India urges Bangladesh to take action against "extremist elements" to ensure the safety of Hindus

India has urged Bangladesh to take action against "extremist" elements to ensure the safety of the Hindu community, following reports of heightened tension in Chittagong due to provocative social media posts.

During a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the alleged attacks on members of the Hindu community and linked the unrest to inflammatory posts on social media. "We have seen several videos circulating online. This is condemnable," Jaiswal remarked.

The spokesperson stressed that it is Bangladesh's responsibility to safeguard the security of its minority communities. "In Chittagong, incendiary posts were made on social media, specifically targeting the Hindu community. This led to disturbances, with some Hindu community members being threatened, and several properties looted," he added.

Jaiswal called on the Bangladeshi government to take strong action against these elements to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minority groups.

India had previously expressed serious concern on October 12 regarding an attack on a puja mandap and a theft at a revered Kali temple in Bangladesh. The Indian government urged Dhaka to prioritize the protection of Hindus and all minority communities, along with their places of worship.

In response to a question about a social media post from the Awami League, where Sheikh Hasina congratulated President-elect Donald Trump, with 'prime minister' in parentheses before her name, Jaiswal reiterated India’s stance. He clarified that Sheikh Hasina is considered a former prime minister of Bangladesh, noting that Hasina had fled to India on August 5 after being ousted from power amid widespread anti-government protests.

When asked about a workshop organized by the Delhi-based think tank Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), Jaiswal provided context and details about the event. "As an important neighboring country, developments in Myanmar are of significant interest to India, as well as to other stakeholders such as the academic community, think tanks, and the business sector," he said. The workshop, held on November 5-6, focused on India’s experience with constitutionalism and federalism, and invited participants from various segments of Myanmar’s society. "We believe that such interactions will contribute to discussions on developing a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned solution to the country’s current challenges," Jaiswal added. "India remains a steadfast supporter of democracy, peace, and stability in Myanmar," he concluded.