VHP urges Centre to ensure safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh

New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) urged the central government on Tuesday to take every possible step for the safety of minorities in Bangladesh amid the ongoing unrest.

During a press conference on Tuesday, VHP International President Alok Kumar said that in Bangladesh, the houses, shops, offices, business establishments of Hindus and women, children and even the centres of their belief, faith and worship such as temples and Gurudwaras are not safe. It can be said that the condition of the oppressed minorities there is going from bad to worse.

He said that in such a worrying situation it is the responsibility of the world community to take effective action for the safety of minorities and the protection of human rights in Bangladesh.

“India cannot turn a blind eye to this situation. Bharat has traditionally helped oppressed communities across the world. Vishva Hindu Parishad urges the Government of Bharat to take every possible step for the safety of minorities in Bangladesh,” Alok Kumar said.

“Our neighbour Bangladesh is trapped in a strange uncertainty, violence and anarchy. After the resignation of the Hasina government and her leaving the country, the process of formation of an interim government is going on. In this hour of crisis, Bharat stands firmly with the entire society of Bangladesh as a friend,” he added.

He further highlighted that in the recent past, religious places, business establishments and houses of Hindus, Sikhs and other minorities have also been rampaged in Bangladesh. Till last night, 22 houses in the Panchgarh district alone, 20 houses in Jhenaidah and 22 shops in Jessore became targets of fundamentalists and in many districts, even crematoriums were vandalised. Temples and Gurudwaras have also been vandalised, he added.

Alok Kumar said that there is hardly any district left in Bangladesh which has not become a target of their violence and terror. It is appropriate to point out that Hindus, who were once 32 per cent in Bangladesh, are now less than 8 per cent and they too are victims of continuous Jihadi persecution, he said during the press conference.

“It is possible that taking advantage of this situation, a big attempt may be made to orchestrate infiltration into the Bharatiya territory through the 4,096-kilometre-long (2,545 mi) Indo-Bangladesh border. We have to be extremely cautious about this. Therefore, our security forces must keep strict 24×7 vigil on the borders and not allow any kind of infiltration,” he said.

The VHP President expressed that democracy and secular government be re-established in Bangladesh as soon as possible. The society there should get human rights and there should be no hindrance in the continuous economic progress of Bangladesh. The society and government of Bharat will continue to support Bangladesh in this matter, he added.

The political situation in Bangladesh remains volatile following Sheikh Hasina’s resignation amid escalating protests. These demonstrations, largely driven by students demanding an end to the quota system for government jobs, have evolved into broader anti-government protests.

Recent clashes in Dhaka have resulted in at least 135 fatalities, including 14 police officers, with hundreds more injured, according to local media outlets.

Following her resignation, Sheikh Hasina arrived in India on Monday evening. It is unclear whether she will stay in Delhi or travel to another location, with some reports suggesting she might proceed to London.