India Urges Bangladesh to Protect Minorities After Hindu Protests Over Lord Ram Photo
India called on Tuesday for Bangladesh to take action against extremist groups and ensure the safety of minority communities, following protests by Hindus in Bangladesh over the alleged desecration of an image of Lord Ram during a demonstration by an Islamist group in Gaibandha.
Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters: “We have seen reports from Bangladesh regarding acts of desecration involving Hindu deities and their images, which have sparked protests. We expect the Bangladeshi government to curb the extremists there and guarantee the safety of the minority community.”
The Islamist group’s protest and the incident involving the image of Lord Ram are linked to plans to build a statue of Lord Ram in Gaibandha, which would be the tallest of its kind in Bangladesh. The construction was put on hold after reported threats from Islamist groups.
Last week, Hindu groups staged multiple demonstrations in Dhaka, accusing the Bangladeshi government of inaction and demanding action against those responsible for the alleged desecration.
Hindus constitute nearly 8% of Bangladesh’s population of about 170 million. The country has a Muslim-majority population, and minority rights have been a matter of international attention.
