Hindu organizations in India criticize the Yunus government in Bangladesh for attacks on temples and seek UN action

Last update:November 30, 2024, 1:46 PM IST

Situation in Bangladesh: Bangladesh is facing protests from all angles, including India, over its treatment of Hindu minorities.

Muhammad Yunus, senior advisor of Bangladesh (Reuters Image)

As Tensions between India and Bangladesh With atrocities against Hindus escalating, the neighboring country has intensified its repression against the minority community with more vandalism of temples, freezing of bank accounts of people associated with ISKCON and tougher measures.

protests have been taking place in various parts of Bangladesh over the arrest of former ISKCON member and Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das on charges of sedition. He was arrested on November 25 and denied bail the following day, alleging that he disrespected the national flag of Bangladesh in the Chattogram New Market area during a demonstration by Hindus.

On Friday, an unprovoked Mob vandalized three Hindu temples in Chattogram and shouted anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans. The three temples that were targeted in the attack included Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple.

A mob of several hundred people shouted slogans and threw bricks at the temples, damaging the Shoni temple and the doors of the other two temples, temple authorities said, according to local media reports.

Bangladesh cracks down on ISKCON

Local authorities have ordered freeze bank accounts for 30 days of 17 people linked to ISKCON, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, local media reported.

The strict move comes after a Bangladesh High Court dismissed a petition seeking a ban on ISKCON after a lawyer was killed in the Hindu community’s protest against Das’ arrest.

The order to freeze bank accounts was issued on Thursday by the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to several banks and financial institutions, according to Prothom Alo newspaper.

“All types of transactions in the bank accounts of these persons will remain suspended for 30 days,” the BFIU order said.

VHP protests against Bangladesh

Members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal on Friday protested against the arrest of Krishna Das in Bangladesh and demanded protection of Hindus in the Muslim-majority country.

A VHP leader said a conspiracy is being hatched to remove Hindus from Bangladesh and urged the government to release Das.

Another VHP leader harshly criticized the Bangladesh government and at the same time called for United Nations intervention in the matter. He urged the Indian government to take measures to protect Hindu minorities.

RSS issues statement on situation in Bangladesh

In a statement on Saturday, RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP, condemned the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh by Islamic extremists and claimed that the current Yunus administration and agencies have remained “mere bystanders” and have not taken any action. against atrocities.

“The situation has worsened further as Hindus in Bangladesh, forced to democratically raise their voices in self-defence, are now being subjected to a new wave of injustices and atrocities,” he said.

The RSS termed the arrest of Krishna Das as “unjust” and urged the government to release him immediately and also ensure protection of Hindus.

“The RSS also appeals to the Government of India to continue its efforts to prevent by all means possible atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. “Further, it should take necessary steps at the earliest to create global consensus and support in this regard,” RSS said.

India expresses concern

India on Friday urged Bangladesh’s interim government to fulfill its responsibility to safeguard all minorities, expressing deep concern over the rising wave of extremist rhetoric and increasing incidents of violence in the neighboring country.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) Randhir Jaiswal emphasized that India has consistently and unequivocally raised its concerns with Bangladesh authorities regarding threats and targeted attacks faced by Hindus and other minority communities.

Bangladesh responds to India’s concerns

Bangladesh on Friday responded to India’s concerns. claiming that India followed a “double standard” in protecting minorities.

Legal Affairs Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Asif Nazrul, said in a Facebook post that India’s “unwarranted” concern over Bangladesh continues.

“There are numerous incidents of brutality against the minority Muslim community in India. But they don’t feel any remorse or shame (for those incidents). This double standard of India is condemnable and objectionable,” Nazrul wrote.