India's Response to Unrest in Bangladesh: Monitoring Safety of Hindus

India's Concern for Minority Safety

India has taken significant steps to monitor the safety of Indians and Hindus in Bangladesh amid ongoing unrest and violence against minorities. This response comes in the wake of the departure of Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, and the subsequent reports of attacks on Hindus and other minority communities in the country.

Formation of a High-Level Committee

Home Minister Amit Shah announced the appointment of a high-level committee tasked with monitoring the safety of Indians and Hindus in Bangladesh. This five-member panel will also oversee the situation along India’s 4,096-kilometer-long border with its eastern neighbor. The primary objective of the committee is to maintain open communication with Bangladeshi officials to safeguard vulnerable groups and ensure the safety and security of Indian nationals, Hindus, and other minority communities living in Bangladesh.

Violence Against Hindus and Minorities

Reports have emerged of violent attacks on Hindus, who constitute a minority in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, amid the ongoing protests. The violence was triggered by discriminatory job quotas favoring the descendants of those who fought in Bangladesh’s war of independence from Pakistan in 1971. This has resulted in around 300 deaths and targeted attacks on Hindu minority households and temples, with businesses and homes owned by Hindus being specifically targeted.

India's Security Measures

India has also heightened security along its border with Bangladesh in response to the unrest. Security forces have reportedly prevented a group of nearly 600 people from Bangladesh from entering India at a checkpoint in West Bengal state. Additionally, India has evacuated all non-essential staff and their families from its embassy and consulates in Bangladesh, indicating a proactive approach to ensuring the safety of its citizens and officials in the country.

International Engagement

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the country's foreign ministry have expressed concerns about the violence targeting minorities in Bangladesh. They have emphasized the need for the safety and protection of Hindus and have been in touch with the new administration in Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Indian citizens and officials remaining at its missions. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has confirmed that India is monitoring the alleged attacks targeting minorities and is actively engaged in safeguarding the interests of its citizens in Bangladesh.

Conclusion

India's proactive measures, including the formation of a high-level committee and heightened border security, demonstrate its commitment to ensuring the safety of Indians and Hindus in Bangladesh during this period of unrest and violence. The country's engagement with the new administration in Bangladesh and its efforts to monitor and address the reported attacks on minorities underscore its dedication to protecting the rights and safety of its citizens and minority communities in the region.