The protests by Hindus in Bangladesh are attracting attention in the UK Parliament after an ISKCON priest was arrested. Labour MP Barry Gardiner raised the issue in the House of Commons, voicing worries about the attacks on Hindu people in Bangladesh, which is mostly Muslim.
Catherine West, a UK Foreign Office Minister, said she spoke with the interim leader of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, who assured her that help is available for minority groups. She mentioned that the UK government is watching the situation closely and will talk to the Bangladeshi government about the importance of religious freedom, especially for Hindus.
MPs expressed their concerns about the increasing violence against Hindus. Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said the violence is “deeply concerning.” Bob Blackman, who leads the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus, pointed out that Hindus are having their homes burned and businesses attacked.
British Sikh MP Gurinder Singh Josan said all communities are “appalled” by the situation and asked Minister West about how she is cooperating with Hindu and Bangladeshi communities regarding this issue.
So, what’s happening in Bangladesh? Tensions have been rising since August 5, when former prime minister Sheikh Hasina left for India after being removed from her position. The recent arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das worsened the situation. Reports state that the Hindu community in Bangladesh has faced many attacks during protests against the Awami League-led government concerning job quotas.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on sedition charges, but couldn’t get bail because no lawyer was available to represent him. In response to his arrest, Hindu groups protested in India, and some even entered the Bangladeshi consulate in Tripura.
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