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Bangladesh situation: Bangladesh is facing protests from all ends, including in India over its treatment of Hindu minorities.
Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh (Reuters Image)
As India-Bangladesh tensions over atrocities against Hindus escalate, the neighbouring country has intensified its crackdown on the minority community with more vandalisation of temples, freezing of bank accounts of ISKCON-related persons, and more harsh steps.
Protests have been taking place in several parts of Bangladesh over the arrest of former ISKCON member and Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das on charges of sedition. He was arrested on November 25 and denied bail the next day alleging that he disrespected the Bangladesh national flag in Chattogram’s New Market area during a rally by the Hindus.
On Friday, an unprovoked mob vandalised three Hindu temples in Chattogram and shouted anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans. The three temples that were a target of the attack included Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple.
A mob of several hundred people shouted slogans and threw brickbats at the temples which damaged the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two temples, according to the temple authorities, as per the local media reports.
Urgent 🚨 AlertIn Bangladesh’s Chittagong, Radicals have attacked the Shantaneswari Temple after Friday Jumma prayers.
Reports claiming Hindu shops and houses being attacked. Many Injured!! pic.twitter.com/zOS0iWMcHD
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) November 29, 2024
Bangladesh Cracks Down On ISKCON
The local authorities have ordered to freeze the bank accounts for 30 days of 17 people linked to ISKCON, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, local media reported.
The stringent move comes after a Bangladeshi High Court dismissed a petition seeking a ban on ISKCON after a lawyer was killed in the protest by the Hindu community against Das’s arrest.
The order to freeze the bank accounts was issued by Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to various banks and financial institutions on Thursday, according to newspaper Prothom Alo.
“All types of transactions in the bank accounts of these individuals will remain suspended for 30 days,” the BFIU order said.
VHP Protests Against Bangladesh
Members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal staged protest on Friday against Krishna Das’ arrest in Bangladesh and demanded the protection of Hindus in the Muslim-majority country.
A VHP leader said that a conspiracy is being done to drag Hindus out of Bangladesh and urged the government to release Das.
Another VHP leader slammed the Bangladeshi government while also seeking a United Nations intervention on the matter. He urged the Indian government to take actions to protect the Hindu minorities.
RSS Issues Statement On Bangladesh Situation
In a statement on Saturday, RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent, condemned the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh by Islamic extremists stating that the current Yunus administration and agencies have remained “mere spectators” and failed to take any action against the atrocities.
“The situation has escalated further, as Hindus in Bangladesh, compelled to raise their voices democratically for self-defense, are now being subjected to a new wave of injustices and atrocities,” it said.
The RSS termed the arrest of Krishna Das “unjust” and urged the government to immediately release him and also ensure protection of Hindus.
“The RSS also appeals to the Government of India to continue its efforts to prevent atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh by all possible means. Furthermore, it should take necessary steps at the earliest to build global consensus and support in this regard,” RSS said.
India Expresses Concerns
India on Friday urged the interim government of Bangladesh to fulfill its responsibility of safeguarding all minorities, expressing deep concern over the growing wave of extremist rhetoric and the rising incidents of violence in the neighboring country.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that India has consistently and unequivocally raised concerns with the Bangladeshi authorities regarding the threats and targeted attacks faced by Hindus and other minority communities.
Bangladesh Responds To India’s Concerns
Bangladesh on Friday responded to India’s concerns claiming that India followed “double standards” on the protection of minorities.
Bangladesh interim government’s Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul said in a Facebook post that India’s “unwarranted” concern for Bangladesh continued.
“In India, numerous incidents of brutality on minority Muslim community are going on. But they don’t have any remorse or embarrassment (over those incidents). This double standard of India is condemnable and objectionable,” Nazrul wrote.