Mamata Banerjee calls for UN peacekeeping force in Bangladesh and appeals to PM Modi for intervention
The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, has appealed for immediate intervention in Bangladesh amid the intensified civil war there. She has appealed for a UN peacekeeping force to be deployed immediately. " She issued her appeal amid rising religious violence against religious minorities, especially Hindus in the country. It's alleged that at least three ISKCON priests have been detained.
Speaking to the Bengal Assembly, Banerjee expressed grave concern with the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh, especially in recent incidents where priests from ISKCON have been arrested. The months of civil unrest culminate into various episodes of violence against the Hindu community at large. "We cannot tolerate such attacks on our people in Bangladesh," Banerjee said, appealing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and take it up with the United Nations.
The Bengal CM said India must not hesitate to help her neighbors in distress, recalling when Bangladeshis were treated nicely in similar situations. "We have a responsibility to our people," she said, highlighting the need to protect the interests of those with familial ties in Bangladesh.
Modi's government has also conveyed its serious concerns over the deteriorating situation. Recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with the prime minister to discuss increasing violence and, in that regard urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety of minorities. The Indian government has been very closely monitoring the developments. Indian High Commission in Dhaka keeps track of developments.
The violence in Bangladesh, which has escalated since August, saw the military take over after a student-led rebellion ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and an interim government was established. Reports of attacks on Hindu temples and growing extremist rhetoric have alarmed Indians, largely due to these attacks endangering the safety of India's minority populations in Bangladesh.
Though Bangladesh claimed the ISKCON priests were arrested for misinterpreting facts, the situation continued to intensify. Calls to provide strong legal protection for religious minorities continue while seeking the creation of a specific ministry of minority affairs in Bangladesh by the Indian government.
Since the situation is fluid, the appeal by Mamata Banerjee to the United Nations brings the international aspect into the unfolding crisis and points to India's deep concern about its citizens' and religious minorities' protection on the other side of the border.
