Bangladesh's Rising Hate Crimes Spark India's Concern Over Minority Safety
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India has expressed deep concern over the growing violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, citing over 2,900 documented cases of attacks, including killings and land grabs, since the interim government took power in August 2024. The external affairs ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, condemned the recent lynching of a Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. The tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated in recent days, with both countries calling in each other's envoys to protest over developments that have strained bilateral ties. The protests in Bangladesh over the killing of radical student leader Sharif Osman Hadi took on an anti-India hue, further exacerbating the situation. Jaiswal emphasized that India's position on the security of minorities in Bangladesh is clear, and the recent incidents cannot be dismissed as mere media exaggerations or political violence. Bangladesh's interim government has often rejected India's criticism, describing it as exaggerated media reports or cases of political violence directed against members of the Awami League. The situation has been further complicated by anti-India rhetoric during the protests, with some Bangladeshi leaders claiming that Hadi's killers had sneaked into India. However, the law enforcement officials in Bangladesh have stated that they do not know the whereabouts of the assailants. India has reiterated its call for free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, which is scheduled to hold general elections on February 12. The external affairs ministry spokesperson also emphasized that India stands for strengthening ties with the people of Bangladesh and favors peace and stability in the country. In a separate development, the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman to Dhaka after 17 years in self-imposed exile in the UK has been seen as a significant development. India has called for free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh, which should be held in a peaceful atmosphere.
