NEW DELHI — India
on Friday once again urged the interim Bangladesh government headed by Chief
Advisor Muhammad Yunus to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all
minorities, asserting that New Delhi remains concerned with the increasing
extremist rhetoric, incidents of violence and violence in the country.
"India has consistently and strongly raised with the
Bangladesh government the threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other
minorities. Our position on the matter is very clear. The interim government
must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities," Ministry
of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at the weekly media
briefing.
The MEA's strong reaction came on a day when Bangladesh's
Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) ordered the freezing of bank accounts
belonging to 17 Hindus, including jailed Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari,
associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in
Bangladesh, for 30 days.
Das, a spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan
Jagran Jote, was taken into custody by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka
Metropolitan Police at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25
and sent to jail by a Chittagong court a day later on charges of sedition.
Hindus all over the world have been shocked by the latest
incident that follows multiple attacks on the community and other minorities by
extremist elements in Bangladesh.
"We are concerned about the surge in extremist
rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations. These
developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again
call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for protection of all minorities,"
the MEA spokesperson said on Friday.
Several leaders of the Bangladesh's interim government and
others, including Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, who led the so-called
'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement' that eventually resulted in the fall of
government headed by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August - continue
to orchestrate a disinformation campaign against Hindus and spiritual
organisation Iskcon, calling it as an "agent of the Awami League"
that should be banned in the country immediately.
"We see Iskcon as a globally well-regarded organisation
with a strong record of social service. Regarding the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna
Das, we expect that the legal processes are being followed and it will be
handled in a fair, just, and transparent manner," remarked Jaiswal.
Earlier this week, after the arrest and denial of bail to
Chinmoy Krishna Das, the MEA had spotlighted that there are several documented
cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and business establishments, as
well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples, reported
from Bangladesh.
"It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these
incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader
presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings. We also note with
concern the attacks on minorities protesting peacefully against the arrest of
Shri Das. We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of
Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful
assembly and expression," the MEA stated.
Not just India but many prominent Bangladesh leaders have
also raised an alarm on the fast-deteriorating security situation in
Bangladesh, especially for the minorities.
On Thursday, former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had
strongly condemned the "tortures" inflicted on common people by the
interim government in Bangladesh and called for "immediate release"
of the Hindu priest.
"A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has
been unjustly arrested, he must be released immediately," said Hasina.
The Bangladesh Awami League (AL) president and daughter of
the 'Father of the Nation' Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman also spotlighted
several incidents of persecution of members of minority communities that have
been reported from across 52 districts in Bangladesh since her resignation on
August 5, this year.
"A temple has been burnt in Chittagong. Previously,
mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and houses of the Ahmadiyya community
were attacked, vandalized and looted and set on fire. Religious freedom and
security of life and property of people of all communities should be
ensured," she stated.
"After the killing of innumerable Awami League leaders
and workers, students and members of the law and order forces, harassment is
going on through assaults and arrests. I strongly condemn and protest against
these anarchist activities," Hasina added.
