Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi announced on Friday that he had received a phone call from Muhammad Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s caretaker government, assuring New Delhi of the “protection, safety, and security” of Hindus in the country. This conversation comes in the wake of escalating violence in Bangladesh, where Hindu communities have been targeted following the resignation and flight of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
As per the Reuters’ report, last week, a school teacher was killed, and at least 45 others were injured as homes, businesses, and temples belonging to Hindus in the Muslim-majority country came under attack. The unrest erupted after violent protests demanding Hasina’s ouster led to her departure from Bangladesh. Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, now leading the caretaker government in Dhaka, reached out to Modi, emphasizing his commitment to safeguarding Hindus and other minority groups in the nation.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi acknowledged Yunus’s assurances and reiterated India’s unwavering support for a “democratic, stable, peaceful, and progressive Bangladesh.” Modi’s remarks highlight India’s concern over the safety of Hindus, who make up about 8% of Bangladesh’s 170 million population and have historically backed Hasina’s Awami League party, known for its secular stance.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council estimates that communal violence has spread across 52 of the country’s 64 districts since August 5, the day Hasina fled to India. The escalating violence has driven hundreds of Hindus to seek refuge in India, raising alarm in New Delhi, reported Reuters.
India, which shares strong cultural and economic ties with Bangladesh, has expressed deep concern over the attacks on minorities, emphasising the need for their protection during this volatile period.