NEW DELHI: British MPs Barry Gardiner and Priti Patel brought up the violence against Bangladesh Hindus in the UK Parliament on Monday. Gardiner, the labour MP from Brent West asked the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs to make a statement on the situation in Bangladesh and recent attacks on the Hindu community.
Catherine West, the Under-secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, responding to Gardiner said that she was given assurance by the interim Government in Bangladesh that support was available for minority communities in Bangladesh
“At the meeting with Chief Adviser Yunus, I discussed the full range of bilateral issues, including the importance of protecting religious minorities in Bangladesh. The UK Government support freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in Bangladesh through both our political advocacy and development programme funding,” said West.
“On the Hindu community in Bangladesh specifically, I was given assurances by the interim Government in Bangladesh that support was available for minority communities in Bangladesh in the lead up to Durga Puja —a national festival. We were pleased to see the establishment of a special policing unit, which was active in protecting mandaps—the Hindu worship sites—as I am sure my hon. Friend is aware,” she added.
“The UK Government will continue to monitor the situation, including making representations from this House, and will engage with the interim Government in Bangladesh on the importance of freedom of religion or belief specifically as it affects the Hindu community.”
Gardiner later mentioned that since August, Bangladesh has seen over 2,000 violent incidents, mainly targeting the minority Hindu community. He said extremist groups, including the banned Jamaat-e-Islami, have attacked temples and worshippers, with authorities accused of inaction.
He also mentioned the arrest Chinmoy Krishna Das and called for urgent action to restore law and order.
“The situation is clearly on a knife edge. With such large diaspora populations in the UK and large Hindu communities with strong links to the community in Bangladesh, I ask my hon. Friend what more she can do to have discussions with the Bangladeshi Government and other partners in the region to ensure that tensions are lowered, the rule of law put into effect, and calm and order restored,” said Gardiner.
Additionally, Priti Patel, Conservative MP from Witham also raised the issue in the parliament and asked the government how they are engaging with the Bangladeshi government on the issue.
“She (Catherine West) is right to point out that, as the hon. Member for Brent West said, the degree of escalation in the violence is deeply, deeply concerning. What we are witnessing now is uncontrolled violence in many quarters. We are watching with horror and shock as further violence spreads in Bangladesh,” said Patel.
“Will the Minister give details of the Government’s engagement with the Bangladesh Government on that particular matter? What discussions have taken place? Have we been robust in pursuing: the right to protect life; the prevention of violence and persecution; and, importantly, tolerance for religious belief? What efforts have the Government undertaken to build on the previous Government’s work to promote freedom of religion and belief in Bangladesh? Can the Minister say what discussions are taking place with other international partners to help restore the stability we desperately need to see in Bangladesh?,” she asked.
West in response said that the British high commission is guiding and supporting a peaceful transition.
“Our high commission is active—more than any other that I could see when I was there—in guiding, helping and supporting a peaceful transition to a new Government, elections eventually and a harmonious future. Anywhere in the world where freedom of religion or belief is at risk, there we will be standing up for the rights of minority groups,” said West.
Responsibility rests with Dhaka: India
Earlier, EAM S Jaishankar, said that the Centre has taken violence in Bangladesh against minorities seriously. He also said that it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh interim government to protect minority communities.
“The government has seen several reports of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, their homes and business establishments, and of attacks on temples/ religious places, including in the month of August 2024, across Bangladesh,” he said adding that the “government has taken a serious note of these incidents and shared its concerns with the Government of Bangladesh.”
“The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the Government of Bangladesh,” he added.
Meanwhile, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) on Monday condemned the breach of the Bangladesh assistant high commission premises in Agartala, describing the incident as “deeply regrettable”.
“The incident earlier today of the breach of premises at the Bangladesh assistant high commission in Agartala is deeply regrettable. Diplomatic and consular properties should not be targeted under any circumstances,” MEA said in a statement.
“Government is taking action to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi and their deputy/assistant high commissions in the country,” the ministry added.
Demonstrators allegedly broke into the Bangladesh assistant high commission in Agartala to protest atrocities against minorities in the neighbouring country.