Tag: BANGLADESH

  • BNP stages march to Indian High Commission in Dhaka 

    BNP stages march to Indian High Commission in Dhaka 

    Workers of the three organizations began to gather in front of BNP’s headquarter in the Nayapaltan area of the capital Dhaka from morning. ..reports Asian Lite News

    In protest against the attacks on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, thousands of supporters of Bangladesh Nationalists Party (BNP)’s three organizations on Sunday marched towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. 

    BNP’s three organizations – Jatiotabadi Chatra Dal (JCD), the students wing; Jatiotabadi Jubo Dal (JJD), the youth wings; Jatiotabadi Shecchasebak Dal (JSD), volunteer wing; organized the protest march. 

    Workers of the three organizations began to gather in front of BNP’s headquarter in the Nayapaltan area of the capital Dhaka from morning. 

    The protesters carried various placards. These placards carried slogans such as “Why the attacks on Assistant High Commission in Agartala”, “Delhi or Dhaka, Dhaka Dhaka”, etc. 

    After marching six kilometers along one of Dhaka’s main roads, the march was blocked by police barricades in Rampura area. From there, a delegation went to the High Commission of India in Dhaka and submitted a memorandum. 

    Earlier on December 2, India decided to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its other diplomatic premises in the country following an incident involving the breach of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala. 

    Meanwhile, the situation continues to be tense in Bangladesh with reports of attacks on minorities. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities’ homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. 

    On Friday night, another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka.The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack. 

    Babul Ghosh, supervisor of the temple said that a complaint has been filed against unidentified miscreants for burning down his ancestral temple. 

    Speaking with ANI, Ghosh said that the attackers poured petrol on the idols while he was not present at the house and ran away on hearing his footsteps. He further alleged that the attackers had some ‘ulterior motives’ other than burning the idols. 

    Arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests. 

    India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. 

    India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI) 

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  • Protests across Bengal over Bangladesh situation   

    Protests across Bengal over Bangladesh situation   

    At the demonstration outside the Salt Lake International Bus Terminus near Kolkata, protesters torched Dhakai Jamdani sarees of Bangladesh 

    Protests were held in various parts of West Bengal on Sunday over the alleged atrocities on minority Hindus in Bangladesh. 

    Hundreds of people joined the protest rallies organised by Hindutva groups in Kolkata, Kanthi, Kakdwip, Sandeshkhali and Purulia, calling for the immediate release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. 

    At the demonstration outside the Salt Lake International Bus Terminus near Kolkata, protesters torched Dhakai Jamdani sarees from Bangladesh. 

    They called for a boycott of Bangladeshi goods, warning that Indians wouldn’t remain silent if the disrespect toward the tricolour and attacks on Hindus continued. 

    “We condemn the continuous targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh and the hate-driven narratives against India. We will not sit idle and with burning the Jamdani sarees, we urge people to boycott Bangladeshi products,” said a protestor. 

    “What kind of Bangladesh is this? The people who fought for liberation in 1971 now seem to be erasing their own history,” said another protestor. 

    Leading the protest rally in Kanthi, the state’s Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said ‘sanatanis’ were united against rising fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh. 

    “The martyrdom of 30,000 Indian soldiers in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war has been forgotten by the Islamists in the neighbouring country. Today’s rally is a wake-up call to the elements across the border to stop rabble-rousing rhetoric,” he said. 

    When asked about anti-India statements by Bangladeshi groups, Adhikari said that following international protocol and UN guidelines, the Narendra Modi government will take appropriate steps at the right moment. 

    Bangladesh optimistic about resolving standoff 

    Bangladesh and India will be able to overcome the stalemate in the relationship witnessed in recent months, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said here on Sunday. 

    His comments came ahead of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Bangladesh on Monday during which he is likely to raise with Dhaka India’s concerns over attacks on Hindus after a massive uprising ended deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule in August. 

