Tens of thousands of Hindus in Bangladesh took to the streets on Friday, protesting a wave of attacks and harassment against their community. The protests, which come amidst a political upheaval following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, highlight growing concerns about the safety and rights of minority groups in the country.
Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain acknowledged that violence has occurred against minorities in the country, but contested the assertion that it solely targets Hindus. He urged Indian media to reconsider its coverage, asserting that the government is committed to the safety of all citizens.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a scathing attack on the Trinamool Congress (TMC) during a public rally in Bardhaman-Durgapur, West Bengal. He claimed that the TMC has made Hindus second-class citizens in the state and alleged that the party is shielding Shahjahan Sheikh in the Sandeshkhali case for appeasement. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Congress have also criticized the Modi government, accusing it of marginalizing the SCs, STs, and OBCs and threatening West Bengal’s industrial wealth.
