PM Modi stated that Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, called him and offered assurance.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced today on X that Bangladesh has pledged to protect the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities in the country. Prime Minister Modi mentioned that Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, personally called him to provide this assurance.
In his Independence Day address yesterday, Narendra Modi expressed his hope for a swift return to normalcy in violence-stricken Bangladesh, emphasizing that the safety of Hindus and minorities in the neighboring country is a concern for India’s 140 crore citizens.
“Received a call from Professor Muhammad Yunus. We exchanged views on the current situation. I reaffirmed India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, and progressive. He assured the protection and safety of Hindus and all minorities in his country,” PM Modi shared in the post.
Bangladesh experienced a surge in violence against the Hindu community after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government.
On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a call from Muhammad Yunus, the interim leader of Bangladesh. The two leaders discussed the current situation in the country following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from power.
Prime Minister Modi had previously emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of Hindus and other minorities in neighbouring country while congratulating Muhammad Yunus on “assuming his new responsibilities” as the chief advisor to the interim government.
On August 5, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, 76, fled Bangladesh via helicopter to India as protesters took over the streets of Dhaka. Her 15-year tenure, which had been marred by accusations of human rights violations, ended in dramatic fashion. The weeks leading up to her departure were marked by severe violence, with over 450 people killed in the unrest and numerous reports of attacks on Bangladesh’s Hindu minority community.
During his Independence Day address on Thursday, Prime Minister Modi voiced concern over the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Speaking from the Red Fort, he acknowledged the worries of neighboring India about the situation in Bangladesh, expressing hope for a swift return to normalcy. “With 140 crore Indians concerned, it’s crucial that the security of Hindus and minorities there is safeguarded,” he emphasized in Hindi.
A schoolteacher was killed, and over 45 people were injured as homes, businesses, and temples belonging to Hindus were attacked last week. This violence erupted after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country amid intense protests demanding her removal.
Yunus stated that “reports of attacks on minorities have been exaggerated,” according to a statement from his office. He emphasized that the caretaker government is dedicated to “upholding human rights for every citizen.” Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council estimates that sectarian violence has impacted at least 52 out of the country’s 64 districts since August 5, the day Hasina fled to India.
Last week, local residents informed Reuters that hundreds of Hindus have been attempting to escape to India to avoid the violence. Hindus constitute about 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million population and have traditionally supported the Awami League party led by Hasina, which is largely secular, rather than the opposition coalition that includes a hardline Islamist party.
Current Condition In Bangladesh: 17 August 2024
Bangladesh’s acting foreign minister announced that the country will soon decide on the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India.
Bangladesh’s acting foreign minister, Mohammad Touhid Hossain, revealed on Thursday that the government will soon make a decision regarding the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Hasina, who fled to India earlier this month amid violent protests against her rule, is facing growing legal challenges back home.
In a Reuters interview, Hossain mentioned he wasn’t ready to speculate on the matter but noted that Sheikh Hasina is facing a multitude of legal cases. He added that the final decision on whether to pursue her extradition will rest with the country’s home and law ministers.
He noted that this situation puts India in a difficult position, as Hasina remains in New Delhi while she considers her options for seeking political asylum.
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