News Brief
Violence Against Hindus In Bangladesh: Suvendu Adhikari Seeks Indian Intervention
- Suvendu Adhikari has written a letter requesting PM Modi to "try to save the Hindus of Bangladesh".
Temples, shops and several houses of the Hindu community have been vandalised in Narail, Bangladesh.
Senior BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene in the frequent incidents of communal violence targeted towards Hindu minority in neighbouring Bangladesh.
Adhikari, also the leader of opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, requested PM Modi to "try to save the Hindus of Bangladesh".
He wrote, "Whatever diplomatic and other means you have at your disposal, please use it to send across a message that these incidents of communal violence are simply unacceptable".
"I believe you are aware of the fact that communal violence targeting the Hindu religious minority community has again gripped Bangladesh. Temples, shops and several houses of the Hindu community have been vandalised in Dighalia Bazar area of Lohagara Upazila of Narail, southwestern Bangladesh," he wrote in the letter.
Adhikari said such incidents have repeatedly occurred in the neighbouring country as "there is no independent investigation and proper probe in due time, let alone prompt action".
His letter came in the backdrop of a mob vandalising a temple, shops and several homes of the Hindu community in the Lohagara Upazila of Narail on 15 July over a Facebook post by a Hindu boy, which was deemed offensive to Muslims.
In the letter, he said that "The Hindus of Bangladesh are looking forward to you (PM Modi) in this need of the hour", based on the personal accounts of Bangladeshi Hindus who have established contact with him.
As per media reports, five persons have been arrested for their involvement in the last week's attack on the houses and temple of the Hindu community in southwestern Bangladesh.
Adhikari has also written a similar letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
Attacks on religious minorities in Muslim-majority Bangladesh are increasing, many of which happened after rumours or fake posts spread on social media.
Last year, some Hindu temples in the neighbouring country were vandalised by unidentified Muslims during the Durga Puja celebrations, prompting the government to deploy paramilitary forces in 22 districts.
According to Adhikari, these are not isolated incidents, but are a conspiracy by Islamists extremists and hardliners to initiate a pogrom against Hindus in Bangladesh, that "may engulf the whole Hindu community and other religious minorities of Bangladesh."
(with inputs from PTI)
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.
Latest
