N. Ramchander Rao, a leader of the Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), has strongly condemned the recent surge in killings targeting Hindus in Bangladesh, emphasizing the urgent need for India to exert diplomatic pressure. Rao's statement comes amidst reports of increasing violence against Hindus, with six deaths reported in the past 18 days, including a journalist and a grocery shop owner. This series of incidents has sparked concerns about the safety and security of minority communities in Bangladesh.
Rao criticized the silence of opposition parties, including Congress and other members of the INDI alliance, on the issue, accusing them of focusing on international matters while neglecting the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. He asserted that the entire nation should stand in solidarity and exert collective diplomatic pressure on Bangladesh to halt the violence. He urged the Indian government to clearly convey its opposition to the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
The BJP leader stated that India must demonstrate its unwavering support for the minorities in Bangladesh and condemn the killings. He also criticized the Bangladeshi government's apparent silence and perceived encouragement of such incidents. According to ANI News, the recent violence includes mob violence, extrajudicial killings, custodial deaths, persecution of minorities, political violence and murders, and suppression of press freedom.
One of the recent incidents involved the killing of a grocery shop owner, Mani, who was attacked with sharp weapons at Charsindur Bazaar in Palash Upazila and died while being taken to the hospital.
The Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) has also expressed strong concerns regarding the situation in Bangladesh, with VHP spokesperson Vinod Bansal criticizing the silence of Nobel Peace Prize laureates and other global leaders on the issue. The VHP views the violence as a challenge to the world and democracy, emphasizing the need for global attention to the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh. The organization has documented numerous instances of violence, including deaths and extrajudicial killings, highlighting the increased persecution of minorities and journalists.
These incidents are not isolated events, as historical instances of communal violence following events like the demolition of the Babri Masjid have also resulted in attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. Such events have led to retaliatory violence, destruction of temples and homes, and curtailment of religious celebrations by the Hindu community.
