Bangladesh concerned over violence against Indian minorities

Diplomatic Correspondent :

Bangladesh on Sunday expressed deep concern over recent incidents of violence against minority communities in India, including Muslims and Christians and urged Delhi to refrain from spreading misleading narratives.

According to spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry SM Mahbubul Alam, Bangladesh is seriously worried about reports of brutal killings, mob lynching, arbitrary detention, and obstruction of religious observances targeting minority groups across different parts of India.

In reply to a question of the journalists at the Ministry, the spokesperson referred to several incidents this month, including the brutal killing of a Muslim youth, Jewel Rana, in Odisha; the killing of Muhammad Atahar Hossain in Bihar; the killing of an innocent person in Kerala on suspicion of being Bangladeshi; and multiple cases of mob violence against Muslims and Christians in various regions.

Dhaka is also concerned about incidents of violence reported during the celebration of the Christian religious festival Christmas across India last week.

“Bangladesh is also deeply concerned about the incidents of mob violence committed against them. We view these incidents as hate crimes and targeted violence,” he said.

“We expect the relevant authorities of India to conduct impartial investigations into these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he added.

Before closing his statement, he said, “We believe that it is the responsibility of every country to ensure the protection and dignity of its minority communities, and that every country should uphold this obligation.”

He also made comments in response to recent remarks made by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal regarding the situation of minority communities in Bangladesh.

Mahbubul Alam said that Bangladesh categorically rejected what it described as inaccurate, exaggerated, and motivated narratives that misrepresent the country’s longstanding tradition of communal harmony. The government said such comments do not reflect the facts on the ground.

“His comments do not reflect the facts. The government of Bangladesh categorically rejects any inaccurate, exaggerated, or motivated narratives that misrepresent Bangladesh’s longstanding tradition of communal harmony,” he said.

“With much regret, we note that there are systematic attempts to portray the isolated incidents of criminal acts as systemic persecution of the Hindus and maliciously used to propagate anti-Bangladesh sentiments in different parts of India,” he said.

He further noted that a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented, and propagated to incite common Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions, and other establishments in India.

“We observe a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented and propagated to incite common Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions and other establishments in India,” the spokesperson said.

Addressing a specific case cited by the Indian MEA spokesperson, Bangladesh said the individual concerned was a listed criminal who died during an extortion attempt involving a Muslim accomplice, who was later arrested.

“To portray this criminal act through the lens of minority treatment is not factual but misleading,” he said.

Dhaka also called upon different quarters in India to refrain from spreading misleading narratives that undermine the spirit of good-neighborly relations and mutual trust between the two countries.

In response to a question asking whether Foreign Ministry would seek the return of two individuals – identified as the killers of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi – who have reportedly fled to India under the extradition treaty, the spokesperson said, ‘We have also learned that the two accused have fled to India.

He further said, “I will provide further details on this matter after gathering more information from the Home Ministry.”

Whenever incidents of repression involving Hindu minorities occur in Bangladesh, India and a section of its media frequently respond with strong criticism.

The recent killing of Dipu Chandra Das, a Hindu citizen, in Mymensingh triggered such reactions, with New Delhi raising concerns and Indian media framing the incident as a minority security issue.

Responding to the matter, Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain recently stated that the victim was a Bangladeshi citizen and that linking the killing to minority persecution was unjustified.

He emphasised that the government acted promptly and that several suspects had already been arrested, underscoring that the incident was being handled through due legal process.

In the aftermath, ultra-nationalist Hindu groups in India carried out attacks on the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on one day and issued death threats against the Bangladeshi High Commissioner.

On another day, several thousand protesters, organised under different banners, demonstrated in front of the mission.

Following these developments, India summoned the Bangladesh High Commissioner in Delhi. Dhaka, in turn, summoned the Indian High Commissioner, citing concerns over the security of its diplomatic mission.

Despite this exchange, New Delhi has continued to raise concerns about the alleged persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.

This time, however, Foreign Ministry has also expressed concern over attacks on minority communities, including Muslims and Christians, in India.

The ministry noted incidents of vandalism targeting religious observances, including disruptions during Christmas celebrations, and called attention to the broader issue of minority safety.

As churches fill with worshippers and festive greetings circulate, Christmas in India this time unfolded under a cloud of fear and tension rather than celebration, marked by numerous reports of attacks, intimidation, and disruptions targeting Christian gatherings and decorations.

The incidents have been linked to RSS-affiliated and other right-wing Hindu groups across several states, including Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Kerala.

While police have made arrests and increased security measures, religious leaders have warned against intimidation and urged authorities to uphold constitutional rights and ensure the safety of minority communities.

Even Indian Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sadly said, “There are attacks on Christians in different places of the country. Even in Kerala, there was an attack on a carol singing group in Palakkad, which is truly shocking.”