps bringing up the issue of minority protection with Bangladesh's interim administration.

Jaishankar's written response to the legislature

S Jaishankar, the minister of external affairs, responded in writing to the Lok Sabha, emphasizing that the government of Bangladesh is ultimately responsible for safeguarding the lives and liberties of all Bangladeshi citizens, including those from minority groups.

The government has received several reports of attacks on temples and other places of worship, as well as violence against Hindus and other minorities, their houses, and places of commerce, especially in August 2024, all over Bangladesh. In his response, he stated that the government had "taken serious note of these incidents and shared its concerns with the Government of Bangladesh."

According to Jaishankar, Bangladesh was instructed to provide extra protection to guarantee peaceful Durga Puja celebrations after India had grave concerns about an attack on a puja mandap in Dhaka and a theft at another temple in Satkhira during Durga Puja.

The Indian High Commission in Dhaka is still keeping a careful eye on Bangladesh's minority situation. "The Government of Bangladesh bears the primary responsibility for safeguarding the life and liberty of all Bangladeshi citizens, including those who are minorities," he continued.

What is taking place in Bangladesh?

International indignation has been triggered by the recent arrest of the ISKCON priest, and foreign ambassadors have denounced the attacks on Hindus. The situation deteriorated when thousands demonstrated against the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu, who was later denied bail, and a lawyer named Saiful Islam Alif was hacked to death.

Additionally, ISKCON was accused of being a "radical organization" that fostered inter-communal hostility in a petition to ban it from Bangladesh. The Bangladesh High Court denied the plea, ruling that the government authorities had taken the appropriate action. Nevertheless, Hefazat-e-Islam members assembled outside the Bitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka on Friday and staged sloganeering in the presence of police, continuing protests demanding a ban on the ISKCON.

Since the student protests against the Hasina regime, and especially after the interim government led by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus was sworn in on August 8, the Hindu community has experienced numerous instances of vandalism, looting, arson, land grabbing, and threats to flee the country.