India Condemns Lynching of Hindu Man in Bangladesh Amid Rising Minority Violence
India's Strong Condemnation of Violence Against Minorities
On Friday, India expressed its condemnation regarding the lynching of a Hindu individual in Bangladesh, highlighting the alarming trend of ongoing hostility towards minorities in the nation.
Dipu Chandra Das, a factory worker, tragically lost his life on December 18 in Mymensingh district, where he was brutally attacked by a mob. Following the assault, his body was reportedly tied to a tree and set ablaze. Authorities have detained eighteen individuals in connection with this horrific incident.
Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, stated that the persistent violence against minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists, by extremist groups is deeply troubling.
Jaiswal further emphasized the need for justice, stating, "We condemn the recent gruesome killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh and expect the perpetrators of the crime to be brought to justice." He also noted that independent reports have recorded over 2,900 instances of violence against minorities in Bangladesh during the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.
Such occurrences cannot simply be dismissed as media exaggeration or political violence, he asserted.
Das's death occurred amidst significant unrest in Bangladesh, triggered by the passing of student leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, who succumbed to gunshot wounds in a Singapore hospital on the same day.
Hadi was a notable figure in the 2024 student protests that resulted in the removal of the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina.
Additionally, Jaiswal cautiously addressed the recent return of Tarique Rahman, the acting chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, who returned to Bangladesh after 17 years in exile. His return is seen as pivotal for ensuring inclusive elections in the country.
Rahman, a significant contender for the prime ministerial position in the upcoming general elections scheduled for February, had been residing in London since fleeing Bangladesh in 2008. He was previously sentenced to life imprisonment for allegedly orchestrating a grenade attack in 2004 that resulted in the deaths of 24 Awami League members.
While in exile, he faced multiple legal challenges, including money laundering charges, which were overturned following Hasina's ousting in August 2024 after widespread student protests.
Rahman's return ahead of the 13th national election, set for February 12, marks a crucial moment for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, as it will be the first election since Hasina's departure from power.
Yunus, a Nobel laureate, assumed leadership of Bangladesh's interim government shortly after Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5, 2024, ending her 16-year tenure as prime minister.