Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government on Thursday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his congratulations to Yunus on social media and expressed hope for a quick return to normalcy in Bangladesh. Modi also appealed for the protection of Hindus and other minority communities in the country.
Following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina amid student protests in mid-July, violence in Bangladesh has resulted in over 500 deaths. The unrest has led to attacks on Hindu temples, homes, and businesses, and the killing of at least two Hindu leaders associated with Hasina’s Awami League party.
Letter to Bangladesh’s President
Over 50 prominent figures from Bengal, including filmmaker Aparna Sen, academic Pavitra Sarkar, and former Supreme Court judge Ashok Ganguly, have written a letter to Bangladesh’s President, Mohammad Shahabuddin. The letter urges the President to ensure the safety of all community members and expresses concern over attacks on minorities. The signatories praised instances where one community protected the places of worship of another. They wrote the letter due to growing concerns about the worsening situation and calls from Bangladeshi friends around the world.
Hindu Population in Bangladesh
In recent years, the Hindu population in Bangladesh has been decreasing. In 1951, Hindus made up about 22% of the population, but by 2011, this had dropped to approximately 8.54%. Currently, Hindus make up about 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million people, making them the second-largest community.
Indian Government’s Response
The Indian government is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh. Recently, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar briefed Prime Minister Modi on the developments in the neighboring country.
Attacks on Hindus by Extremists
Since the political upheaval in Bangladesh, there have been reports of violence against Hindus, including attacks on temples, homes, and businesses. There have also been assaults on women and the murder of at least two Hindu leaders connected to Hasina’s party. The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council has reported incidents of brutality in various regions.
Bangladeshi Refugees at the Border
Due to the violence, India has declared a high alert on the Bangladesh border. Many Bangladeshi citizens are trying to flee the country, seeking refuge in India. Several Bangladeshi nationals have reached the border area in Bengal and are asking for asylum. The Border Security Force (BSF) and local police have been deployed to manage the situation and send the refugees back.
The BSF has increased the number of personnel at border posts and is maintaining strict surveillance to manage the emergency situation. The force remains committed to ensuring border security and the safety of individuals in the region.
