West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged the deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force in Bangladesh following a “surge in violence against Hindus and other religious minorities.” She also called for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to address the escalating tensions.
“We condemn atrocities on religious grounds anywhere in the world,” Banerjee said during a speech in the West Bengal Assembly. “If Indians are attacked in Bangladesh, we cannot tolerate it. The Union government must intervene, and a UN peacekeeping force should be sent to restore harmony.”
Her remarks come after the arrests of three Hindu monks in Bangladesh, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was accused of disrespecting the national flag during a rally in October. The Bangladesh police subsequently detained two other monks who had delivered medicines to Das in prison.
The situation in Bangladesh has been tense since August, following a student-led movement that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus now leads an interim government amid growing unrest.
Banerjee acknowledged India’s familial and cultural ties with Bangladesh, stating, “We have families, properties, and loved ones in Bangladesh. The Government of India must act to ensure their safety.”
India’s Ministry of External Affairs expressed concerns last week, urging a fair trial for the detained monks and calling on Dhaka to safeguard its minorities. However, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry dismissed India’s comments, labeling the arrests as internal matters.
Banerjee’s call for international intervention marks a shift in her stance, as she had previously stated that violence in Bangladesh was a matter for the central government to address.
