The rampant attacks on the minority communities in Bangladesh after the ouster of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina has been sending shockwaves across the world, and it has become further evident now as the issue has now been put up in the UK Parliament by Ilford South MP, Jas Athwal.
Addressing the House, Jas said, ‘Recently, I met with my constituents in Ilford South, who have been increasingly concerned about the anti-Hindu violence in Bangladesh. Since last August, there have been reports of over 2000 incidents of violence, most of which have been targeted against the minority Hindu community.’
‘I have seen further disturbing reports of the arrest and continuing custody of the former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Chinmoy Krishna Das. These reports are deeply perturbing. The UK champions freedom of religion for all, and no one should be at risk of violence or targeted because of their beliefs’, added Athwal.
Speaking further, he asked, ‘I note the response from the Minister for Indo-Pacific in December about this issue. Would the leader update the House or ask the Foreign Secretary to make a statement on the assessment he has made and the action his department has taken to engage with the new government in Bangladesh, so that they can support the right of people from all religions to live freely?’
Responding to Athwal’s addressal, it was made clear in the House that the UK government takes extremely seriously the issues that he raised. It was also stated that the Minister for Indo-Pacific was recently in Bangladesh where she made absolutely clear that the Bangladesh government should take greater steps in the protection of religious minorities.
The earliest update about these matters by the concerned minister to the House was also assured as the issue has been of great relevance during sessions of the Parliament of late.
