Police clash with Muslim devotees during a protest against alleged insults to Islam outside the country’s main Baitul Mukarram mosque in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
With reports of attacks on minority Hindus pouring in from Bangladesh, its Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal on Monday assured that communal harmony in his country will be protected at any cost. He claimed that the violence was aimed at creating trouble in his country keeping in mind the next general election.
The neighboring country is likely to hold elections in late 2023.
Speaking to PTI over phone, Khan Kamal said that an investigation is underway to nab the culprits involved in “inciting violence” in his country.
He also 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 culprit will be spared. I want to assure you that the communal harmony of our country will be protected at any cost. Minorities and majority The communities are both citizens of this country and they will be protected,” Khan Kamal said.
The minister insisted that Bangladesh would not allow the firefighters to succeed in their mission.
“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,” he said.
Violence erupted in parts of Bangladesh over an alleged blasphemy incident at a Durga Puja pavilion in Kumila, about 100 km from Dhaka, following which paramilitary forces were deployed in several affected areas.
However, there were sporadic clashes between the police and the extremists, as the media reported vandalism in Hindu temples and places of Durga Puja.
At least five people were killed and several others were injured in the clashes.
Noting that hundreds of people have been arrested, Khan Kamal further said 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 forces. They could be behind those attacks to stop the progress of our country It may also be aimed at disturbing the peace before the next election.”
Expressing optimism over the ongoing investigation, the Home Minister further said, “We had asked the puja committees in Kamila to install CCTV cameras in the pandals and deploy volunteers to keep vigil. But this was not done…”
Allaying India’s concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, Khan Kamal said the government was dealing with the situation effectively and expected progress in the investigation soon.
He said, “We feel that there is no need to be worried about minorities here as we are dealing with the situation effectively and doing everything possible to protect them. Such attacks on minorities are not possible in other countries. I’m also happening.”
Asked whether the attacks were related to the renewed rise of radical forces fueled by the establishment of the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, Kamal replied in the negative.
“It has nothing to do with the rise of the Taliban. Afghanistan is a thousand miles away from Bangladesh and it doesn’t matter to the people of our country,” he said.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said last week that those trying to “disturb communal harmony” would be punished again.
He also said that the culprits will be found and punished.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has noted that the government in the neighboring country has reacted quickly to keep the situation under control and said that the Indian mission is in close contact with Bangladeshi authorities on the matter.
Read also: Bangladesh: ISKCON members perform kirtan by candlelight, protest against attack on devotees
.