Attacks on Hindus escalated, Bangladesh ignoring calls to protect minorities: Modi’s India crying.

Interim Govt in Bangladesh ignoring calls to protect minorities: Indian foreign secretary Misri.

Upendra Bharti | HENB | New Delhi | March 27, 2025:: The Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh is facing criticism for not acknowledging the systematic persecution of minorities, particularly Hindus, despite persistent calls for protection. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri expressed concerns about the government’s attempts to downplay the scale and nature of violence against Hindus since the regime change in August 2024.  Misri expressed his concern to a key parliamentary panel here on Wednesday.

Misri also highlighted the worrying trend of releasing violent Islamic extremists who had been sentenced for serious crimes. This lack of acknowledgment and action is particularly concerning given Bangladesh’s declining religious diversity, with the Hindu population decreasing from 23.1% in 1971 to 8.5% today.

Vikram Misri briefed the panel that no decision has been made regarding a potential meeting between PM Modi and Muhammad Yunus at the Bimstec Summit in Bangkok next week. Misri emphasized that the final decision will be taken by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), considering various issues. The panel, chaired by Shashi Tharoor, comprises notable members, including Asaduddin Owaisi, Sagarika Ghose, and Ravi Shankar Prasad.

The country’s constitution guarantees minority rights, but experts argue that amendments have failed to provide adequate protection. In fact, the state has been criticized for removing positive measures that protected minority groups. The situation is further complicated by wider structural issues, including political instability and marginalization.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed concerns over the growing influence of Christian missionaries in Northeast India, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh. However, in a recent briefing to Parliament’s standing committee on foreign affairs, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri focused on the situation in Bangladesh, where Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has downplayed reports of atrocities against minorities, attributing them to “media exaggeration”.

According to Misri, Yunus claims that these incidents are “political killings” of Awami Leaguers, rather than communal attacks. The MEA has also expressed “grave concern” over the release of violent Islamic extremists, who pose a threat to regional and global security. Furthermore, the government has emphasized the need for Bangladesh to secure India’s security interests and address strategic concerns.

The situation in Bangladesh has been volatile since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024. India has consistently urged the Bangladesh government to protect the rights of minorities and ensure their political and social inclusion. The MEA has also raised concerns about the safety and welfare of Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh.

In terms of India’s response, no decision has been taken yet on whether Prime Minister Modi will meet Yunus at the Bimstec Summit in Bangkok next week. The final call will be taken by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), considering various factors.

Attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh are not a new phenomenon. Hindus have faced gross persecution under both the Awami League and BNP regimes. However, the Islamist elements within the Yunus-led interim government are now wreaking havoc on the Hindu community, pushing them to the brink of existential threat.

Despite escalating attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh under the Yunus-led interim government, India’s response has been limited to expressing concerns almost in a crying condition, with no effective action taken by the Modi government to protect minority Hindus in Bangladesh.
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__Inputs from Agencies.