NEW DELHI, Dec 3: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed serious concern over the ongoing atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, highlighting the issue in both diplomatic talks with the Bangladeshi government and at international forums. Sources from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) revealed that Modi is deeply troubled by the situation and has directly raised the matter with global leaders, including President of the United States.

In a telephone conversation with the US President, both leaders emphasized the urgency of restoring normalcy in Bangladesh. They agreed that the interim government in Bangladesh should prioritize the safety and security of the country’s minority populations, particularly Hindus. The Prime Minister also spoke with Md Yunus, the head of Bangladesh’s interim government, as soon as the administration took over. Modi expressed concerns about the safety of minorities, and Yunus assured that measures would be taken to protect them. However, incidents of violence against Hindus have continued unabated, and the situation worsened following the arrest of an ISKCON leader in Bangladesh.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has also urged the Bangladeshi government to ensure the protection of Hindus and other minority communities, including safeguarding their religious places of worship. Since the ousting of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government, the minority communities in Bangladesh have faced increasing challenges, despite some protection efforts under Hasina’s administration.

Historically, the Hindu population in Bangladesh has seen a significant decline, dropping from around 30 percent during the partition of East Pakistan to just 7.95 percent today. The situation continues to deteriorate under the current caretaker government led by Md Yunus, a Nobel laureate, with incidents of attacks on Hindus occurring regularly. The issue of minority protection in Bangladesh remains a contentious and ongoing concern for India, which continues to press the international community and Bangladesh for concrete actions to protect its citizens.