New Delhi: British MP Barry Gardner Priti Patel raised the issue of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh in the British Parliament on Monday. Gardner, the Labor MP for Brent West, asked the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Secretary to make a statement on the situation in Bangladesh and recent attacks on the Hindu community.
Responding to Gardner, Katherine West, Under Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, said that Bangladesh’s interim government assured her that it would provide support to Bangladesh’s ethnic minority communities.
“In my meeting with Chief Adviser Yunus, I discussed a full range of bilateral issues, including the importance of protecting religious minorities in Bangladesh. The UK Government supports freedom of religion or belief in Bangladesh through our political initiatives and development and free speech program funding,” West said.
“Especially for the Hindu community in Bangladesh, the interim government of Bangladesh has assured me that support will be provided to the minority communities in Bangladesh ahead of the national festival Durga Puja. We are happy to see the establishment of a The Select Committee Police Service actively protects mandap – Hindu places of worship – as I am sure my friend knows.
“The UK government will continue to monitor the situation, including making representations in the House of Representatives, and will engage with the interim government in Bangladesh on the importance of freedom of religion or belief, particularly as it affects the Hindu community.”
Gardner then mentioned that since August, more than 2,000 violent incidents have occurred in Bangladesh, mainly targeting the minority Hindu community. Extremist groups including the banned Jamaat-e-Islami party have attacked temples and worshipers, and authorities have been accused of inaction, he said.
He also mentioned the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and called for urgent action to restore law and order.
“The situation is clearly on the edge. There is such a large diaspora in the UK and the Hindu community has strong links with the Bangladeshi community that I ask my dear friend, what else can she do to open discussions with the Bangladeshi government and Bangladesh?
In addition, Priti Patel, the Conservative MP from Wytham, also raised the issue in Parliament and asked the government how they are engaging with the Bangladesh government on this issue.
“She (Catherine West) rightly points out, as the Honorable Brent West MP said, the level of escalation in violence is deeply worrying. What we are witnessing now is violence spiraling out of control on many fronts. We are following As violence spreads further across Bangladesh, Patel is frightened and shocked.
“Can the Minister elaborate on the Government’s engagement with the Government of Bangladesh on this particular issue? What discussions took place? Are we resolute in our pursuit of: protecting the right to life; preventing violence and persecution; and, importantly, tolerating the Government’s What efforts are being made to build on the previous administration’s work to promote freedom of religion and belief in Bangladesh? Can the minister reveal what discussions are taking place with other international partners to help restore the stability that we urgently need to see?
West responded that the British High Commission was guiding and supporting a peaceful transition.
“Our High Commission has been more proactive than any other institution I have seen in my time there in guiding, assisting and supporting a peaceful transition to a new government, eventual elections and a harmonious future. Anywhere in the world where there is religious freedom or Religious freedom, beliefs are under threat and we will defend the rights of minorities,” West said.
The onus lies with Dhaka: India
Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar said the Center takes violence against minorities in Bengal seriously. He also said that protecting minority communities is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh.
“The government has received multiple reports of violence against Hindus and other minorities and their residential and commercial establishments and attacks on temples/religious places across Bangladesh, including the incident in August 2024,” he said .
“The primary responsibility to protect the life and freedom of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, lies with the Bangladesh government,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday condemned the vandalism of the office building of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, calling the incident “deeply regrettable”.
“The destruction of the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala earlier today is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances.
“The government is taking action to strengthen security arrangements at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its Deputy/Assistant High Commission in the country,” the ministry added.
Demonstrators allegedly broke into the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala to protest against atrocities against minorities in the neighboring country.
