No Hindu was attacked due to religious bias in the Bangladeshi agitation : Bangladesh Govt

• Bangladesh’s Interim Government Foreign Affairs Advisor Mohammed Touhid Hossain states

• Also stated that Awami League supporters were attacked

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – “Immediately after the departure of Sheikh Hasina, there was a vacuum in the administration and there was a problem of policing because the Police had been placed against the youth. So, when Sheikh Hasina departed, there was tension and the sentiments ran very high, due to which, some incidents (of attack) happened; but putting it as anti-Hindu agitation or anti-Hindu action, would be utterly wrong. The violence did take place against mostly Awami League loyalists,” explained Mohammed Touhid Hossain, the Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, as he attempted to clarify the attacks on minority Hindus in the country.

‘Bangladeshi Hindu: ‘No attacks happened on anyone just for being Hindu during the protests in Bangladesh!’ – Interim Government’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain

He also claimed that supporters of the Awami League were attacked.

Hossain claimed that it is wrong to… pic.twitter.com/i3c1QmQWjy

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) October 1, 2024

He added that, “Violence occurred during the agitation, but it was not based on whether someone was Hindu or Muslim. In fact, more attacks were carried out against Muslims than Hindus at that time.”

Durga Puja festival to be celebrated in Bangladesh

When asked whether the Durga Puja festival will be celebrated in the country, Mohammad Touhid Hossain asserted that, “This is quite strange. There could be a fringe that may not like Durga Puja. Durga Puja has been performed in this country for ages and there have been no instances where Durga Puja was not held. Those who wish to celebrate Durga Puja can certainly do so.”

India-Bangladesh must have good working relations

Speaking about India-Bangladesh relations, Mohammed Touhid Hossain said, “Both countries must have good working relations. I had a meeting with India’s Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar in New York, where we discussed various ongoing matters between the two countries. The issue of Sheikh Hasina was not discussed with him. Trade between the two countries is continuing. There was some disruption, but now trade between the two nations is gaining momentum again. Both countries have mutual interests. However, the Indian visa centres have not become fully operational yet, but that is entirely up to the Indian Government.”

Claiming that US is behind the agitation in Bangladesh is wrong

Former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had accused the US of plotting to overthrow her Government. When asked about this, Mohammed Touhid Hossain said, “Calling the transfer of power a conspiracy, undermines the sacrifices of the youth. Students and other young people laid down their lives to turn an autocratic regime into a democratic and inclusive one. It was because of the sacrifices of the youth, that the Government was overthrown, and Sheikh Hasina had to resign and flee the country. This was a spontaneous agitation.”

Editorial Perspective

If there were no attacks on Hindus due to religious bias, then why are attacks on Hindus happening both before and after the agitation ? Why are Hindus being stopped from celebrating Durga Puja ? Why are the idols of Deities being vandalised ? Why doesn’t the Government announce that it will protect the Hindus and compensate them for the damages ?