On Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) made a fervent appeal to the Indian government, urging it to take immediate action to protect Hindus in Bangladesh amidst the escalating unrest in the neighboring country. The VHP’s call for intervention comes as violence and persecution against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh have surged, prompting fears of further destabilization and a potential spillover of unrest into India.
VHP’s Urgent Call to Protect Hindus in Bangladesh
Rajesh Jain, the secretary of VHP’s Madhya Bharat Prant, addressed the media with a passionate plea for the Indian government to protect Hindus in Bangladesh who are reportedly facing severe persecution. Jain highlighted the distressing situation where Hindu homes and places of worship are being vandalized, urging the Centre to ensure that these individuals are protected. “We request the Centre to take all possible steps to protect Hindus in Bangladesh who are being persecuted and their houses and places of worship being vandalised,” Jain said.
The VHP’s appeal underscores a growing concern about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, where the Hindu population has dramatically dwindled from 32% at the time of partition to just 8% today. This decline has been attributed to violence and persecution by extremist groups, which Jain refers to as “jihadis.” He expressed readiness among VHP and Bajrang Dal activists to assist Indian security forces in safeguarding the borders with Bangladesh, emphasizing that they are prepared to support the Army and the Border Security Force if needed.
Jain’s remarks reflect the VHP’s broader agenda to address what it perceives as a critical threat to Hindus in Bangladesh. He stressed the importance of preventing the entry of extremists posing as refugees into India, which could exacerbate security concerns and further destabilize the region. The VHP’s call to “protect Hindus in Bangladesh” aligns with its longstanding stance on the need for vigilant border security and humanitarian intervention in the face of religious persecution.
Escalating Violence and Political Instability in Bangladesh
The appeal to protect Hindus in Bangladesh comes against the backdrop of significant unrest in the country. Since mid-July, violent anti-quota protests have erupted following the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet. The conflict has claimed at least 232 lives, bringing the total number of deaths to 560. The violence has intensified with reports of extremist attacks targeting Hindu families, temples, and crematoriums, leading to widespread destruction and fear among the minority community.
Following weeks of unrest, Sheikh Hasina announced her resignation as prime minister and departed Bangladesh, taking refuge in India. The political vacuum left by her departure has contributed to the chaos, with President Mohammed Shahabuddin dissolving parliament and appointing Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus as the interim leader. Yunus, recognized for his pioneering work in micro-lending, has promised to restore stability and ensure the security of all citizens, including the Hindu minority.
The VHP’s call to protect Hindus in Bangladesh is partly driven by reports of violence from nearly every district in the country. Jain claimed that extremists are attacking Hindu families, destroying temples, and targeting crematoriums, exacerbating the plight of the Hindu community. This situation has prompted the VHP to press for stronger measures to protect Hindus and prevent the potential influx of extremists into India.
The VHP’s Madhya Bharat Prant, which includes regions in Madhya Pradesh such as Bhopal and Gwalior, as well as parts of Chhattisgarh, has mobilized its resources to advocate for the protection of Hindus. The organization is actively engaging with local and national authorities to address the crisis and support measures that ensure the safety of Hindus both in Bangladesh and along India’s borders.
As the situation in Bangladesh remains volatile, the VHP’s appeal to protect Hindus highlights the urgent need for international and regional cooperation to address the humanitarian crisis. The Indian government’s response to this call will be crucial in determining the effectiveness of efforts to safeguard the Hindu minority and manage the broader implications of the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh.
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