Mon Dec 02 07:38:59 UTC 2024: ## West Bengal CM Demands UN Peacekeepers in Bangladesh Amid Religious Violence

**Kolkata, India –** West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force in Bangladesh and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene personally to protect religious minorities amid escalating violence in the neighboring country. Her statement follows reports of the arrest of at least three Hindu priests, including members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), during recent civil unrest.

The unrest began in August following a student-led rebellion that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the temporary installation of an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Ms. Banerjee expressed concern for the safety of Indian citizens and their property in Bangladesh, stating that while respecting India’s official stance, atrocities based on religion are unacceptable.

The Indian government has already voiced serious concerns regarding the surge in extremist rhetoric and violence against Hindus, including attacks on temples. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with Prime Minister Modi last week to discuss the situation and subsequently briefed Parliament, emphasizing that while the primary responsibility for protecting Bangladeshi citizens rests with the Bangladeshi government, the Indian High Commission in Dhaka is closely monitoring the situation. The interim government has affirmed the rights of all Bangladeshi citizens to practice their religion freely.

However, the arrests of ISKCON priests and other Hindu leaders have sparked protests across Bangladesh. These arrests, and the overall decline of the Hindu population in Bangladesh from 22% during the 1971 Liberation War to approximately 8% today, have fueled Ms. Banerjee’s call for international intervention. She highlighted India’s past assistance to Bangladeshi citizens in distress, suggesting a reciprocal need for international support in addressing the current crisis.

Read More