New Delhi/Dhaka: Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim govt, called up PM Modi to assure him that the new regime in Dhaka would prioritise the protection of Hindus and all other minorities.
The conversation also saw Modi promising Yunus of India’s support for a “democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive” Bangladesh, while underscoring the importance of ensuring the “protection, safety and security” of Hindus and other minorities, according to a readout by Indian govt.
Yunus told the PM that reports of attacks on minorities had been exaggerated and “he is inviting Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh and report from the ground on issues of protection of the minorities”. Yunus said his govt was committed to making all state apparatus fully functional and effective, and ensuring human rights for every citizen of the country.
While the situation for minority communities in Bangladesh seems to have improved a bit in the past few days, Hindu groups have continued to voice fears about the threat of violence. This was the third time Modi had spoken about the need to protect Hindus since the interim govt took over.
Early polls unlikely
Yunus pledged to hold elections but said a “free, fair and participatory” election can only be held when the interim govt has completed its “mandate” to carry out “vital reforms”. In his first interaction with diplomats in Dhaka, Yunus said reforms are needed in the election commission, judiciary, civil administration, security forces, and media. In their effort to stay in power, Yunus told diplomats, the “Sheikh Hasina dictatorship destroyed every institution of the country. The judiciary was broken and democratic rights suppressed through a brutal decade-and a-half crackdown.”
The “to-do list” involves a long process, creating uncertainty about the prospect of early elections and formation of an elected govt. “The revolutionary students want us to carry out meaningful reforms, which will turn the country into a thriving democracy,” he said.
Ex-mantri held; media org’s office attacked
Police arrested former minister and Awami League joint general secretary Dipu Moni while two more murder cases were filed against Hasina and a petition moved seeking a ban on Awami League and cancellation of its registration. Unidentified miscreants, meanwhile, attacked Bangladesh’s East West Media Group, a leading media organisation, and vandalised its offices in Dhaka and nearly two dozen parked vehicles of senior journalists.
Hasina’s extradition
As cases rise against her, including murder accusations, Bangladesh will decide whether to ask India to extradite Hasina, the country’s de-facto foreign minister Mohammad Touhid Hossain said. Hossain said he did not want to speculate, but noted that Hasina was facing “so many cases”. If the country’s home and law ministries decided, “we have to ask for her...return to Bangladesh”, he said. “That creates an embarrassing situation for the Indian government,” he said, adding India “knows this and I am sure they will take care of it”. He did not elaborate. India’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment.
