New Delhi: India has strongly condemned the recent attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh's Chittagong district, which led to the looting of properties and business establishments following inflammatory social media posts targeting Hindu religious organisations.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal expressed concern over the escalation of violence and emphasized that such actions could fuel communal tensions. "We have observed that there have been attacks on the Hindu community in Chittagong. Their properties have been looted and business establishments destroyed," Jaiswal said adding, "These incidents followed incendiary posts on social media aimed at Hindu religious organisations".
The attacks were reportedly triggered by a Facebook post criticising ISKCON, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. According to reports, a local youth, Osman, posted on Facebook calling for banning ISKCON. This ignited tensions in the area, leading to a clash between the Hindu community and law enforcement.
The situation escalated to a point where the police and Army conducted an operation on Tuesday night in the Hazari Goly area. The operation resulted in the arrest of around 100 individuals, with some being released after questioning.
During the operation, blank shots were fired, and there were reports of an acid-like substance being thrown at law enforcement officers. The incident occurred amid a power outage, making it difficult to ascertain all the details of the operation.
A leader from the Hindu community in Chittagong confirmed that these tensions were further exacerbated by the social media posts and the violent response from extremist groups.
In his statement, Jaiswal urged the Bangladesh government to take immediate action against the extremist elements responsible for the violence. "It is understood that extremist elements are behind such posts and the resulting illegal criminal activities. This will only create further tensions in the community," he warned.
India called on Bangladesh to ensure the safety of its Hindu citizens and to take strong measures to combat the rise of extremism. The ongoing violence in Chittagong is a reminder of the fragile communal harmony in Bangladesh, which has seen periodic clashes between religious groups. The situation underscores the need for stronger safeguards to protect minority communities, particularly in regions where tensions run high.
Apart from condemning the violence in Bangladesh, Jaiswal also addressed India’s stance on developments in Myanmar, which has been a cause of concern for neighboring countries. "As an important neighboring country, developments in Myanmar are naturally of interest to India," Jaiswal said.
He reiterated India's commitment to promoting "democracy, peace, and stability" in Myanmar, emphasising India's continued support for a Myanmar-led solution to the country’s ongoing challenges. India has been engaging with various stakeholders in Myanmar through academic and diplomatic interactions, including a recent workshop organised by the Indian Council for World Affairs in early November.
These efforts are seen as part of India’s broader strategy to encourage dialogue and stability in Myanmar, in line with its values of democracy and constitutionalism. As tensions rise in Bangladesh and Myanmar, India remains focused on addressing regional security concerns and advocating for peaceful, democratic solutions.
The situation in Chittagong is a reminder of the complex geopolitical dynamics in South Asia and the importance of cooperation between neighboring nations to maintain peace and stability.
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