    This will be the first visit to be made by a senior Indian government official to Bangladesh since the interim government came to power on August 8. 

    “We expect that we will be able to overcome this impasse. Establishing mutual communication and meeting each other is very important to overcome any such stalemate,” Hossain told a seminar titled ‘SAARC – People of South Asia Crave’ at the National Press Club. “I hope they (foreign secretaries) will have a fruitful discussion,” he said. 

    He noted that it is important to acknowledge that there is a problem if they want to solve any problem.Hossain, a career diplomat, said it is also important to note that the relations between Bangladesh and India witnessed changes after August 5, and both sides need to try and take forward the relations and accept this changed reality. 

    The downturn that the two countries witnessed over the last few months in terms of bilateral business activities affected both sides, he said. He also referred to the impacts on businesses in Kolkata and West Bengal. 

    Bangladesh’s foreign office spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said efforts were made to keep all the elements of the bilateral relations on the agenda during the Foreign Office Consultation with India. He described trade, border management, connectivity, and water issues as the key areas expected to be discussed. 

    The close ties between India and Bangladesh came under severe strain after Hasina was forced to leave the country in the face of a massive anti-government protest in August. Yunus came to power days after Hasina took shelter in India. 

    The relations deteriorated further in recent weeks over attacks on Hindus and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das. 

    There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities as well as attacks on temples in the neighbouring country in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi. 

    “Our position on the matter is very clear — the interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on November 29. 

    India also hoped that the case relating to Bangladeshi monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested on a charge of sedition, would be dealt with in a just, fair and transparent manner. 

    Kathmandu-based SAARC Journalists Forum organised Sunday’s seminar. Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in several media interviews expressed his desire to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as a vibrant regional grouping for mutual benefit. Hossain said Yunus was very sincere to revitalise the SAARC. 

    ALSO READ: Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Yunus says country is united

  • Protests across Bengal over Bangladesh situation

    Protests across Bengal over Bangladesh situation

    At the demonstration outside the Salt Lake International Bus Terminus near Kolkata, protesters torched Dhakai Jamdani sarees of Bangladesh…reports Asian Lite News

    Protests were held in various parts of West Bengal on Sunday over the alleged atrocities on minority Hindus in Bangladesh.

    Hundreds of people joined the protest rallies organised by Hindutva groups in Kolkata, Kanthi, Kakdwip, Sandeshkhali and Purulia, calling for the immediate release of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.

    At the demonstration outside the Salt Lake International Bus Terminus near Kolkata, protesters torched Dhakai Jamdani sarees from Bangladesh.

    They called for a boycott of Bangladeshi goods, warning that Indians wouldn’t remain silent if the disrespect toward the tricolour and attacks on Hindus continued.

    “We condemn the continuous targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh and the hate-driven narratives against India. We will not sit idle and with burning the Jamdani sarees, we urge people to boycott Bangladeshi products,” said a protestor.

    “What kind of Bangladesh is this? The people who fought for liberation in 1971 now seem to be erasing their own history,” said another protestor.

    Leading the protest rally in Kanthi, the state’s Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said ‘sanatanis’ were united against rising fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh.

    “The martyrdom of 30,000 Indian soldiers in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war has been forgotten by the Islamists in the neighbouring country. Today’s rally is a wake-up call to the elements across the border to stop rabble-rousing rhetoric,” he said.

    When asked about anti-India statements by Bangladeshi groups, Adhikari said that following international protocol and UN guidelines, the Narendra Modi government will take appropriate steps at the right moment.

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    Bangladesh optimistic about resolving standoff

    XXX

    Bangladesh and India will be able to overcome the stalemate in the relationship witnessed in recent months, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said here on Sunday.

    His comments came ahead of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit to Bangladesh on Monday during which he is likely to raise with Dhaka India’s concerns over attacks on Hindus after a massive uprising ended deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule in August.

    This will be the first visit to be made by a senior Indian government official to Bangladesh since the interim government came to power on August 8.

