British MP Blackman Flags ‘Ethnic Cleansing of Hindus’ Amid UK Concerns Over Bangladesh

UK Concerns Over Bangladesh: British MPs are worried about the attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh and the arrest of religious leaders.

Conservative MP Bob Blackman, who has repeatedly condemned the violence, said there was an “attempt at ethnic cleansing of Hindus" in Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.

“Clearly this is an attempt at ethnic cleansing of Hindus from Bangladesh," Blackman said, calling on the Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West to condemn the targeted persecution of religious minorities. West said this was on her agenda when she met with the interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh in November.

Also Read: Traffic Chaos at Delhi-UP Border as Heavy Security Deployed for Rahul Gandhi’s Sambhal Visit

In his earlier comments, Blackman had said Hindus in Bangladesh were being killed, their spiritual leader was arrested and their houses were being burnt. He said the UK had a duty to act on this because they had enabled Bangladesh’s independence.

UK Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Bangladesh

West also highlighted India’s concern over the ongoing situation in Bangladesh, following the arrest of ISKCON Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges. “The UK government will continue to monitor the situation, including making representations from this House, and will engage with the interim government in Bangladesh on the importance of freedom of religion or belief specifically as it affects the Hindu community," she said.

I am deeply concerned by the awful violence we have seen in Bangladesh, and my thoughts are with those affected.

In Parliament this afternoon, I called on the Government to set out how they are engaging with the Bangladeshi Government on this pressing and important issue.… pic.twitter.com/jRXciBQIKH

— Priti Patel MP (@pritipatel) December 2, 2024

Priti Patel, British MP of Indian origin, said the government should act to save lives in Bangladesh as Hindus are being attacked in the country. She is “worried”.

In his previous statement Blackman said Hindus in Bangladesh are being killed, their spiritual leader is arrested and their homes are being burnt. He said the UK has to act on this because they enabled Bangladesh’s independence.

During a debate at the House of Commons, Blackman said, “At the moment we have a position whereby Hindus are suffering with their houses burnt, businesses being ransacked, priests being arrested. Two further (priests) were arrested over the weekend and 63 monks were denied access to the country."

Also Read: Man Attempts to Shoot Sukhbir Badal at Golden Temple in Amritsar, Arrested

“There are deep and longstanding ties between our two countries, and the degree of escalation of the violence is deeply, deeply concerning. And what we are witnessing now is just uncontrolled violence in many quarters. And we are now watching with horror and shock as further violence has spread in Bangladesh," she said in the parliament.

Relations between the two neighbours are not good after the regime change when former Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina had to flee to India to take shelter as protesters ousted her over quota reforms. The arrest of a Hindu monk Chinmay Krishna Das Prabhu has put the country and Hindus in Bangladesh as well as in India on edge.

Thousands marched near Bangladesh mission in Agartala on Dec 2. They entered the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and damaged things, said MEA. “Deeply regrettable”.

Also Read: 5.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Telangana; Hyderabad Feels Strong Tremors