News Brief
British MPs Demand Action Against 'Attempt At Ethnic Cleansing Of Hindus' In Bangladesh
Former UK Home Secretary Priti Patel
The UK’s House of Commons on Tuesday (3 November) discussed an 'urgent' issue over the troubling developments in Bangladesh.
During the discussion, British MPs expressed alarm over escalating attacks targeting the Hindu minority and raised concerns about the interim government’s religious crackdown on Hindu monks.
Labour Party MP Barry Gardiner had called for an urgent parliamentary session on Monday to discuss the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, which has been closely monitored by London.
Catherine West, the UK’s foreign office in-charge for the Indo-Pacific, informed the House of Britain’s efforts, stating she had visited Bangladesh last month to meet the interim government’s leadership.
West noted that the UK was one of the first nations to raise the issue with Dhaka and had received verbal assurances from Chief Adviser Mohamed Yunus.
West also mentioned concerns raised by New Delhi over the happenings in Bangladesh.
"We are aware of the statement of concern from the Indian government following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a well-known Hindu leader, on sedition charges. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) desk is closely monitoring those developments," said West.
Conservative MP and Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Priti Patel, described the situation in Bangladesh as “deeply, deeply concerning.”
Referring to the surge in incidents of violence, vandalism, and desecration targeting Hindu minorities, Patel said, "The degree of escalation in violence is deeply concerning. What we are witnessing now is uncontrolled violence in many quarters. We are watching with horror and shock as further violence spreads in Bangladesh. The thoughts of all of us in the House are with the diaspora community here and those affected in Bangladesh. These are deeply disturbing reports."
She urged the British government to clarify its actions regarding the release of arrested Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent West, which is home to a large British Hindu community, described the situation as “clearly on a knife edge.”
Bob Blackman, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus, highlighted the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh.
"Hindus are suffering with their houses being burned and their businesses ransacked. Priests have been arrested, and I understand that two more were arrested over the weekend, and 63 monks have been denied access to the country. The clear issue is an attempt at the ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Bangladesh. We want to hear not just words of piety, but absolute condemnation of what is going on. Religious minorities are being deliberately persecuted because of their religion," Blackman said.
