'People Living In Fear After Attacks on Minorities In Bangladesh': Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi

Kailash Satyarthi called out to fellow Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus “to address this evolving situation without any delay”.

Nobel Peace Laureate Kailash Satyarthi, while speaking on the attack on minorities and vandalism of temples in Bangladesh said that “he was troubled by the alarming situation” in the country.  He has been actively involved in addressing education and child rights issues in Bangladesh for over four decades.

He was speaking to ANI and said he had always deeply valued the “trust and communal harmony among the people”. However, the recent attacks on minorities and vandalism of religious places have left several people living in fear. “Their fundamental rights are under siege.”

He said the issue needs to be addressed urgently, or else “the repercussions will extend far beyond Bangladesh, threatening the stability and peace in the entire South Asian region.”

Satyarthi further said, “The suppression of minorities and the violation of human rights anywhere is an attack on our collective conscience.”

He further called out to fellow Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus “to address this evolving situation without any delay”.

Notably, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples.

A Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests. India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.

Several Hindu temples were allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka.

The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North Dhaka came under attack on late December 6 night. Babul Ghosh, supervisor of the temple said that a complaint has been filed against unidentified miscreants for burning down his ancestral temple. Ghosh said that the attackers poured petrol on the idols while he was not present at the house and ran away on hearing his footsteps.

Meanwhile, India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.