Over 2,400 Attacks On Hindus And Other Minorities: India Cautions Bangladesh Not To Justify Anti-Minority Violence As "Politically Motivated"

The Government has taken note of rising incidents of human rights violations against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and has raised the issue with Dhaka on multiple occasions, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (3 April).

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, the minister cited data provided by Bangladesh authorities and Indian assessments.

On 10 December 2024, the Bangladesh government had announced that 70 individuals had been arrested across 88 cases linked to attacks on minority communities.

Follow-up investigations in January 2025 verified only 1,254 incidents.

"As per updated information, over 2400 minority-related incidents have been reported from Aug 5, 2024 till March 23, 2025," Singh said.

The minister said that India has conveyed its expectation that Bangladesh will conduct thorough investigations into these cases and ensure that the perpetrators of killings, arson, and violence are brought to justice.

New Delhi also stressed that such acts must not be dismissed or justified on the grounds of political motivation.

"It is expected that Bangladesh will thoroughly investigate these incidents and bring all perpetrators of killings, arson and violence against minorities to justice without justifying any of these killings or arson as "politically motivated"," the minister said.

According to the minister, these expectations were reiterated during a meeting between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain on 16 February.

"The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the Government of Bangladesh," the minister said.

Also Read: Commercialisation Of Indigenous Technologies Hampered By Awareness Deficit, High Initial Costs And Regulatory Hurdles: Government