NEW DELHI: Speaking at the exhibition on the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh, Satish Chandra, former Deputy National Security Advisor (NSA) and Vice Chairman of the Vivekananda International Foundation, criticized Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He asserted, โShe failed to eliminate Islamic fundamentalism and make Bangladesh a safe place for Hindus.โ
Moreover, he highlighted the recent political crisis, mentioning that after Hasina was removed from power, targeted attacks against Hindus increased.
The FACT Foundation organized this first-ever photo exhibition, at the Vivekananda International Foundation in Chanakyapuri on Monday showcasing the persecution of Hindus other minorities in Bangladesh from 1947 to the present.
Former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri emphasized the need to protect minority rights in the country.
She noted, โIf minorities want to live in Bangladesh, their rights must be respected. They had submitted an eight-point demand to the authorities, but the government has not even allowed local newspapers to report on it.โ
Additionally, she dismissed the recent student uprisings in Bangladesh as spontaneous, asserting that they were led by groups like Jamaat-e-Islami.
Anirban Ganguly, Chairman and trustee of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation, highlighted how the interim Bangladeshi government framed the persecution of Hindus as a political issue rather than a religious one.
He mentioned, โEven US reports described these attacks as โrevengeโ rather than communal violence.โ
Furthermore, he noted that a professor from Dhaka University recently suggested a treaty with Pakistan, calling it Bangladeshโs โmost trustworthy ally.โ
French journalist Franรงois Gautier strongly criticized the international communityโs silence on the issue.
He asserted, โWhatโs happening in Bangladesh is horrificโviolence is turning communal, yet the world remains quiet. Even India is silent. This will continue unless India firmly says: Enough, Enough, and Enough!โ
