New Delhi: Amid reports of attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh, the country’s Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Monday assured that communal harmony will be protected at any cost.
The Home Minister claimed that the violence was aimed at creating unrest in the country keeping in mind the next general elections.
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Speaking to news agency PTI over phone, Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said that an investigation is being conducted to nab the culprits involved in “inciting violence” in his country.
He did not rule out “involvement of BNP-Jamaat elements” behind the attacks.
“We have taken strong action to deal with the situation. An investigation is underway; No guilty will be spared. I want to assure you that the communal harmony of our country will be protected at any cost. Both minority and majority community are citizens of this country and will be protected,” the home minister said.
He insisted that Bangladesh would not allow the firefighters to succeed.
“These incidents are aimed at tarnishing the image of our country and creating tension in view of the general elections. But we will not allow these forces to succeed.”
The remarks come as Bangladesh is likely to hold elections in late 2023.
Violence erupted in parts of Bangladesh over an alleged incident of blasphemy at a Durga Puja pavilion in Kumila, about 100 km from Dhaka, following which paramilitary forces were deployed in several affected areas.
According to media reports, there were sporadic clashes between the police and notorious elements over vandalism of Hindu temples and places of Durga Puja.
At least five people were killed and several others were injured in the clashes, PTI reported.
Khan further said that hundreds of people have been arrested and added that four rioters have also been shot dead by the police.
“No peace loving and pious Hindu or Muslim will ever indulge in violence. We are not ruling out the involvement of BNP-Jamaat or any third force. They may be behind those attacks to stop the progress of our country. It could also be aimed at disturbing the peace before the next election.
The home minister said: “We had asked the puja committees in Kamila to install CCTV cameras in the pandals and deploy volunteers to keep a watch. But that was not done…” while expressing hope about the ongoing investigation.
Addressing India’s concerns over the security of minorities in Bangladesh, Asaduzzaman Khan stressed that the government is dealing with the situation effectively and hoped for progress in the investigation soon.
“We feel there is no need to be concerned about minorities here as we are dealing with the situation effectively and doing everything possible to protect them. Such attacks on minorities are happening in other countries as well.
Meanwhile, he also said that he does not believe that the attacks are related to the renewed rise of radical forces promoted by the establishment of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
“It has nothing to do with the rise of the Taliban. Afghanistan is a thousand miles away from Bangladesh and the people of our country do not care about it.
Talking about the attacks, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said last week that action would be taken against those trying to “disturb communal harmony”.
He assured that the culprits would be caught and punished.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the Bangladesh government reacted promptly to ensure that the situation was under control and added that the Indian mission was in close contact with the authorities there in the matter.
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