    “We expect that we will be able to overcome this impasse. Establishing mutual communication and meeting each other is very important to overcome any such stalemate,” Hossain told a seminar titled ‘SAARC – People of South Asia Crave’ at the National Press Club. “I hope they (foreign secretaries) will have a fruitful discussion,” he said.

    He noted that it is important to acknowledge that there is a problem if they want to solve any problem.Hossain, a career diplomat, said it is also important to note that the relations between Bangladesh and India witnessed changes after August 5, and both sides need to try and take forward the relations and accept this changed reality.

    The downturn that the two countries witnessed over the last few months in terms of bilateral business activities affected both sides, he said. He also referred to the impacts on businesses in Kolkata and West Bengal.

    Bangladesh’s foreign office spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam said efforts were made to keep all the elements of the bilateral relations on the agenda during the Foreign Office Consultation with India. He described trade, border management, connectivity, and water issues as the key areas expected to be discussed.

    The close ties between India and Bangladesh came under severe strain after Hasina was forced to leave the country in the face of a massive anti-government protest in August. Yunus came to power days after Hasina took shelter in India.

    The relations deteriorated further in recent weeks over attacks on Hindus and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.

    There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities as well as attacks on temples in the neighbouring country in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi.

    “Our position on the matter is very clear — the interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on November 29.

    India also hoped that the case relating to Bangladeshi monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested on a charge of sedition, would be dealt with in a just, fair and transparent manner.

    Kathmandu-based SAARC Journalists Forum organised Sunday’s seminar. Bangladesh interim government’s Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in several media interviews expressed his desire to revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) as a vibrant regional grouping for mutual benefit. Hossain said Yunus was very sincere to revitalise the SAARC.

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  • Indian Foreign Secy Heads to Dhaka

    Indian Foreign Secy Heads to Dhaka

    The visit comes against the backdrop of heightened concerns over reported atrocities against the Hindu minority…reports Asian Lite News

    Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is set to embark on a visit to Dhaka on Monday amid tensions over atrocities on the Hindu community there. He will hold Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin.

    The visit comes against the backdrop of heightened concerns over reported atrocities against the Hindu minority under the Mohammad Yunus regime and the arrest of a prominent Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.

    It also marks the first high-level diplomatic engagement from New Delhi to Dhaka following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and her subsequent flight to India after large-scale anti-government protests rocked Bangladesh.

    Vikram Misri’s visit is to participate in the Foreign Office Consultations, a mechanism to address bilateral issues and foster dialogue. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the meeting last week, emphasising India’s commitment to addressing growing challenges in its eastern neighbour.

    This development follows an earlier meeting in September between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. That meeting, the first high-level interaction after Hasina’s ouster, focused on strengthening bilateral relations amid an increasingly strained atmosphere.

    India has expressed deep concern over rising extremist rhetoric, growing incidents of violence, and provocations against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Misri’s visit is expected to address these pressing issues and explore avenues for stabilising bilateral relations during a time of significant turmoil.

    Hindus all over the world have also been shocked by multiple attacks on the community and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.

    “We are concerned about the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for the protection of all minorities,” the MEA had stated previously.

    ALSO READ: Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Yunus says country is united

  • B’desh removes ‘barriers’ for Pakistani goods, nationals  

    B’desh removes ‘barriers’ for Pakistani goods, nationals  

    To make matters worse, the Yunus regime’s attempt at ‘cosying up’ with Pakistan has brought it under greater scrutiny and widespread denunciation. …reports Asian Lite News

    Bangladesh government under the leadership of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus is drawing global flak for failing miserably in stopping the genocide of Hindu minorities, reining in the Islamist forces and controlling the country’s consistent slide into the abyss.  

    To make matters worse, the Yunus regime’s attempt at ‘cosying up’ with Pakistan has brought it under greater scrutiny and widespread denunciation. 

