An ‘urgent’ issue was presented in the House of Commons of the British Parliament today regarding the worrying situation in Bangladesh. Parliament members expressed concern over recent attacks on Hindu minorities in the South Asian nation and also discussed a religious crackdown on Hindu monks by the interim government in the country.
Labor Party MP Barry Gardiner on Monday demanded an urgent session of the British Parliament to discuss the situation in Bangladesh, which is being closely monitored by London.
Briefing the House on the initiatives taken by Britain so far, Foreign Office charge d’affaires for the Indo-Pacific region, Catherine West, said she had visited Bangladesh last month and held meetings with the leadership of the interim government in the country. He said Britain was one of the first countries to raise the issue with Dhaka and Bangladesh’s chief advisor Mohammad Yunus had given him verbal assurance.
Ms West also noted the concerns raised by New Delhi over events taking place in Bangladesh. “We are aware of the Government of India’s statement with concern following the arrest of prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on treason charges. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) desk is closely following those developments.” ” Ms. West said.
He further said that “The UK Government will continue to monitor the situation, including through representations from this House, and will engage with the Interim Government in Bangladesh on the importance of freedom of religion or belief, particularly as it affects the Hindu community.”
Conservative MP Priti Patel, who is shadow secretary of state for foreign affairs, described the situation in Bangladesh as “deeply, deeply worrying”.
Referring to the increase in incidents of violence, vandalism and desecration targeting Hindu minorities, Ms Patel said, “The degree of increase in violence is extremely worrying. What we are seeing now is uncontrolled violence in many areas. We are horrified. We are watching and are shocked by the further spread of violence in Bangladesh. The sympathies of all of us in the House are with the migrant community here and the affected people in Bangladesh.
I am deeply concerned by the terrible violence we have seen in Bangladesh and my thoughts are with those affected.
In Parliament this afternoon, I urged the Government to explain how they are engaging with the Bangladeshi Government on this important and pressing issue.… pic.twitter.com/jRXciBQIKH
– Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) 2 December 2024
He asked the British government to investigate what is being done about the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu priest arrested in Bangladesh. “We have a religion
The leader who has now been arrested. We need to effectively know what is being done to ensure his release, especially due process. But also, can the Minister give details of the Government’s engagement with Bangladesh on this particular matter. What discussions have taken place so far, and have we been strong in advancing the right to life, prevention of violence and persecution and importantly tolerance of religious belief.”
Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent West in London, where there is a large British Hindu population, described the situation as “clearly on a knife’s edge”.
Another MP, Bob Blackman, who chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus, said, “Hindus are suffering from having their homes burned and their businesses vandalized. Priests have been arrested, and I understand I am informed that two more people have been arrested in this case.” over the weekend, and 63 monks have been denied entry to the country. The clear issue is an attempt at ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Bangladesh, we not only want to hear words of piety but also want to fully condemn what is happening as they are being deliberately persecuted because of their religion.”
Since Sheikh Hasina was forced to step down as prime minister, the new military-backed interim administration led by Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus has faced criticism for failing to control violence against minorities. . This includes incidents of vandalism and desecration of temples, damage to Hindu businesses and properties, and attacks on homes of Hindus.
