Bangladesh is engulfed in a spate of violence and targeted attacks on Hindus and minorities. Sheikh Hasina has fled from the country and disturbing visuals about the shops, temples, and houses of Hindus being burnt have come to the fore. International President of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Senior Advocate Alok Kumar ji spoke to Richa Kapoor, Senior Assistant Editor at Organiser about the role of China and Pakistan in instigating the violence, his expectations from the new interim government and urging the Indian government to take steps to ensure that the Hindus and the minorities are protected in Bangladesh.
Organiser: India has made significant economic investments in Bangladesh. With the change in regime, how do you see the relations between the two countries getting affected?
Alok Kumar: It is a question of progressive and welfare development. We share a border that is more than 4,000 kilometers long and we are joined by nature, by economic interests, development, traditions, and culture. The interest of both countries lies in enhancing cooperation. I would say that it is a compulsive necessity and presently I can only hope that the new government in Bangladesh would understand this fact and it would not allow itself to be impacted by the recent violence. I would hope and look forward to Bangladesh and India becoming better friends.
Organiser: Can the recent developments in Bangladesh be termed as the one that we saw during the east-Pakistan era.
Alok Kumar: Some of the trends that we see in Bangladesh are worrysome. The demands that were put forward by the students in Bangladesh, they were met. The government in Bangladesh has fallen and Sheikh Hasina has been forced to flee from the country. However, some of the Jihadi elements are trying to turn the movement against the minority community, particularly the Hindus all over the Bangladesh. There have been attacks on their business establishments, houses and places of worship. The world community should put pressure on Bangladesh to ensure that peace is maintained in the country. The Indian Government should take all possible steps to safeguard the minorities and especially the Hindus in Bangladesh. I would also expect the interim government in Bangladesh to take adequate steps to provide secuirty to the minorities and ensure their welfare.
Organiser: Sheikh Hasina had said almost a month ago that foreign powers are wanting to convert Bangladesh into a Christian state. Now within such a short span of time, coup has taken place in Bangladesh and how do you see the role of deep state in this regard?
Alok Kumar: There were some concerns that the people of Bangladesh had, those concerns were represented by the students and their agitations. Pakistan, China and allegedly the Deep State have plaved a pivotal role in intensifying the violence and protests in Bangladesh. However, now when the demands have been met, it is important that better sense prevails and extremism should not be given any space.
Organiser: How do you see India handling this turmoil in Bangladesh as it is not a great thing to have a distubed neighbourhood ?
Alok Kumar: I have full faith in the government of India to handle the situation effectively. However, it is extremely unfortunate that the friendly governments in Nepal, Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka have been toppled. Politics is the game of uncertainity and we need to find a way and come out of it, no matter what the situation is.
Organiser: It is said that the nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus who was in jail could be released and would lead the interim government. How do you see this impacting our relations?
Alok Kumar: I can hope that sanity would prevail for the good of the people on both sides.
Organiser: How do you see the Islamists in India reacting to the prevailing situation in Bangladesh wherein the minorities and especially the Hindus ae facing the brunt of violence?
Alok Kumar: I do not understand why they should respond in a particular way with regards to change of government in Bangladesh. It is right that Sheikh Hasina had supported India in meeting out the threat of terrorism. She was a good friend of India and therefore we could promote welfare of the people in the two countries. The achievements of Bangladesh on the human development index were remarkable. She played a pivotal role in turning around the economy of Bangladesh. I am not a pessimist and I would not like to believe that the new government would be against us.
Organiser: How does VHP plan to tackle the situation if we see large number of Hindus fleeing from Bangladesh owing to the hostile environment and coming to India?
Alok Kumar: In the first attempt all possible steps should be taken to avoid that the Hindus and the minorities be not allowed to leave Bangladesh as uprooting someone from their roots is not correct and the government in Bangldesh should be persuaded to secure the lives of Hindus and the minorities. In case the Hindus are forced to leave Bangladesh, then in such a case, VHP will take all possible steps to ensure that they do not face any problem and will ensure the dignity of their lives.
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