    Two of its policy reversals, announced recently, mark a significant departure from the past. First, the Yunus regime has instructed its Customs department to exclude Pakistani shipments from ‘physical inspection’ in the hope of enhancing trade ties. Secondly, it has relaxed its policy of mandatory security clearance for Pakistani citizens seeking visas. 

    Both the policies are fraught with risk and are prone to misuse by Pakistani terrorists, drug syndicates and mafia as this may serve as a ‘conduit’ to infiltrate into the troubled nation and then put the entire Southern region into peril. 

    Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury, a noted Bangladesh journalist has raised strong concerns and apprehensions over Yunus govt’s reworked trade ties with Pakistan and also over ‘rules relaxation’ for Pak nationals. 

    “By abruptly withdrawing mandatory security clearance for Pakistani nationals and exempting Pakistani cargo from customs inspections, the Yunus regime has created an open gateway for threats to infiltrate the subcontinent,” wrote the journalist in a local daily ‘Blitz’.   

    “The calculated removal of security and customs checks serves not only to embolden Pakistani networks but also to erode India’s regional dominance and global reputation,” he wrote. 

    He has also gone ahead to make sensational and explosive charges at the US-Pakistan ‘nexus’ in bringing Bangladesh down, for their own interests. 

    Dropping a bombshell over Pak’s shipment of 30,000 kg sugar to crisis-hit Bangladesh, he said that narcotics and terrorists will be sneaked into the country which will yield another death blow to the already ‘failing’ country. 

    “A country which has no standing of its own is exporting sugar to Bangladesh. In the guise of sugar supply, it is sending a hidden consignment of cocaine amounting to 300 kg of narcotics in 30,000 kg sugar,” he said in an explosive charge. 

    He also launched an unsparing attack on the United States and its deep state for ‘conspiring’ to destroy Bangladesh in a planned manner. 

    “Behind Bangladesh’s plunge into anarchy and chaos, the US administration led by Joe Biden and its deep state is responsible. Biden government, the influential deep state including investors like George Soros have colluded with Pakistan to destabilize Bangladesh,” he underlined. 

    “The special privilege being meted out to Pakistani nationals as well as Pakistani produce in our country should be seen in this context. There is a well-coordinated approach to mislead and derail the Bangladeshi youth with drug supply, in a bid to keep the country in prolonged crisis,” he added. 

    He said that as a Bangladeshi national, he is extremely worried about the country’s downfall and also expressed fears about impending sanctions on his country after the Trump administration takes charge in the US. 

    “I sincerely believe that the new US government would act harshly on extremist regimes and Bangladesh may be one of them. I fear punitive tariffs, travel bans and sanctions on certain individuals,” he said. 

    Notably, the relaxation in ‘trade and human’ ties between Pakistan and Bangladesh comes at a time when the former itself is battling with rising extremism and radicalism. Many Muslim nations including UAE and Kuwait continue to maintain strict visa restrictions for Pakistani nationals, citing security concerns. 

    Trade dries in ICP Fulbari 

    The unrest in Bangladesh almost dried the trade in Integrated Check Post Fulbari Indo-Bangladesh border. Most of the exchange counters at the border were found empty. 

    Sanjay Ghosh, a Trader at Money Exchange Counter in Fulbari told ANI that the situation is very grim in their sector, as earlier, the Indians who went to Bangladesh were a major source of income for them. But now, they stare at a wan future. 

    “Now people don’t get visas for Bangladesh. Hence, our business is badly affected. Earlier, there was a lot of business before the Covid pandemic. After Covid, it has decreased a little. But, after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, the business has completely stopped… We want the country to be in a better condition. So, we will be better, and the people there will be better,” he said. 

    Pradeep, Singh, another money exchange business owner said, “We are in a very bad situation now. Because they are not giving us the visa. On an average, 30-40 people are coming to India these days. So you understand how our business going… The situation is very bad. We want things to be like before,” he said. 

    Saklen Ahmed, a resident of Bangladesh who came to India seeking medical treatment, told ANI that he wished that the hospital’s decision to not treat Bangladeshi patients must be revoked. 

