India Urges Bangladesh To ‘Protect Hindus’

India has prodded Bangladesh to take effective steps to safeguard Hindus amid reports of tension in Chattogram over provocative social media posts.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged the interim government in Dhaka to act against “extremist elements”.

At a regular briefing in Delhi today (November 7), Jaiswal condemned the alleged attack on Hindus in Chattogram and said the tension was the result of "incendiary posts" on social media.

“India appeals to the Bangladesh government to take action against such extremist elements and also ensure the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh,” he said.

Hindus have been demonstrating in Chattogram in recent days to press for their eight-point demands. The minorities, particularly Hindus, have long been targeted after major political changeovers, particular elections. There were reports of attacks on Hindus after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government on August 5.

The issue made headline again just before the US election when Donald Trump condemned “barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh”.

He slammed US President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris for ignoring the plight of Hindus. “It would have never happened on my watch,” he wrote. “We will protect Hindu Americans against the anti-religion agenda of the radical left.”

Bangladesh's 2022 census counted a little more than 13.1 million Hindus, who made up 7.96% of the country's population.