The UK government is closely monitoring the situation, which has seen attacks on the Hindu minority and the arrest of influential religious leaders in Bangladesh. The situation has called for an urgent debate in the House of Commons, where MPs raised deep concerns over the safety and rights of the Hindu community amid growing violence.
Parliamentary Concerns and Government Actions
Labour MP Barry Gardiner led the debate on Monday, expressing shock at the violence. Catherine West, UK Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific, reassured MPs that diplomatic efforts would continue. During her visit to Bangladesh last month, she secured commitments from the interim government of that country to support religious minorities.
West emphasized that the UK is taking an active approach, including dialogues with influential figures like Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. “We are aware of the Indian government’s concerns over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office is monitoring the developments closely,” she noted, reiterating the UK’s commitment to religious freedom in Bangladesh.
Worsening Situation and Growing Violence
The violence has escalated since political unrest erupted on August 5 after deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India. The arrest of Das, a prominent Hindu leader, added fuel to protests and targeted attacks, which included the vandalism of Hindu homes and businesses. The crisis deepened since Muhammad Yunus took over as Chief Adviser of the caretaker government in August.
MPs Raise Their Voices on Religious Persecution
Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel termed the situation “deeply concerning,” while Bob Blackman, chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus, described the violence as an “attempt at ethnic cleansing.” Blackman also drew attention to reports of priests being arrested and monks being denied entry into Bangladesh.
British Sikh MP Gurinder Singh Josan voiced his solidarity and stated that “all communities are unanimous in their condemnation of the persecution.” Josan urged Minister West to work more closely with the UK’s Hindu and Bangladeshi communities to solve the problem.
Commitment of Minister West
Minister West underlined the need to understand the diverse communities affected by these activities, as she has regularly visited temples in London as well as in India on her continuous learning process, and assured that the UK continued to support religious minorities and heard their concerns in Bangladesh.
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