Congress Raises Alarm Over Attacks On Minorities In Bangladesh; Urges Indian Government To Act

The Congress party has expressed deep concern over the recent rise in violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh, urging the Indian government to take immediate action to address the issue.

Pawan Khera, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Department of Congress, condemned the attacks, highlighting the arrest of an ISKCON monk as a particularly troubling example.

Khera stated, “The Indian National Congress expresses its deep concern at the atmosphere of insecurity being faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh. The arrest of the ISKCON monk is the latest example.”

The party stressed the importance of enhancing diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh to tackle the rising violence.

“The Indian National Congress expects the Government of India to prevail upon the Bangladesh government to take necessary steps and ensure the security of life and property of minorities in the country,” the statement added.

This statement follows a surge in reports of violence and rising tensions targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh, prompting international alarm.

The arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari has particularly sparked outrage.

Protests erupted in India and abroad after authorities detained the monk, a prominent figure in the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), under controversial circumstances.

ISKCON Bangladesh condemned the arrest, calling for the Bangladeshi government, led by Muhammad Yunus, to take action to stop the attacks on Hindus and other minority groups.

They issued a list of demands aimed at ending the violence and securing the rights of minority communities.

MEA Calls Arrest ‘Unfortunate’; Highlights Lack Of Accountability For Attacks On Minorities

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also expressed concern, calling the arrest ‘unfortunate’ and emphasizing the lack of accountability for those responsible for targeting minorities.

The MEA in a statement asserted, “We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples.”

The MEA further called on the Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety of all minorities, including their right to peacefully assemble and express themselves without fear of violence.

Since the political turmoil began in August, the interim government of Muhammad Yunus has struggled to contain the escalating violence, leaving many minority communities vulnerable to continued attacks.

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