'Unremitting Hostility Against Minorities In Bangladesh A Matter Of Great Concern': India
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government expects the perpetrators of the crime to be brought to justice.
by Zee Media Bureau · Zee NewsIndia on Friday condemned the killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh and expressed grave concern over what it described as the “unremitting hostility” against minorities in the neighbouring country.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government expects the perpetrators of the crime to be brought to justice.
In a press briefing, MEA Spokeperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The unremitting hostility against minorities in Bangladesh is a matter of great concern. We condemn the recent killing of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice."
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India remains committed to strong people-to-people ties with Bangladesh, supports peace and stability there, and has consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections.
"India stands for strengthening our ties with the people of Bangladesh. We favour peace and stability in Bangladesh, and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in Bangladesh," Jaiswal said.
Jaiswal’s statement comes amid reports of rising atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, with extremist violence continuing unabated.
Two Hindu Youths Lynched By Mobs In Bangladesh This Week
So far, two Indian Hindu youths have been killed by mobs in Bangladesh this week. On December 18, Deepu Chandra Das was lynched and set on fire by a mob over alleged blasphemy. A few days later, on December 24, another Hindu youth, identified as Amrit Mandal, was lynched by a mob on the pretext of extortion.
Following India’s strong reaction to the lynching of Deepu Chandra Das, the Yunus-led interim government assured that those responsible would be brought to justice. Law enforcement agencies have arrested 12 people in connection with the case.
The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, has also strongly condemned the killing of Amrit Mandal and said legal action would be taken against all those involved.
"The government strongly condemns this killing. The government wishes to state unequivocally that it does not support any form of extrajudicial activity, mob violence, or unlawful conduct under any circumstances. Legal action will be taken against all those directly or indirectly involved in the incident," ANI quoted the Yunus government as saying in a statement.
Bangladesh Sees Surge In Violence Since Interim Government Took Charge
These killings come against the backdrop of a wave of violence that has gripped Bangladesh since Muhammad Yunus assumed power. Tensions escalated sharply two weeks ago following the murder of extremist Islamic leader Shariq Usman Hadi, which triggered protests blaming India.
Violent Protests Erupt After Killing Of Extremist Leader Shariq Usman Hadi
Hadi’s death led to violent demonstrations across Bangladesh, during which protesters targeted several prominent sites, including the offices of leading newspapers Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, the national cultural institution Chhayanaut, the Indian Assistant High Commission offices in Chattogram and Khulna, the Indian Cultural Centre, and the remaining structures of the Bangabandhu memorial museum, besides other media outlets, cultural institutions and diplomatic establishments nationwide.