Thursday, 28 November 2024
Thursday, 28 November 2024
Widespread protests continued for the third day on Thursday following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in Bangladesh, which has been at the heart of unrest that led to violent clashes and the death of a lawyer.
Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, to political leaders cutting across party lines in India, also spoke out on the situation in Bangladesh, garnering further global attention to the situation.
Hasina, who fled to India on August 5 following widespread protests against her Awami League-led government, said, “A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested, he must be released immediately…A temple has been burnt in Chittagong. Previously, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and homes of the Ahmadiyya community were attacked, vandalised and looted and set on fire. Religious freedom and security of life and property of people of all communities should be ensured.”
The former prime minister’s statement was posted on the Awami League’s X account.
Earlier, the Bangladesh high court on Thursday rejected a petition seeking to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). This decision came after some quarters alleged that the organisation’s activities were contributing to discord. A lawyer had sought a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) after placing some newspaper reports related to the organisation on November 27.
“The two-member High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Debashish Roy Chowdhury on Thursday declined to ban the ISKCON activities in Bangladesh,” a spokesperson of the attorney general’s office said.
ISKCON’s Bangladesh chief, Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari, expressed relief at the judgment. “No government would ever agree to such demands from extremists as we are a peaceful organisation,” he said, welcoming the court’s decision as a step toward fairness.
Indian political leaders continued to express concern about the developments during the ongoing winter session of the Parliament.
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee emphasised she preferred not to comment on the matter as it pertains to another country.
“Bangladesh is a different country. The government of India will look into it. It does not come under our jurisdiction. We are not supposed to talk about it or interfere. While we feel sorry inside, we follow the policies set by the Centre,” Banerjee said.
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee toed a similar line. “Bangladesh is not a state issue; it is an issue of the Centre. Since it’s an international issue, it concerns the Central government. People gave their mandate to the BJP-led government at the Centre. TMC, as a party, had made its stand clear. TMC will support the decision of the Centre regarding Bangladesh. Whatever has happened in Bangladesh is extremely unfortunate and highly condemnable.”
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today released a statement calling for calm and action. “The situation of the Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh is continuing to cause concern. Various incidents have occurred that threaten their safety and security,” the statement said, urging Bangladesh’s interim government to take swift measures to restore peace and harmony.
Shashi Tharoor, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, confirmed that the MEA would brief the committee on December 11. “It seems very grave and troubling. All Indians will be concerned because it is a next-door neighbour whose well-being we are concerned about,” Tharoor said, reflecting growing anxiety about the implications of the unrest for regional stability.
AAP leader Manish Sisodia said, “Whatever is happening with ISKCON (in Bangladesh) we all are worried. ISKCON has given the message of love and cordiality to the entire world - it cannot be a terrorist organisation, these people cannot be radical and calling them such won’t be accepted in the world, let alone India. I expect the govt of India to take whatever necessary action is needed.”
Tripura CM Manik Saha says, “It is sad how they are being attacked in Bangladesh. Such a thing should not happen. Bangladesh’s development is not possible without India.”
Hindu organisations continued with their protests across India on Thursday. In Calcutta, the Bangiya Hindu Jagaran Manch organised a rally to voice opposition to what they termed the ‘targeting of Hindu leaders’ in Bangladesh. The marchers attempted to proceed from Sealdah station to the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission but were stopped by police near Beckbagan.
In Jammu, Shiv Sena activists held demonstrations condemning the attacks on Hindus and temples in Bangladesh. Led by state chief Manish Sahani, the protesters burned effigies and flags, urging Indian authorities to intervene diplomatically to protect minority communities in the neighbouring country.