    “My name is Saklen Ahmed. I have come to India from Bangladesh on a medical visa. And the medical treatment here is very good. In several places, like Bangalore, treatment for Bangladeshi patients has been stopped. It should not happen. I want to say that relations between Bangladesh and India should be good,” he said. 

    Tensions are currently high between Bangladesh and India. 

    Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs said that Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will make a visit to Bangladesh on December 9 and meet his counterpart there. 

    This comes amid strained ties between New Delhi and Dhaka following reports of several attacks on minorities, especially Hindus under the current interim government led by Muhammad Yunus. 

    ALSO READ: Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Yunus says country is united

  • Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Yunus says country is united

    Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Yunus says country is united

    Yunus stressed the need for unity for the sake of the nation’s interest, noting that they (who are campaigning against Bangladesh) are very powerful in terms of resources and arrangements….reports Asian Lite News

    Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus said that the entire world must know that Bangladesh remains united and all that it has achieved recently was gained through joint efforts, Dhaka Tribune reported. 

    Dhaka Tribune reported that Yunus sought suggestions from all political parties so that Bangladesh could proceed towards the right path without any errors. 

    In his opening remarks at a discussion with political parties at Foreign Service Academy, Yunus said that an imaginary story is being spread about Bangladesh which is not limited to a single country but also to other big countries. He stressed that it is important to prove the perception wrong through joint efforts and establishing the truth. 

    He said that many people do not apparently like ‘new Bangladesh’, Dhaka Tribune reported, adding that the government is open for foreigners to come and see the situation on the ground. 

    Yunus stressed the need for unity for the sake of the nation’s interest, noting that they (who are campaigning against Bangladesh) are very powerful in terms of resources and arrangements. 

    Briefing the press after the meeting, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said the key message of the meeting is that they will remain united for the sake of the country’s interest, sovereignty and existence. “We will never deviate from this,” he said. 

    Nazrul said there is no reason to think of Bangladesh as “powerless, weak and submissive” and Bangladesh will remain united against any propaganda. “We will uphold our unity,” he said, adding that the entire nation remained united against “India’s propaganda”. 

    Advisers Adilur Rahman Khan, Mahfuj Alam, and representatives from various political parties including BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami took part in the talks at the Foreign Service Academy. 

    Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, Moyeen Khan, Syed Nazrul Islam Khan, Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, and AZM Zahid Hossain were among the BNP leaders. Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur Rahman, Ganosamhati Zonayed Saki, Nagorik Oikya’s Mahmudur Rahman Manna, and Gono Odhikar Parishad’s Nurul Haque Nur and Rashed Khan also joined the meeting. 

    The statement came after Bangladesh drew major backlash from several world leaders following the arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das. 

    US Congressman Brad Sherman issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Bangladesh’s interim government to protect its Hindu minority and address the ongoing protests by Hindus and minority communities over recent attacks and harassment.  

    New banknotes not to have Mujibur Rahman’s image   

    Meanwhile, Bangladesh is set to remove the image of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of Sheikh Hasina and the iconic figure behind the founding of the country, from its currency notes.  

    According to the Dhaka Tribune, Bangladesh Bank is printing new notes, including the features of the July uprising referring to the student-led protests forcing Hasina to flee the country on August 5.  

    According to the central bank, banknotes of Taka 20, 100, 500, and 1,000 are being printed on the instructions of the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.  

    The new notes will not include the image of ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.  Religious structures, Bengali traditions and “graffiti” drawn during the July uprising will be included. The new notes are expected to be released within the next six months. 

    Initially, the design of the four notes is being changed, and the others will be redesigned in phases, said authorities.  

    The Finance Ministry’s Finance Institute Division submitted a detailed design proposal for the new notes in September. The protest against the controversial job quota system under the Hasina-led government saw attacks on the legacy of Mujibur Rahman as well. His statues and murals were targeted and damaged by the protesters.  

