Bangladesh Home Minister Says Attack On Hindus Aimed To 'Disturb Peace' Before Polls

Addressing India’s concerns over the protection of minorities in Bangladesh, Asaduzzaman Khan emphasised that the government is tackling the situation effectively

New Delhi: Amid reported attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh, the country’s home minister, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, on Monday assured that communal harmony will be protected at any cost.

The violence is aimed at fomenting trouble in the nation with an eye on the general election due in 2023, the home minister claimed.

Speaking to news agency PTI over the phone, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said an investigation is being conducted to nab the culprits involved in “inciting violence” in his country.

He added that he would not rule out “the involvement of the BNP-Jamaat elements” behind the attacks.

“We have taken stern actions to tackle the situation. An investigation is underway; none of the culprits would be spared. I want to assure you that the communal harmony of our country will be protected at any cost. Both the minority and majority communities are citizens of this country and would be protected,” the home minister said.

He emphasised that Bangladesh would not let the trouble-makers succeed.

“These incidents are aimed at tarnishing the image of our nation and creating tension with an eye on the general election. But we won't allow these forces to succeed,” he said.

The comment comes as Bangladesh is likely to hold its elections at the end of 2023.

Violence erupted in pockets of Bangladesh over an alleged incident of blasphemy at a Durga Puja pavilion in Cumilla, around 100 km from Dhaka, after which paramilitary forces were deployed in many affected areas.

According to media reports, sporadic clashes broke out between the police and the notorious elements over vandalisation of Hindu temples and Durga Puja venues.

At least five persons were killed, and scores of others were injured in the clashes, PTI reported.

Khan noted that hundreds of people have been arrested, and said that four rioters were shot dead by the police.

“No peace-loving and pious Hindu or Muslim would ever indulge in violence. We are not ruling out the involvement of BNP-Jamaat or any third forces. They could be behind those attacks to halt the progress of our country. This could also be aimed at disturbing peace before the next elections,” he alleged.

The home minister added: “We had asked the puja committees in Cumilla to keep CCTV cameras installed at the pandal and deploy volunteers to keep vigil. But that was not done…” while expressing hope about the ongoing probe.

Addressing India’s concerns over the protection of minorities in Bangladesh, Asaduzzaman Khan emphasised that the government is tackling the situation effectively and progress in the investigation is expected soon.

“We think there is no need to be concerned about the minorities here as we are tackling the situation effectively and doing everything possible to protect them. Such attacks on minorities are taking place in other countries too,” he asserted.

Meanwhile, he also said that he was not of the opinion that the attacks are related to the renewed rise of fundamentalist forces, encouraged by the establishment of Taliban rule in Afghanistan.

“This has nothing to do with Taliban rise. Afghanistan is over a thousand miles away from Bangladesh, and the people of our country are not bothered about it,” he added.

Talking about the attacks, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had last week said that action will be taken against those trying to “disturb communal harmony”.

She assured that the perpetrators will be hunted down and punished.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the Bangladesh government reacted promptly to ensure that the situation was under control, and said the Indian mission is in close contact with the authorities there over the matter.