Amid Iskcon-Bangladesh tension, Yunus meets religious leaders: ‘Not enemies despite differences’

Tension escalated between India and Bangladesh following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and reports of increasing attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in the neighboring country. Amid this, the interim government-led by Muhammad Yunus reached out to religious leaders, seeking cooperation and gathering information about attacks on minorities.

Speaking at a meeting of religious leaders, Yunus shared that the issue of attacks on minorities keeps cropping up and there is a disparity between the reality and what news is being peddled by foreign media.

“We want to know the accurate information and want to establish the process of getting the information,” the state-run BSS news agency quoted the Chief Adviser as saying.

As per reports, even though Yunus did not specify which ‘foreign’ media he was talking about, but, several of his colleagues in the interim cabinet as well as his aides have accused a section of Indian media of propagating false information, especially on the persecution of the Hindu community.

Speaking with members of different religious communities at the event at Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, Yunus was quoted as saying, “We are not enemies of one another despite our differences.”

He also addressed concerns about minority rights, and said, “We must ensure that information is collected safely, without causing embarrassment to those providing it.”

At the meeting, Yunus reiterated the importance of equality, saying, “We are all members of one family, and everyone has equal rights. Those who are guilty must be held accountable for their actions.”

“If any incident of attack on minorities takes place in the country, information must be collected immediately on such incidents and the perpetrators must be brought to justice,” he said, adding, “Those who are guilty must be held accountable for their actions.”

The chief adviser spoke on the need for measures to create an environment that prevents such incidents and ensures immediate remedies for victims. “I think most of the people of Bangladesh agree with what I have said,” he noted.

Yunus also mentioned that when he assumed office in August following the ousting of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, reports of minority repression prompted him to issue a clarion call for national unity as “one family” despite differences in faiths, opinions, and traditions.

Referring to his visit to Dhakeswari Temple in Dhaka during Durga Puja, he said the Hindu festival was celebrated with great enthusiasm in the country, with people from all strata joining in, turning the event into a national celebration. The minority Hindu community in Muslim-majority Bangladesh has reportedly faced over 200 attacks across 50 districts since Hasina’s Awami League government fell on August 5.

“Their key demand was equality: the right to speak, the right to practice religion, and the right to work. These rights stem from our constitution, and it is the state’s duty to uphold them," he was quoted as having said.

With inputs from agencies.