- By Nidhi Giri
- Sat, 30 Nov 2024 04:32 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Hindu bodies in India have come down heavily on Yunus government as tensions over atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh escalate. The crackdown on the minority community has intensified with more vandalisation of temples and freezing of bank accounts of ISKCON-related persons. On Friday, an unprovoked mob vandalised three Hindu temples in Chattogram and shouted anti-Hindu and anti-ISKCON slogans. The three temples that were a target of the attack included Shantaneshwari Matri Temple, Shoni Temple, and Shantaneshwari Kalibari Temple.
A mob of several hundred people shouted slogans and threw brickbats at the temples which damaged the Shoni Temple and the gates of the other two temples, according to the temple authorities, as per the local media reports.
The situation between the Bangladesh government and ISKCON continues to worsen since the arrest of ISKCON Bangladesh priest, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari on November 15, over sedition charges, which has led to protests and unrest in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Action On ISKCON
The local authorities have ordered to freeze the bank accounts for 30 days of 17 people linked to ISKCON, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, local media reported.
The stringent move comes after a Bangladeshi High Court dismissed a petition seeking a ban on ISKCON after a lawyer was killed in the protest by the Hindu community against Das’s arrest.
The order to freeze the bank accounts was issued by Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU) to various banks and financial institutions on Thursday, according to newspaper Prothom Alo.
“All types of transactions in the bank accounts of these individuals will remain suspended for 30 days," the BFIU order said.
VHP Protests Against Bangladesh
Members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal staged protest on Friday against Krishna Das’ arrest in Bangladesh and demanded the protection of Hindus in the Muslim-majority country. A VHP leader said that a conspiracy is being done to drag Hindus out of Bangladesh and urged the government to release Das.
Another VHP leader slammed the Bangladeshi government while also seeking a United Nations intervention on the matter. He urged the Indian government to take actions to protect the Hindu minorities.
RSS Issues Statement On Bangladesh Situation
In a statement on Saturday, RSS, the BJP’s ideological parent, condemned the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh by Islamic extremists stating that the current Yunus administration and agencies have remained “mere spectators" and failed to take any action against the atrocities.
“The situation has escalated further, as Hindus in Bangladesh, compelled to raise their voices democratically for self-defense, are now being subjected to a new wave of injustices and atrocities," it said.
The RSS termed the arrest of Krishna Das “unjust" and urged the government to immediately release him and also ensure protection of Hindus.
“The RSS also appeals to the Government of India to continue its efforts to prevent atrocities against Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh by all possible means. Furthermore, it should take necessary steps at the earliest to build global consensus and support in this regard," RSS said.
Indian Govt Raises Concerns For Hindus In Bangladesh
India on Friday urged the interim government of Bangladesh to fulfill its responsibility of safeguarding all minorities, expressing deep concern over the growing wave of extremist rhetoric and the rising incidents of violence in the neighboring country.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised that India has consistently and unequivocally raised concerns with the Bangladeshi authorities regarding the threats and targeted attacks faced by Hindus and other minority communities.
Bangladesh Responds To India’s Concerns
Bangladesh on Friday responded to India’s concerns claiming that India followed “double standards" on the protection of minorities.
Bangladesh interim government’s Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul said in a Facebook post that India’s “unwarranted" concern for Bangladesh continued.
“In India, numerous incidents of brutality on minority Muslim community are going on. But they don’t have any remorse or embarrassment (over those incidents). This double standard of India is condemnable and objectionable," Nazrul wrote.