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NATION DECEMBER 13, 2024 | The Indian Eye 8

BANGLADESH MINORITIES

US officials raise concern about democracy in

Bangladesh as Yunus claims unity in country

Congressman Brad Sherman issued a statement on Tuesday calling on Bangladesh’s interim

government to protect its Hindu minority and address the ongoing protests

OUR BUREAU
Washington, DC/Dhaka
A
Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025, as the
next hearing date for Hindu spiritual leader
Chinmoy Das, stating that he will remain
in jail on alleged sedition charges until then. The
Daily Star Bangladesh reported that the Chatto-
gram court deferred to January 2 the hearing on the
bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Chattogram
Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam set the new
date for the hearing as the defense lawyer was ab-
sent from the court.
Meanwhile, US Congressman Brad Sherman is-
sued a statement on Tuesday calling on Bangladesh’s
interim government to protect its Hindu minority and
address the ongoing protests by Hindus and minori-
ty communities over recent attacks and harassment.
Sherman called for an investigation from the
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Coun-
cil and the United Nations High Commissioner for
Human Rights, Volker Turk, regarding killings and
other abuses during the unrest that followed the fall
of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Rashtriya Bhartiya Samaj supporters hold a rally on the issue of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh in Patna (ANI)
The congressman urged the current adminis-
tration to take action against violence targeting the
Hindu community and demonstrate leadership in icant concerns, with the American State Depart- In his opening remarks at a discussion with po-
ensuring their protection. “Bangladesh’s interim ment Spokesperson Margaret MacLeod expressing litical parties at Foreign Service Academy, Yunus
government has an absolute obligation to protect its worries about the country’s democracy and human said that an imaginary story is being spread about
Hindu minority and meaningfully address the pro- rights record. Bangladesh which is not limited to a single country
tests of thousands of minority Hindus in outcry over She emphasized that the US desires a “healthy but also to other big countries. He stressed that it
the recent wave of attacks and harassment. With the democracy” in Bangladesh where every individual’s is important to prove the perception wrong through
calls for an investigation from the Bangladesh Hin- human rights are safeguarded. While speaking with joint efforts and establishing the truth.
du Buddhist Christian Unity Council and the Unit- media on Thursday, MacLeod said, “America wants He said that many people do not apparently like
ed Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to see a healthy democracy for Bangladesh where ‘new Bangladesh’, Dhaka Tribune reported, adding
Volker Turk, for killings and other rights violations the human rights of every person are protected.” that the government is open for foreigners to come
during the violent unrest leading up to and after the She added, “The news we are getting from Ban- and see the situation on the ground.
fall of Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh gladesh right now is worrisome. We are observing Yunus stressed the need for unity for the sake
Hasina, the current administration must demon- the situation... We hope the people are able to live of the nation’s interest, noting that they (who are
strate leadership in eliminating acts of violence while following their faith.” campaigning against Bangladesh) are very powerful
against the Hindu community,” the statement read. The situation in Bangladesh is dire owing to the in terms of resources and arrangements.
The situation in Bangladesh has been marked ongoing protests by Hindus and minority communi- Briefing the press after the meeting, Law Advis-
by increasing violence against minority communi- ties over recent attacks and harassment. er Asif Nazrul said the key message of the meeting
ties after the arrest of a spiritual leader, Chinmoy But Chief Advisor of Bangladesh, Muham- is that they will remain united for the sake of the
Krishna Das, over sedition charges and for allegedly mad Yunus said that the entire world must know country’s interest, sovereignty and existence. “We
hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national that Bangladesh remains united and all that it has will never deviate from this,” he said.
flag in Chittagong on October 25. The arrest fol- achieved recently was gained through joint efforts, Nazrul said there is no reason to think of Ban-
lowed a complaint filed on October 31 by a local Dhaka Tribune reported. gladesh as “powerless, weak and submissive” and
politician that accused Chinmoy Das and others of Dhaka Tribune reported that Yunus sought Bangladesh will remain united against any propa-
disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a suggestions from all political parties so that Bangla- ganda. “We will uphold our unity,” he said, adding
rally of the Hindu community. desh could proceed towards the right path without that the entire nation remained united against “In-
The situation in Bangladesh has raised signif- any errors. dia’s propaganda”.

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