India expects B'desh to probe minority attacks, punish culprits: Centre to RS

New Delhi, Jan 29: India continues to monitor reports of incidents of attacks against minorities in Bangladesh and New Delhi has "consistently raised" the issue with the authorities in Dhaka, the government informed Rajya Sabha, on Thursday.

In a written response to a query, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh also said India expects the interim government of Bangladesh to discharge its responsibilities by "thoroughly investigating" these incidents and "bring all perpetrators of killings, arson and violence against minorities to justice without excuses".

CPI(M) member John Brittas asked the Ministry of External Affairs whether the government has taken cognisance of reports of attacks, killings, arson and intimidation targeting minorities in Bangladesh.

"The government of India continues to monitor reports of incidents of attacks against minorities in Bangladesh, including on their homes, properties, businesses and places of worship. India has consistently raised the matter of safety and security of the minorities with the authorities in Bangladesh, at both political and diplomatic levels on several occasions," Singh said in his response.

"The issue was raised by the Prime Minister during his meeting with Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on April 4, 2025, and by the External Affairs Minister during his meeting with Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain on February 16, 2025," he said.

The issue has also been discussed during relevant discussions with other foreign interlocutors, the minister said.

"The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the government of Bangladesh," Singh said.

In another query, the MEA was asked how the Indian government looks at the recent statement made by the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh over the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh.

"The troubling tendency by the Interim Government to attribute attacks on minorities to personal rivalries, political differences, or other extraneous reasons only emboldens the extremists and the perpetrators of such crimes, and deepens the sense of fear and insecurity among the minorities," Singh said.

India's concerns and sensitivities with regard to incidents related to minorities have been "clearly conveyed" to the government of Bangladesh, including at the highest political levels, he said.

PTI