Dhaka voices alarm over minority violence in India
Bangladesh has expressed deep concern over what it described as 'mass violence' targeting minority communities in India, including Muslims and Christians, and urged Indian authorities to carry out impartial investigations and ensure accountability for those responsible.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson SM Mahbubul Alam said Dhaka was disturbed by reports of brutal killings, mob attacks, arbitrary detentions and restrictions on religious practices affecting minorities across several Indian states. He said Bangladesh expects all countries to uphold their responsibility to protect minority rights and ensure justice without discrimination.
Mahbubul Alam specifically referred to incidents reported during recent Christmas celebrations, saying extremist violence against Christian communities in parts of India amounted to hate crimes and targeted attacks. He called on Indian authorities to take swift legal action and prevent further escalation of communal tensions.
At the same briefing, the spokesperson rejected what he termed 'motivated' remarks made recently by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh. He urged political and media circles in India to refrain from spreading what he described as misleading narratives about Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
Dhaka’s comments came days after India publicly raised concerns about minority safety in Bangladesh. In New Delhi, Indian foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was worried about continued violence against minorities in Bangladesh and condemned the killing of a Hindu youth in Mymensingh, calling for those responsible to be punished.
Responding to that criticism, Alam cited multiple recent cases of violence in India, including reported killings in Odisha, Bihar and Kerala, as well as incidents of mob lynching and attacks linked to religious identity. He stressed that Bangladesh does not support violence anywhere and believes minority protection is a shared regional responsibility.
Bangladesh said it remains committed to peaceful coexistence and expects constructive, respectful dialogue between the two neighbours on sensitive issues affecting communal harmony.
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