Indian Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has said it would not be appropriate to talk too much about the situation in Bangladesh as the matter does not concern India.
Tharoor expressed concern over the unrest in Bangladesh following the arrest of former Iskcon leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.
He also said the Indian External Affairs Committee, headed by him, has called a meeting on the situation in Bangladesh on 11 December, reports Ani News.
“…If the [Indian] government has something to say on behalf of the foreign ministry, it would be good if [External Affairs Minister] S Jaishankar comes to parliament and tells us. We have called a meeting to know the details about Bangladesh. We are concerned about whatever is going on in Bangladesh…All minorities should get democratic rights in their country,” he said.
“But it would not be appropriate to talk too much as this matter does not concern our country,” Shashi Tharoor added.
The High Commission of India in Dhaka continues to monitor the situation related to the minorities in Bangladesh closely, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said yesterday.
The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the government of Bangladesh, he said while responding to questions at the Indian Lok Sabha.
On 26 November, Saiful Islam Alif, an assistant public prosecutor, was killed after he failed to escape armed individuals who chased him and a few other lawyers when they took part in a march protesting the attack and vandalism on Chattogram court premises.
The vandalism started after the Chittagong Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court Judge Kazi Shariful Islam denied the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former Iskcon Bangladesh leader, on sedition charges.
After the bail denial, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, terming the matter a cause for “deep concern” and urged Bangladesh to protect Hindus and other minorities.
“We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatan Jagran Jote.
This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh… We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” the Indian statement read.
Chinmoy was detained by police from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on 25 November for allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag by hoisting a saffron flag above it at a rally organised by the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha in Chattogram city.
