New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi should intervene in Bangladesh as Indira Gandhi did in 1971, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP from West Bengal Jagannath Sarkar said Tuesday.
His comments came amid political instability in Bangladesh after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country Monday, following anti-government protests.
“The Prime Minister should take whatever action is needed — diplomatic or military. Only Modi can save the Hindus of Bangladesh,” said the Ranaghat MP, speaking to ThePrint.
Indira Gandhi extended military support to the Mukti Bahini during the 1971 liberation war against Pakistan and paved the way for the creation of Bangladesh, Sarkar said in a recollection of the period, adding that action was again needed.
“There is an urgent need to save the Hindus of Bangladesh. Planned attacks are happening, with temples and properties looted. Our party was founded on the principles of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee. He made Bengal what it is today. Those on the other side are also our brothers,” he said.
On the crisis in Bangladesh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said Tuesday that the situation is still evolving, and India is in touch with the authorities in Dhaka. He said that India will remain concerned until a visible restoration of law and order in Bangladesh, and the Border Security Force (BSF) will stay alert on the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Sharing concerns about Indians stranded in Bangladesh, Jaishankar said, “The Indian government is in close and continuous communication with the Indian community in Bangladesh.”
There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals, including 9,000 students, in Bangladesh, said the minister, adding that many had returned to India in July.
Sarkar told ThePrint that Bangladesh was born in a difficult situation when atrocities on different communities had reached alarming levels. Before that, Hindus had faced severe atrocities during the Partition, he said.
“Sometimes, to save dharma, Kurukshetra becomes essential. If such a situation arises, dharma should be protected at every cost, even at the cost of war. But, first, the government should explore diplomacy, and it is exploring this option in the emerging situation,” he said.
He further said Modi’s concerns about minorities in Bangladesh and Pakistan had become clear with the passing of the Citizenship Amendment Act.
“Our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah took the initiative to provide citizenship to minorities. So, if Hindus feel unsure in Bangladesh, the gates should be open to accommodate them here,” he said.
Insisting that the reports of atrocities on Hindus are not fake, the BJP MP said pictures have flooded social media, and people saying that the situation is not grave are fooling others.
“I do not care about who forms the government in Bangladesh. My only concern is there is no damage to the lives and properties of minorities,” he added.
Talking on similar lines, West Bengal assembly’s Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari Monday asked Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to “mentally prepare” to accommodate “an influx of Hindus from Bangladesh”.
“If the situation does not come under control there, Jamaat (an opposition party in Bangladesh) and radicals will take control,” Adhikari told reporters.
Also, former BJP National General Secretary Sunil Deodhar Monday posted on X: “Everyone’s priority now should be the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. Widespread violence against Hindus has been reported.”
According to reports, 300 people have been killed in Bangladesh since students started protesting against a government job quota scheme early in July, with nearly 100 killed on Sunday alone.
Sheikh Hasina is currently in India. However, it is uncertain whether she will remain in Delhi or move on to another location.
In response to the crisis, the central government, on Tuesday, held an all-party meeting on the issue. The government has assured MPs in the Parliament of keeping tabs on the evolving situation.
(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)
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