Attacks on Minorities in Bangladesh Widespread: Jaishankar
EAM S Jaishankar in the Lok Sabha on Friday (Image credit Sansad TV)
Govt in Pakistan has Fanatical Mindset: Jaishankar
By TRH News Desk
New Delhi, March 28: Union Minister for External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Friday told the Lok Sabha that attacks on minorities in Bangladesh are widespread. Jaishankar also said that the government in Bangladesh has a fanatical mindset.
“There were over two thousand cases of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh last year. There are more than 70 cases of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh this year so far,” said Jaishankar.
The Minister said that “the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh are widespread. They are not limited to some areas.” Jaishankar gave replies on conditions of minorities during the Question Hour.
Jaishankar also said that there had been at least 10 cases of attacks on minorities in Pakistan. “The mindset of the government in the neighbour is fanatical,” said Jaishankar.
The Minister also stated that “we cannot change the mindset of the government in Bangladesh. Even Indira Gandhi couldn’t change the mindset of the governments in the neighbouring countries”.
Jaishankar stated that the government is raising the issue of the attacks on minorities with the government of Bangladesh. “I have also raised the issue with Bangladesh. Our Foreign secretary when he visited Dhaka had also raised the issue of attacks on minorities,” said Jaishankar.
The Minister was asked by the Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant if the government will consider intervening to protect the minorities in Bangladesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Nishikant Dubey mentioned that there were at least four pacts inked with governments of Bangladesh and Pakistan for the protection of the minorities in the two countries.
“The pacts that the MP referred to no longer remain relevant as the commitments given by Pakistan and Bangladesh were not adhered to,” said Jaishankar.
The Minister gave details of attacks on minorities in Pakistan. He stated that India is raising the issue of the attacks on minorities in Pakistan at the international forums. “Pakistan has no democracy. The mindset is fanatical,” said Jaishankar.
The Minister said that “India takes lenient views on minorities who wish to come here. We have issued more than 50,000 long-term Visas for such members of the minority community from Pakistan.”
Members of the Lok Sabha expressed concerns at the unabated attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan. They also cited that the population of minorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan have substantially come down since partition of India.
Notably, attacks on minorities in Bangladesh continue unabated after the violent overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina-led government. Members of the Lok Sabha stressed that the incumbent Interim Government in Bangladesh continue to be in denial on attacks on minorities.
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