NEW DELHI, India: In his 11th Independence Day address from Delhi’s Red Fort, Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced deep concern for the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh amid recent political unrest.
He highlighted that the well-being of the Hindu minority, which makes up about 8% of Bangladesh’s population, is a significant concern for 140 crore Indians. The unrest followed the ousting of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5 after protesters flooded the streets of Dhaka, ending her 15-year rule.
The political turmoil in Bangladesh has been marked by violence, with over 450 people losing their lives and reports of targeted attacks on the Hindu minority. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council reported that communal violence has affected 52 of the country’s 64 districts since Hasina’s departure. Modi expressed hope for the normalization of the situation in Bangladesh and emphasized that India remains a steadfast supporter of Bangladesh’s progress, urging for the security of its Hindu and minority communities to be ensured.
