India urges Bangladesh to ensure justice to Hindu, minority victims of post-Hasina violence

India on Friday said that of the 2,374 incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, Bangladesh has verified only 1,254 cases reported from August 5, 2024 to February 16, 2025 and that 98% of these 1,254 incidents were deemed ‘political in nature’.

Addressing a weekly briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India expects Bangladesh to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that all perpetrators of killings, arson, and violence are brought to justice, without making distinctions regarding the nature of the incidents.

#WATCH | Delhi | On the issue of minorities in Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have repeatedly underlined that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect the Hindus and other minorities, as well as their properties and… pic.twitter.com/lASDdwlGrG

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2025

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“We have repeatedly underlined that it is the responsibility of the interim government of Bangladesh to protect the Hindus and other minorities, as well as their properties and religious institutions. However, the police have verified only 1254 of over 2374 incidents reported from August 5, 2024, to February 16, 2025. Further, 98% of these 1254 incidents were deemed ‘political in nature’. We expect Bangladesh to thoroughly investigate and bring all perpetrators of killings, arson, and violence to justice without making such distinctions,” said Jaiswal.

He said that India supports a stable, peaceful, inclusive and progressive Bangladesh in which all issues are resolved through democratic means and by holding inclusive and participatory elections.

“We remain concerned about the deteriorating law & order situation, further exacerbated by the release of violent extremists, who were sentenced for serious crimes,” he added.

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Bangladesh’s minority Hindus, which constitute only about 8 per cent of the 170 million population, have faced attacks in 50-odd districts since the Awami League government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fell on August 5.

On Development Cooperation with Bangladesh, Jaiswal said it is a priority area of India’s relations with the people of Bangladesh.

#WATCH | Delhi | On Development Cooperation with Bangladesh, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "...Development cooperation is a priority area of our relations with the people of Bangladesh. The recent security situation and long-standing local issues have affected the pace… pic.twitter.com/atGttfeLHn

— ANI (@ANI) March 7, 2025

“The recent security situation and long-standing local issues have affected the pace of implementation of some of these projects. The official discussions, therefore, focused on rationalising the project portfolio and executing mutually agreed-upon projects in a time-bound manner. Subject to obtaining the committed support and pending clearances from the Bangladesh side, we plan to move forward with these projects,” said Jaiswal.

When asked about Ganga Water Treaty between the two countries, he said the 86th meeting of the Joint Committee constituted to oversee the implementation of the treaty was held on March 6, 2025 in Kolkata.

“At the meeting, the two sides discussed technical issues pertaining to Ganga Water Treaty, measurement of water flows and other issues of mutual interest,” he added.

This routine technical meeting, which is scheduled thrice annually, is part of an institutional structured mechanism associated with the implementation of the Treaty signed in 1996.

With inputs from agencies