The BJP on Wednesday expressed concern over the reports of violence against Hindus in the neighbouring Bangladesh.
Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley in a statement issued in New Delhi said, “The post-election violence has started attacking the minority Hindu community. Houses have been burnt and individuals are being attacked. The already insecure Hindu minority is being threatened further. Media reports suggest that most of these attacks have taken place at the behest of the Jamat-e-Islami and even the BNP.”
Referring to the shrinking Hindu population in the adjoining nation and the similarity in the situation being faced by the community in Pakistan, Mr. Jaitley said: “It is noteworthy that the Hindu population, which was around 30 per cent at the time of Independence is currently between 10 to 12 per cent as per the recent estimates.”
He said a disturbed neighbourhood adversely affects India and in some cases the consequences spill into Indian boundaries. “One had hoped that elections in Bangladesh would enhance the democratic process there. As the nation which had supported Bangladesh at the time of their liberation struggle, India, which has thousands of kilometres of borders with Bangladesh, would like to see a peaceful poll accompanied by continuation or transfer of power. It has not happened. We hope that the political process in Bangladesh stabilises and important political parties are in a position to settle their domestic political issues,” Mr. Jaitley said.
The position of the Hindu minorities in Pakistan “is a little worse” he said, adding in recent times thousands have had to migrate to India. “On my visits to places like Indore, Ajmer and other towns of Punjab, many of these groups have met me. Even in Delhi the Hindu migrants from Pakistan have been meeting political leaders and explaining to them the plight of the minorities in Pakistan,” he said urging the Centre to take note.
Published - January 08, 2014 05:29 pm IST
