UK MPs Express Alarm Over Allegations of "Ethnic Cleansing of Hindus" in Bangladesh

London: The House of Commons in the UK Parliament addressed an "urgent" issue today concerning the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh. Members of Parliament expressed serious concerns about recent attacks on the Hindu minority in the South Asian nation and the reported religious persecution of Hindu monks under the interim government.

Labour Party MP Barry Gardiner had earlier called for an urgent parliamentary session to discuss the developments, which have been closely monitored by London. Conservative MP Priti Patel, the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, described the situation in Bangladesh as "deeply, deeply concerning."

Informing the House about Britain’s actions so far, Catherine West, the Foreign Office in-charge for the Indo-Pacific, shared that she had visited Bangladesh last month. She held meetings with the leadership of the interim government and emphasized the UK's early engagement with Dhaka on these concerns. According to Ms. West, Bangladesh’s chief adviser, Mohamed Yunus, provided verbal assurances in response to UK concerns.

Ms. West also referred to New Delhi’s concerns regarding the arrest of prominent Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges. She reassured MPs that the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) was closely monitoring the situation and would continue to advocate for freedom of religion or belief, particularly concerning the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

Conservative MP Priti Patel highlighted the alarming escalation of violence, vandalism, and desecration targeting Hindu minorities. She remarked, "The scale of violence is deeply troubling. We are witnessing uncontrolled aggression in many areas. The House stands in solidarity with the diaspora community here and those affected in Bangladesh. These reports are deeply disturbing."

Ms. Patel urged the UK government to address the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das and pressed for details on measures taken to ensure his release. "We need clarity on what steps are being taken to secure due process and protect the rights to life, tolerance, and religious freedom," she said.

Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent West, which has a significant British Hindu population, described the situation as being "clearly on a knife edge."

Bob Blackman, chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Hindus, voiced his dismay, stating, "Hindus are enduring the destruction of their homes, businesses, and temples. Priests have been detained, and it appears there’s a systematic attempt to ethnically cleanse Hindus from Bangladesh." Blackman called for "absolute condemnation" of these acts, noting that religious minorities were being targeted solely because of their faith.

Since Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister, the military-backed interim government led by Nobel laureate Mohamed Yunus has faced criticism for its failure to curb violence against minorities. Reports include widespread temple desecrations, attacks on Hindu properties, and the denial of entry for Hindu monks. MPs called for urgent action to address the worsening plight of the Hindu community in Bangladesh.