We hope that the caretaker government of Bangladesh will take decisive steps to instill confidence in minorities: Congress

The Congress on Saturday expressed concern over reports of deliberate attacks on minorities and their places of worship in Bangladesh and expressed hope that the caretaker government would take decisive steps to ensure that minorities continue to live in an atmosphere of security, dignity and harmony.

Bangladesh’s acting leader Muhammad Yunus has condemned attacks on minorities in the violence-hit country as “heinous” and urged youth to protect all Hindu, Christian and Buddhist families from harm.

Congress general secretary in charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said, “While noting that influential voices have emerged in Bangladesh calling for the preservation of the country’s multi-religious heritage, the Indian National Congress is concerned about reports of targeted attacks on minorities, their property and places of worship.”“The Indian National Congress hopes that the Interim Government in Bangladesh will take decisive steps to instill confidence in the minority communities and ensure that they continue to lead their lives in an atmosphere of security, dignity and harmony,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

The BJP on Friday criticised opposition parties, saying their “silence” on the situation of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh was unfortunate.

Extending best wishes to Yunus on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed hope for a speedy return to normalcy and emphasised the need to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minorities in the country.

According to two Hindu organizations in the country – the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad – there have been at least 205 attacks on members of ethnic minorities in 52 districts since the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina on August 5.

Thousands of Hindus from Bangladesh have tried to flee to neighbouring India to escape the violence.

Yunus unequivocally condemned attacks on minorities in the country and called on students to protect all Hindu, Christian and Buddhist families from harm.

“Are they not the people of this country? You managed to save the country; can’t you save some families? … You have to say that no one can harm them. They are my brothers; we fought together and we will remain together,” he said, emphasizing the need for national unity.

(This story has not been edited by News18 team and is published from a PTI news agency feed)