    Hasina in her first public address attacked Yunus and said he is involved in ‘genocide’ and killing of minorities including Hindus.  The Awami League supremo alleged that there were plans to assassinate her and her sister Sheikh Rehana just like their father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman who was murdered in 1975. 

    Hasina, who is currently in India, said that the armed protesters were directed towards Ganabhaban. “If the security guards opened fire, many lives would have been lost…I told them (guards) not to fire no matter what happened.”  

    “Today, I am being accused of genocide. In reality, Yunus has been involved in genocide in a meticulously designed manner. The masterminds—the student coordinators and Yunus—are behind this genocide,” she added. 

    After Hasina’s oustal, Bangladesh has been witnessing widespread attacks against minorities. India has expressed deep concerns over the rising incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities. 

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  • Speech Ban Targets Hasina

    Speech Ban Targets Hasina

    Ironically, the tribunal was established by the government led by Sheikh Hasina under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act…reports Asian Lite News

    Terming it as a “hate speech”, a domestic war crimes tribunal in Bangladesh on Thursday ordered that the recent remarks made by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should be removed from all social media platforms in the country with immediate effect.

    Earlier this week, while addressing an Awami League event in New York virtually, Hasina had slammed the interim government’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus for allegedly targeting Hindu temples, including ISKCON sites, and other religious places of the minorities in Bangladesh.

    “Today, I have been accused of mass killings. In reality, it is Muhammad Yunus who is responsible for mass killings through a deliberate plan along with his student coordinators. They are the masterminds,” she had asserted during her speech that went viral on social media.

    On Thursday, local media quoted International Crimes Tribunal of Bangladesh (ICT-BD) prosecutor Golam Monawar Hossain Tamim as saying that the speeches and phone conversations of Hasina that have been leaked on social and electronic media could hinder the investigation process initiated against her by the interim government.

    The tribunal, headed by Justice Md Golam Mortuza, directed the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to remove all current and previous instances of such speeches from Hasina from all platforms.

    “We will ensure that the tribunal’s order is communicated in writing to the relevant authorities of international platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube,” said Prosecutor Abdullah Al Noman who had moved a petition seeking a ban on former Bangladesh PM’s speeches.

    Ironically, the tribunal was established by the government led by Sheikh Hasina under the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act to provide for the detection, prosecution and punishment of persons responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and other crimes under International Law committed by the Pakistani Army, with the help of their local collaborators, in the territory of Bangladesh during the 1971 Liberation War.

    Last week, after the Bangladeshi authorities arrested and jailed Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote who is also associated with Iskcon Bangladesh, Hasina had strongly condemned the “tortures” inflicted on common people by the interim government in Bangladesh and called for “immediate release” of the Hindu priest.

    “A top leader of the Sanatan religious community has been unjustly arrested, he must be released immediately,” said Hasina.

    The Bangladesh Awami League (AL) president and daughter of the ‘Father of the Nation’ Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had also highlighted several incidents of persecution of members of minority communities that have been reported from across 52 districts in Bangladesh since her resignation on August 5, this year.

    “A temple has been burnt in Chittagong. Previously, mosques, shrines, churches, monasteries and houses of the Ahmadiyya community were attacked, vandalized and looted and set on fire. Religious freedom and security of life and property of people of all communities should be ensured,” she stated.

    “After the killing of innumerable Awami League leaders and workers, students and members of the law and order forces, harassment is going on through assaults and arrests. I strongly condemn and protest against these anarchist activities,” Hasina added.

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  • Gardiner raises concern over attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh 

    Gardiner raises concern over attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh 

    Labour Party MP Barry Gardiner on Monday requested for an urgent session in the UK Parliament to discuss the situation in Bangladesh and recent attacks on members of Hindu community….reports Asian Lite News

    UK MPs have raised concern over the attacks on Hindu community in Bangladesh and the arrest of religious leaders, calling the degree of escalation in the violence “deeply concerning.” Conservative MP Bob Blackman said there was an “attempt at ethnic cleansing of Hindus.” 

