Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray on Friday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi over inaction in the matter of protection of Hindus in Bangladesh and said he should inform Parliament about the steps the Indian government is taking to mitigate the issue.
Addressing a news conference in Mumbai, Thackeray slammed the BJP, saying its Hindutva is only for votes. His comments came in the backdrop of the ongoing communal flare-up in Bangladesh following the arrest of popular Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.
Das was arrested under sedition charges over the hoisting of a saffron flag and highlighting the selective targeting of minorities in Bangladesh. He has been a vocal advocate for the rights of Hindus in the country.
What did Uddhav Thackeray say?
Highlighting the incidents of temple vandalism in Bangladesh, the Shiv Sena (UBT) supremo said, "Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is safe in India, but what about Hindus in the neighbouring country?"
"PM Modi should inform Parliament about steps India is taking to protect Hindus in Bangladesh," Thackerayfurther added.
Reiterating the Russia-Ukraine war context, Thackeray said if the PM stopped that war, he should also stop atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh acknowledges attacks on Hindus
Targeting of Hindus has been taking the shape of a pressing issue since the interim government of Muhammad Yunus took charge in early August and India has repeatedly expressed concern over the matters.
The neighbouring nation on Tuesday acknowledged 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities, primarily Hindus, following the ouster of then-premier Sheikh Hasina in August.
Interim government head Muhammad Yunus’ press secretary Shafiqul Alam also said that 70 people have been arrested in those incidents.
He made the disclosure a day after Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri flagged regrettable incidents of attacks on minorities and conveyed India's concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities, during his meetings with the Bangladeshi leadership.
A total of 88 cases have been filed in incidents related to minorities from August 5 to October 22, Alam told reporters.
"The number of cases and arrests is likely to increase as new incidents of violence have also been reported in (northeastern Sunamganj, (central) Gazipur, and other areas," he said.
