India on Friday said the interim government in Bangladesh must fulfil its obligation to protect all minorities, expressing genuine concern over rising incidents of violence against minorities and attacks on temples in the neighbouring country.
New Delhi also expressed hope that the matter related to Hindu minister Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested in Bangladesh on charges of subversion, will be dealt with in a fair, just and straightforward manner.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that India has taken serious note of incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh and it is Dhaka’s primary duty to protect the life and liberty of all citizens, including minorities.
Ties between India and Bangladesh have become strained after the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus came to power following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid unrest.
India has been expressing concern over attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country.
“The Bangladesh government has an essential obligation to protect the life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities,” Jaishankar said. He said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka “closely” monitors the situation pertaining to minorities in that country.
Further, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called on Bangladesh to take all steps to protect minorities and expressed confidence that the case, including that of the arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das, will be dealt with in a fair, just and straightforward manner.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has consistently and forcefully raised the issue of threats and attacks on Hindus and other minorities with the Bangladeshi government to focus on them. “Our position on this matter is very clear – the government must fulfil its obligation to protect all minorities,” Jaiswal said in his weekly media briefing. “We are concerned about the increasing incidents of radicalisation, violence and incitement. These incidents cannot be dismissed as mere media decoration. We once again call on Bangladesh to take all steps to protect minorities,” he added. Responding to an address in the Lok Sabha, Jaishankar said India was concerned about incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, their homes and business establishments, and attacks on temples and religious places. “The government has taken serious note of these incidents and shared its concerns with the Government of Bangladesh.” “Reports of attacks on temples and puja pandals also came to light during the Durga Puja celebrations in Bangladesh in the recent past. The government had expressed its genuine concerns regarding the attack on a puja pandal in Tantibazaar, Dhaka, and theft at the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira during Durga Puja 2024,” Jaishankar said. Jaishankar said that following these attacks, the Bangladeshi government had issued a notification to provide additional security, including sending the army and border checkpoints, to ensure peaceful Durga Puja celebrations.
On the arrest of Das, who is associated with ISKCON (Universal Society for Krishna Awareness), Jaiswal said India wishes that a fair and impartial trial be ensured in the case. “We see ISKCON as an all-encompassing iconic organisation with a strong track record of social welfare,” he said.
Jaiswal said India also noted that legal proceedings were underway in the case. “We trust and hope that these bodies will deal with the matter in a fair, just and straightforward manner, ensuring full respect of the legal rights of all concerned.” Das was arrested on Monday in connection with a violence case at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
“Our wish is that he gets a fair and straightforward hearing and his legal rights are respected,” Jaiswal said.