India Strongly Condemns Attacks on Minorities in Bangladesh

India voiced strong concern over the continuing incidents of violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, asserting that such cases cannot be ignored or dismissed as exaggerated media reports or routine political disturbances. New Delhi said the safety and rights of minorities remain a matter of serious importance in its engagement with Dhaka.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), responding to recent attacks on Hindus and other minority groups, said it has consistently rejected what it described as misleading narratives emerging from Bangladesh. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that India is closely monitoring developments and has issued multiple statements in recent days highlighting its concerns.

Reacting to the killing of Hindu youth Amrit Mondal, Jaiswal said the incident reflected a troubling pattern of hostility against minority communities. “India condemns the killing and expects that the perpetrators will be identified and brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he said, adding that accountability is essential to restore confidence among affected communities.

The MEA cited independent assessments that have documented more than 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities during the tenure of Bangladesh’s interim administration. These incidents reportedly include cases of killings, arson, vandalism of homes and places of worship, and alleged land grabbing. “These are serious and credible reports that cannot be brushed aside as media exaggerations or dismissed as political violence,” Jaiswal emphasised during his weekly media briefing.

India’s remarks come amid claims by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim Government that the recent lynching of another man with the surname Mondal in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district was not related to communal violence.  

Bangladeshi authorities have cited the victim’s alleged criminal background and have also raised concerns over what they termed the spread of misleading information on social media regarding the incident. While taking note of Dhaka’s response, India stressed that the protection of minorities, including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists, remains a fundamental responsibility of the Bangladeshi state.

New Delhi urged the interim Government to ensure thorough investigations, swift justice, and concrete steps to prevent further violence against vulnerable communities. The MEA also reiterated that unrelenting hostility toward minorities poses a serious challenge to social stability and regional harmony. India, it said, will continue to raise these concerns through diplomatic channels.

Separately, commenting on the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader Tarique Rahman after nearly 17 years, the MEA said India supports democratic processes in Bangladesh and underscored the importance of free, fair, and credible elections as the country moves forward.