Amidst growing concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, the country’s Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md. Touhid Hossain, has offered assurances of the interim government’s commitment to protecting its citizens. Speaking to reporters in New York during the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), Hossain addressed the recent reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
He acknowledged that some incidents of violence have occurred, but he emphasized that these incidents should not be solely attributed to attacks on Hindus. Hossain criticized what he perceived as an exaggeration of the situation by some sections of the Indian media, stating that the interim government is dedicated to safeguarding all its citizens, including the Hindu community.
Hossain’s remarks come following a recent meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the UNGA 79. This meeting marks the first bilateral engagement between the two countries since a large-scale student protest led to the departure of the former Sheikh Hasina government.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, arrived in the US to attend the UNGA session. His arrival, however, was met with protests from individuals who alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Protestors outside his hotel in New York chanted slogans demanding his departure, while also expressing support for the former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina.
