New Delhi: India on Friday expressed serious concern over the continuing violence targeting minority communities in Bangladesh, condemning the recent lynching of a Hindu youth and urging firm action against those responsible. The Ministry of External Affairs said the persistent hostility faced by Hindus, Christians and Buddhists at the hands of extremist groups remains deeply troubling.
Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India strongly condemns the killing of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh last week and expects the accused to be brought to justice. Authorities in Bangladesh have so far arrested 12 suspects in connection with the incident.
“The unremitting hostilities against the minorities in Bangladesh including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists at the hands of extremists is a matter of grave concern… We condemn the recent gruesome killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice,” Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.
Citing figures compiled by independent observers, Jaiswal noted that more than 2,900 cases of violence against minorities — ranging from killings to land seizures and arson attacks — have been recorded during the tenure of the interim administration in Dhaka. These episodes, he said, cannot be dismissed as isolated or exaggerated reports.
India has also been monitoring mounting political tensions in Bangladesh following the recent killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who played a prominent role in last year’s mass protests that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. New Delhi rejected claims by some groups in Bangladesh seeking to link India to the incident, stating that maintaining security and order is the responsibility of the Bangladeshi authorities.
Jaiswal said India continues to follow developments in the neighbouring country closely, reiterating New Delhi’s longstanding position in favour of peace, stability and democratic participation in Bangladesh. Parliamentary elections there are scheduled for February 12.
India also reacted cautiously to the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman to Dhaka after 17 years abroad, saying the development should be seen against the backdrop of India’s support for free, fair and inclusive elections.
Reaffirming India’s commitment to strong bilateral ties, the spokesperson said New Delhi values its historic relationship with the people of Bangladesh, rooted in the Liberation War and strengthened through development cooperation and people-to-people engagement.
