External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Friday dismissed concerns about violence against minorities in Bangladesh, stating that the interim government launched by economist Muhammad Yunus has principal responsibility for the protection of all Bangladesh citizens, including minorities.
When asked about minority attacks, especially Hindus recently in the Lok Sabha, Jaishankar pointed out that there have been many cases of persecution since August 2024, when political turmoil engulfed Bangladesh after the ouster of PM Sheikh Hasina.
The minister further said that cases of assaults on Hindu houses of worship such as temples and poojas in homes, most recently during Durga Puja, raised fears for the protection of the religious minorities. He said that unlike these incidents, the Indian Government has taken these seriously and has addressed its anxiety to the Government of Bangladesh through diplomatic envoys.
Jaishankar assured the members of the Parliament that the situation in Dhaka is under the vigilance of India’s High Commission and frequent contact with the Bangladesh Government about the protection of the minorities. He again underlined that it is the prime duty of the Government of Bangladesh to protect the lives, liberties, and properties of all the citizens regardless of their faith and color.
The statement the external affairs minister was making comes in the backdrop of increasing clamor for the government to act over rising incidents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh. India has always had a keen following of the Human rights of the Hindus and any other minority in the neighboring country. Bangladesh’s self-professed ‘friend’ in South Block may not agree with Jaishankar’s assertion. Still, his words exemplify India’s diplomatic endeavor to name Bangladesh for the violation of these rights and its failure to ensure the safety of its citizens.
Due to the government’s due diligence and the constant surveillance by the Indian mission in Dhaka, such cases are promptly addressed so that further deterioration does not occur.
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