Bangladesh Crisis: VHP, Ramdev Urge Govt To Ensure Minorities' Safety, Manoj Tiwari Says Situation 'Extremely Worrisome'
A Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star reported that various business establishments of Hindus were attacked and looted by mobs in around 27 districts on August 5.
As Sheikh Hasina fled Bangladesh after resigning as the Prime Minitser, the country witnessed intensified violence with protestors targeting not just the Awami League leaders, but also the minority community, mainly Hindus. An ISKON temple in Meherpur and a Kali temple were vandalised and set ablaze, sparking concerns for the safety of the Hindu minority community in Bangladesh. Following this, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and Baba Ramdev urged the government to protect the minorities in the "extremely worrisome" situation.
A Bangladeshi newspaper The Daily Star reported that various business establishments of Hindus were attacked and looted by mobs in around 27 districts on August 5.
Reacting to this, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad stressed that the safety of Hindus and other minorities in the violence-hit Bangladesh must be ensured.
"In the recent past, religious places, business establishments and houses of Hindus, Sikhs and other minorities have also been rampaged in Bangladesh. Till last night, 22 houses in Panchgarh district alone, 20 houses in Jhenaidah and 22 shops in Jessore became targets of fundamentalists and in many districts even crematoriums were vandalised. Temples and Gurudwaras have also been vandalised," International President of Vishva Hindu Parishad, Senior Advocate Shri Alok Kumar said, during a press conference today.
"There is hardly any district left in Bangladesh which has not become a target of their violence and terror. It is appropriate to point out that Hindus, who were once 32% in Bangladesh, are now less than 8% and they too are victims of continuous Jihadi persecution." he added.
'Condition Of Minorities Going From Bad To Worse': VHP
The VHP President further stated that the houses, shops, offices, and business establishments of Hindus, and women, children and even their centres of faith, belief, and worship, such as temples and Gurudwaras are not safe.
"It can be said that the condition of the oppressed minorities there is going from bad to worse," he remarked.
Kumar urged the world community to take "effective action" for the safety of minorities and the protection of human rights in Bangladesh amidst the "worrying situation".
He also urged the Centre to take "every step possible" for the safety of minorities there, adding that "Bharat cannot turn a blind eye in this situation".
Claiming that there might be an infiltration bid from Bangladesh's side to get into India under the garb of unrest, Kumar said that "we have to be extremely cautious about this. Therefore, it is necessary for our security forces to keep strict 24x7 vigil on the borders and not allow any kind of infiltration."
The VHP President also highlighted that Indian government would continue to extend support to Bangladesh in the ongoing matter, adding "we wish that democracy and secular government be re-established in Bangladesh as soon as possible. The society there should get human rights and there should be no hindrance in the continuous economic progress of Bangladesh."
'Minorities Extremely Unsafe, In Trouble': Manoj Tiwari
Commenting on the situation of minorities in Bangladesh, BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said: "The situation in Bangladesh is extremely worrisome. Law and order has collapsed. Democracy is dead and there is anarchy everywhere. The minorities of Bangladesh are extremely unsafe and in trouble."
He also appreciated opposition's support on the Centre's stance on the Bangladesh issue, saying, "Today, our EAM Dr S Jaishankar presented the whole report of the situation in the house. I appreciate that the opposition stands with the Government in such times. I believe that India will take steps to address the issue on the global stage..."
"Look, the current situation in Bangladesh is very concerning, for Bangladesh, for the entire South Asian region, for India, and for the entire world. Who is behind this chaos and violence? However, I would like to thank our foreign minister, who provided all the updates, and I would also like to thank the opposition, as everyone has adopted a positive approach on this issue. India and the people of India must certainly pay close attention to these events in Bangladesh and the ongoing incidents, as it can serve as a lesson for any country on how chaos and death of democracy look like."
'India Knows How To Protect Its Brothers': Baba Ramdev
Baba Ramdev spoke to ABP News on the current situation in Bangladesh, where Hindus are being targeted amid the intesifying unrest.
'...The homes, offices, temples, and business establishments of Hindus are being targeted to force them to flee the country...There is a wider concern of Hindu women and children being targeted now. Its dangerous. We have to stop it. So what if they are minority in that country. India can unite and try to stop any attack on the Hindus in Bangladesh." Baba Ramdev told ABP News, stressing that the minorities must be protected.
On whether India should interfere in the situation, Baba Ramdev said "If the issue escalates and if the attacks continue then India should definitely intervene. All groups attacking minorities should stop...Or else India knows how to protect its brothers."
'Will Naturally Remain Concerned Till Law & Order Is Restored': Jaishankar
This comes after External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha today to apprise the House on the Bangladesh crisis. In his statement, Jaishankar also spoke about the minorities' situation in the nation.
He said that India is monitoring the situation with regard to minorities and is in close and continuous touch with the Indian community there through diplomatic missions.
He also stated that the Indian government will however continue to remain concerned for the minorities till law and order is restored in Bangladesh.
"We will naturally remain deeply concerned till law and order is visibly restored. Our border guarding forces have also been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation," Jaishankar said.
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