Violent protests and clashes, after the arrest of Chinmoy Das, a Hindu monk and leader of one of the newer minority rights groups, that led to a lawyer dying at a Chittagong court are clear proof, if any was needed, that the law and order situation in Bangladesh remains precarious. The protests, by thousands from the group representing ‘Sanatani Hindus’ (called the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagran Jote), have a key demand — that the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government secures the safety of the country’s 20-million strong religious minorities — Hindus, Christians and Buddhists — who have been targeted by Islamist majoritarian mobs. In more than 2,000 documented acts of violence, at least nine minority members have been killed, ostensibly in protests targeting supporters of Ms. Hasina’s Awami League party; there is a visible communal angle too. Mr. Das, who has also been associated with the Bangladesh chapter of the ISKCON, highlighted an eight-point list of demands. These include speedy trials for cases of minority persecution; a minority protection law and a minority affairs ministry, and five-day public holidays for Durga Puja. The government has not responded so far although Mr. Yunus has met with minority representatives and visited the Dhakeshwari temple. Instead, it would seem that Bangladesh forces have been empowered to crack down on all such protests, even if lawful and peaceful. The case against Mr. Das pertains to a group of Hindus who raised saffron flags, allegedly holding them higher than the Bangladesh national flag. The political activist who filed the case of sedition has since been expelled from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, fuelling suspicions that action on the case was unwarranted. In such a charged environment, the summary arrest and custody of a senior religious figure will only ignite communal tensions.
The actions, as well as a move to push a ban of the ISKCON group through the courts, are also fuelling criticism of the Yunus government. New Delhi has been consistently vocal in asking Bangladesh to protect its minorities, and to refrain from such heavy-handed treatment of a revered figure. However, due to the Modi’s government’s tense ties with the Yunus regime, these calls have not made much headway. In a stern pushback, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry expressed “dismay and hurt” at India’s statements, accusing India of “misrepresenting” the situation. The Bangladeshi government also defended the “specific charges” against Mr. Das. If New Delhi wishes to ensure that minorities feel more secure in Bangladesh, it must attempt reopening bilateral channels of communication. India must recognise that its voice will only be respected if it is able to ensure protections and freedoms to all citizens in exactly the measure it advocates abroad, particularly in the immediate neighbourhood, where the risk of religious majoritarianism runs high.
