TMC's Kirti Azad Calls for Indian Intervention in Bangladesh Crisis
TMC MP Kirti Azad stated on Tuesday that, as an elder brother and considering our good relations with Bangladesh, the Indian government should take measures to protect those facing injustices in the neighboring country, which was once part of us before 1947.
'They are our neighbors. They were once a part of us before independence... When such a situation arises there, as an elder brother and given our good relations, the Government of India should protect those who are facing wrongdoings there,' the TMC MP told ANI, in response to the situation in Bangladesh.
He also mentioned that the United Nations should intervene if the Government of India remains silent on the issue and called for an end to alleged atrocities against minorities worldwide.
"When Govt of India is silent and does politics here too, United Nations will have to intervene - that not only in Bangladesh, but wherever in the world the minorities are being persecuted it should be stopped," he added.
Notably, India has tightened visa curbs after the escalation of violence against various religious minorities in the neighbouring country.
Reportedly, over 60 monks were stopped at Benapole land port in Bangladesh over the weekend and were not allowed to enter India, as claimed by a spokesperson of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Kolkata.
ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman on Tuesday urged the Bangladesh government to provide security to the advocate of Chinmoy Krishna Das citing the recent attack on his previous advocate.
Chinmoy Krishna Das's previous advocate Raman Roy is currently in serious condition in the hospital's Intensive Care Unit (ICU) after being attacked.
Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested on alleged sedition charges, received no relief as a Bangladesh court scheduled the next hearing for January 2, 2025. Currently in custody, Chinmoy Krishna Das is anticipated to stay in jail.
The petition in Bangladesh has accused ISKCON of promoting religious events aimed at inciting sectarian violence, imposing its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and forcibly recruiting members from lower Hindu castes.
He also stated that the United Nations would need to intervene if the Government of India remains silent on the issue and called for an end to alleged atrocities against minorities worldwide.
'When the Government of India is silent and engages in politics here too, the United Nations will have to intervene - not only in Bangladesh but wherever minorities are being persecuted, it should be stopped,' he added. Notably, India has tightened visa restrictions following the escalation of violence against various religious minorities in the neighboring country.
There was no relief for Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das who was arrested on alleged sedition charges.
On Tuesday, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025, as the next date of hearing in the case. Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is currently in custody, is expected to remain in jail.
The Daily Star Bangladesh stated that the Chattogram court postponed the bail petition hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das to January 2. Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam rescheduled the hearing date due to the absence of the defence lawyer.
Prior to the hearing, police increased security around the court premises, with additional patrols visible at various locations in the area. A procession by a group of lawyers was also observed. However, the accused was not presented in court, according to the Daily Star.
Previously, in a related issue, a lawyer submitted a petition seeking a ban on ISKCON in Bangladesh, labeling it a 'radical organization' involved in actions aimed at stirring communal discord, according to local media reports.
The petition claims that ISKCON has been organizing religious events to incite sectarian violence, imposing its beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and coercing members from lower Hindu castes into joining.