    Labour Party MP Barry Gardiner on Monday requested for an urgent session in the UK Parliament to discuss the situation in Bangladesh and recent attacks on members of Hindu community. 

    Informing the members of UK Parliament regarding the measures taken by the government regarding the situation in Bangladesh, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State For Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, Catherine West, recalled her visit to Bangladesh in November, where she met Bangladesh Interim government’s chief advisor Muhammad Yunus and discussed bilateral issues, including the importance of protecting religious minorities in Bangladesh. 

    West stated, “Just last month, as my hon. Friend the Member for Brent West (Barry Gardiner) is aware, I visited Bangladesh, where, as part of our programme, I met Chief Adviser Professor Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain. 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, providing up to £27 million from March 2023 to February 2028 under the Bangladesh collaborative, accountable and peaceful politics programme for protecting civic and political space,” she added. 

    She said that the Bangladesh interim government had given them assurances on Hindu community in Bangladesh. West said, “She stated that 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.” 

    She stated that UK is aware about Indian government’s concerns following the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. 

    Catherine West said, “We are aware of the statement of concern from the Indian Government following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a well-known Hindu leader, on sedition charges. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office desk is closely monitoring those developments.” 

    Chinmoy Krishna Das who is associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25. The arrest followed a complaint filed on October 31 by a local politician that accused Chinmoy Das and others of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a rally of the Hindu community. 

    In his remarks at the Parliament, Barry Gardiner said that Bangladesh has witnessed over 2000 incidents of violence since the fall of the previous government in August. 

    Gardiner stated, “Since the fall of the previous Government in August, Bangladesh has seen more than 2,000 incidents of violence, most of which have been targeted against the minority Hindu community. Hindus make up less than 10 per cent of the population of Bangladesh. As my hon. Friend will be aware, anti-Hindu violence has been a recurrent event in Bangladesh. Indeed, earlier this year, the Jamaat-e-Islami party was banned after riots in which 200 people were killed.”  

    Govt updates Bangladesh travel advisory  

    The government has warned travellers about possible terrorist attacks in Bangladesh and updated its travel advisory to reflect this caution. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) reviewed the ‘safety and security’ section of its advisory for Bangladesh on Tuesday evening. 

    The update reinforces the existing advisory discouraging “all but essential travel” to Bangladesh. “Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Bangladesh,” reads the updated FCDO travel advisory. 

    “Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by foreign nationals, such as crowded areas, religious buildings, (and) political rallies. Some groups have targeted people who they consider to have views and lifestyles contrary to Islam,” the advisory goes on. 

    “There have been occasional attacks against minority religious communities and targeting police and security forces. These have included improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in major cities. The Bangladeshi authorities continue to work to disrupt planned attacks. Increases in security force presence and restrictions on movement may be put in place at short notice,” it adds. 

    Under the “political situation” section, the advice remains that the “situation remains volatile” in the country. 

    “Political rallies and demonstrations continue to take place. These can quickly turn violent leading to clashes with law enforcement. During demonstrations and strikes (‘hartals’), there can be arson, violence and vandalism in towns and cities across the country, which can result in fatalities. Attacks against property and public transport are possible,” it reads. 

    The FCDO advisory is a guidance on travel rather than a government-imposed regulation and could lead to travel insurance being invalidated if that advice is overlooked. 

    The update follows a series of parliamentary interventions by cross-party members of Parliament, raising concerns over recent attacks on the minority Hindu community there and the arrest of religious leaders in Bangladesh. 

    “We are aware of the statement of concern from the Indian government following the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a well-known Hindu leader, on sedition charges. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) desk is closely monitoring those developments,” Catherine West, Minister for the Indo-Pacific told the House of Commons on Monday. 

