Bangladesh border crisis: Thousands of Hindus are fleeing Bangladesh due to the fear of Islamic fundamentalists. The first batch of these refugees has already reached the Indian border and this movement is because of Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning and leaving the country after mass protests.
Avirup Sarkar who is a Hindu from Bangladesh shared a terrifying experience. His cousin called him in panic saying that a mob attacked their home in Netrokona which is about 100km north of Dhaka. The attackers who were armed with sticks, broke furniture, doors, and stole all the cash and jewelry. Though no one was physically harmed but the message was clear: “Leave the country.”
बांग्लादेश बॉर्डर से बड़ी खबर!
— Panchjanya (@epanchjanya) August 6, 2024
हजारों हिन्दू भारत की ओर कूच कर रहे हैं!
हिन्दुओ की पहली खेप बांग्लादेश से भारत के बॉर्डर पर पहुंच चुकी है।
इस्लामी कट्टरपंथियों डर के मारे बांग्लादेश से भाग रहे हिन्दू।
अपना घर, अपनी जमीन, अपना व्यापार, अपनेअंदर छोड़कर भारत की ओर आ रहे हजारों… pic.twitter.com/dgg9dfr9yJ
Hindus in Bangladesh who are seen as supporters of the Awami League are often targeted. After Sheikh Hasina’s resignation reports of attacks on Hindu properties and temples were on social media. India’s Foreign Minister S Jaishankar expressed concern about the situation and told about the attacks on minority communities and their businesses.
Historical Context
This isn’t the first time Hindus in Bangladesh faced violence. In 1992 after the Babri mosque demolition in India many Hindu homes were attacked. More recently from 2013 to 2021 there have been over 3,600 reported attacks on the Hindu community in Bangladesh.
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Community Support
Despite the violence there have been instances of support. Some young Muslim groups have been protecting Hindu homes and temples from further attacks. This support have not been enough to prevent the fear and displacement of the Hindus who are getting targeted due to their support for the Awaami league.
India now faces a refugee crisis because of the political instability in Bangladesh and the attacks on Hindus many are seeking refuge in India. The border regions of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram are on high alert.
Government Response
The Indian government has taken measures to address the Bangladesh border crisis. They have advised Indian nationals in Bangladesh to exercise extreme caution and avoid travel. The situation is still evolving and the full extent of the violence and displacement is yet to be seen.
Political leaders in India are requesting immediate action to secure the borders and prepare for the influx of refugees. The BJP-led government has been criticized for not adequately fencing the borders and failing to implement measures to detect and expel illegal immigrants.
