Interim Bangladesh government must protect all minorities: India concerned over ‘targeted attacks’ on Hindus

India has expressed concern over escalating extremist rhetoric and rising incidents of violence in Bangladesh and called on the country’s interim government to fulfill its duty to protect all minority groups.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on November 29 reiterated India’s consistent position on the issue, highlighting the growing threats and “targeted attacks” against Hindus and other minorities.

“Our position is clear that the caretaker government must live up to its responsibility to protect all minorities,” Jaiswal said in response to a question during his weekly media briefing.

He highlighted the concern over the rise of extremism and violent incidents, stressing that these developments should not be dismissed as mere media exaggeration. “We again call on Bangladesh to take all necessary measures to protect its minorities,” he added.

Regarding the arrest of the Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das by the Bangladeshi authorities, Jaiswal said that the case is under judicial review. “We expect these trials to be conducted fairly, honestly and transparently, ensuring that the legal rights of all parties are respected,” he said.

The arrest of Das, a former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), followed a sedition charge filed in late October.

Bangladeshi authorities also ordered a 30-day freeze on the bank accounts of 17 people associated with ISKCON, including Das. The decision came after a court rejected a petition to ban the organization following a violent clash between supporters of the Hindu community and security forces that led to the killing of a lawyer.

According to media reports, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) ordered banks to freeze all transactions related to the affected accounts. The Finance Division also requested that the transaction reports for businesses owned by these individuals be updated.

On October 30, a sedition case was registered against 19 people, including Das, for disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag during a Hindu rally in Chattogram. Das, who was also the spokesperson of Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested on November 27 at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and was denied bail. This caused protests from his supporters.

India expressed concern over the arrest and denial of bail, calling on Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities. In response to the arrest, former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also called for Das’ release and condemned the violence that led to the lawyer’s death.

ISKCON Bangladesh has denied any involvement in the lawyer’s murder, calling the allegations baseless and part of a malicious campaign. A spokesman for Bangladesh’s attorney general’s office said that while the Supreme Court declined to ban ISKCON, it expected the government to maintain law and order and protect people’s lives and property.

Hindus, who made up about 22% of Bangladesh’s population during the 1971 Liberation War, now make up about 8%. Reports of violence and discrimination against the Hindu community continue as extremist groups such as Jamaat-e-Islami and other similar factions gain prominence.