Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has called for the urgent restoration of peace in Bangladesh amidst the ongoing political unrest. She emphasized the Indian government’s responsibility to ensure the safety of Indians stranded in Bangladesh. Chaturvedi expressed concern over the troubling images coming from Bangladesh, including the destruction of the statue of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Chaturvedi stated, “I hope peace will be restored quickly. The current visuals from Bangladesh are alarming, such as the destruction of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s statue.” She added, “If the instability persists, it will negatively impact both the country and the region.”
Further, Chaturvedi urged, “Yesterday, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar mentioned that 19,000 Indians are currently in Bangladesh. The government must facilitate their safe return to India and ensure a secure environment for them.”
Congress MP KC Venugopal also voiced concerns, stating, “We have raised issues regarding the safety of Indian students and minorities in Bangladesh. The government has assured us they are addressing the situation, and we are closely monitoring their actions.”
On August 7, Air India operated a special charter flight from Dhaka to Delhi to aid in the evacuation. The flight, which faced infrastructure challenges at Dhaka Airport, arrived in Delhi early this morning with 199 passengers and 6 infants. Air India sources confirmed, “Despite the short notice and infrastructure issues at Dhaka Airport, Air India successfully operated a special charter flight last night, transporting 199 passengers and 6 infants to Delhi.”
In Bangladesh, political tensions have escalated following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s resignation on August 5, amid protests primarily led by students demanding the end of the quota system for government jobs. Following Hasina’s resignation, President Mohammed Shahabuddin announced the dissolution of parliament to pave the way for an interim administration, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.
Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been appointed head of Bangladesh’s interim government, according to the Dhaka Tribune. This decision was made after a meeting between President Shahabuddin, military leaders, political party heads, civil society representatives, and student leaders. The meeting also decided to release Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Khaleda Zia from jail.
The president’s office announced that the process of releasing those detained during the student protests and other related cases from July 1 to August 5 has begun, with many already freed. A statement from the president’s press team revealed that there was a unanimous decision to release Khaleda Zia immediately and free all those arrested during the student protests.
(WITH INPUTS FROM ANI)
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