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  • US Calls for Hindu Minority Safety

    US Calls for Hindu Minority Safety

    On the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, MEA said as far as cases against individuals were concerned, India took note of the legal processes that are underway….reports Asian Lite News

    An influential US lawmaker has said the interim Bangladeshi government led by Muhammad Yunus has an absolute obligation to protect the minority Hindu community in the country after the fall of the democratically-elected Sheikh Hasina-led government earlier this year.

    “Bangladesh’s interim government has an absolute obligation to protect its Hindu minority and meaningfully address the protests of thousands of minority Hindus in outcry over the recent wave of attacks and harassment,” Congressman Brad Sherman said on Tuesday in a statement.

    “With the calls for an investigation from the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk for killings and other rights violations during the violent unrest leading up to and after the fall of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the current administration must demonstrate leadership in eliminating acts of violence against the Hindu community,” Sherman said.

    Over the weekend, Hindus from Bangladesh organised a rally at the White House demanding the release of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das and protection for Hindus of Bangladesh.

    Utsav Chakrabarti, executive director of HinduACTion called on the outgoing Biden-Harris administration to take all possible measures to prevent further escalation of violence by radical Islamists against the Hindus in Bangladesh.

    “Based on the feedback we are getting from #Bangladesh, Hindu monk and civil rights defender Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who has been incarcerated by the interim government, faces a serious threat to his life, in custody,” he said.

    Responding to written questions in Lok Sabha about violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar said the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was closely monitoring the situation. He reiterated that the primary responsibility for the safety of minorities in Bangladesh lies with the interim government in the neighbouring country.

    “Our position on the matter is clear — the interim government in Dhaka must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities. We are concerned at the surge of extremist rhetoric, and increasing incidents of violence and provocation. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggeration,” Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

    While expressing concern over extremist rhetoric, MEA also called for a “fair, just and transparent legal process” in the case of religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on sedition charges.

    Amid calls in Dhaka for a ban on ISKCON, with which Das was associated earlier, the Indian government also threw in its lot with the group as MEA Spokesperson Jaiswal said that the group is a “globally well-regarded organisation with a strong record of social service”.

    On the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, MEA said as far as cases against individuals were concerned, India took note of the legal processes that are underway.

    “We expect that these processes will deal with the case in a just, fair, and transparent manner, ensuring full respect for the legal rights of all concerned.”

    In Lok Sabha, EAM Jaishankar said the Indian government has seen several reports of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, their homes and business establishments, and of attacks on temples and religious places, including in August 2024, across Bangladesh.

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  • India beefs up security at Bangladesh missions in country 

    India beefs up security at Bangladesh missions in country 

    Last week, during the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Bangladesh’s interim government to take steps to protect minorities….reports Asian Lite News

    India on Monday decided to step up security arrangements for the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and its other diplomatic premises in the country following an incident earlier in the day involving the breach of Bangladesh Assistant High Commission premises in Agartala. 

    In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “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.” 

    The MEA added, “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.” 

    Last week, during the weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Bangladesh’s interim government to take steps to protect minorities. 

    Expressing concern over the rise of “extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence and provocation,” the MEA said on Friday that India has consistently and strongly raised the issue of targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities with the Bangladesh government. 

    On the situation of minorities in Bangladesh, Jaiswal had said, “India has consistently and strongly raised with the Bangladesh government the threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities. We made our position very clear as far as the situation of Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh is concerned. The interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities.” 

    “We are concerned about the surge of extremist rhetoric, and increasing incidents of violence and provocation. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for the protection of minorities and safeguarding their interests,” he had added. 

    Notably, Bangladesh has witnessed a surge in violent attacks against Hindus and other minority groups, prompting calls for greater protection and support. 

    The situation in Bangladesh has been marked by increasing violence against minority communities, with temples, being destroyed after the arrest of a former priest Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges and for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong on October 25. 

    Tensions escalated further after a lawyer was killed during clashes between police and alleged followers of Das in the Chattogram Court Building area on November 27. (ANI) 

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