India closely monitoring situation related to minorities in Bangladesh: Jaishankar tells Lok Sabha

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has said the High Commission of India in Dhaka continues to monitor the situation related to the minorities in Bangladesh closely.

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 five specific questions at the Indian Lok Sabha on Friday.

The Lok Sabha is composed of public representatives chosen by direct election on the basis of Universal Adult Suffrage.

Jaishankar said the government of India has seen several reports of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, their homes and business establishments and of attacks on temples/ religious places, including in the month of August 2024, across Bangladesh.

He said the Indian government has taken a "serious note" of these incidents and shared its concerns with the Bangladesh government.

Reports of attacks on temples and puja mandaps also came to light during the recent Durga Puja festival in Bangladesh, Jaishankar said.

He said the government of India had expressed its "serious concerns" regarding the attack on a Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and theft at the Jashoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira during Durga Puja 2024.

Following these attacks, the government of Bangladesh had issued instructions for providing special security including deployment of Army and BGB to ensure peaceful celebrations of Durga Puja, Jaishankar said.