Yunus must take immediate steps to prevent carnage: Karan Singh on attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh

NEW DELHI, Nov 30: Former Member Parliament, Karan Singh on Saturday condemned the recent attacks on Hindu temples and community leaders in Bangladesh and urged the country’s interim Government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to take immediate steps to prevent the “carnage” as well as reassure the Hindu community of their security.

In a statement issued here today, the former Member Parliament said “Having been in the Union Cabinet and personally witnessed the whole saga of Bangladesh liberation in the 1970’s, it was assumed that unlike Pakistan where Islamic fundamentalism suffused the nation, Bangladesh was to be a democratic and non-denominational nation where all religious communities would receive equal protection from the state. But, recent events in Bangladesh in which Hindu Temples, organisations, community leaders and private residences have been ruthlessly attacked causing severe loss of life and property are indeed shocking. The same has happened with Christian Church’s and the Ahmadiyya community. These events are highly condemnable.”

“I urge the Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus who heads the new Government of Bangladesh to take immediate steps to prevent this carnage and to reassure the large and widespread Hindu community that their lives, property and religious places shall be fully secure. The recent events have created widespread concern in the billion strong Hindu community around the world and is gravely impacting the image of Bangladesh. I am confident that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar has conveyed the appropriate message to Bangladesh on behalf of India,” he added.