As the Hindus of Bangladesh are being attacked by Islamists since Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, the four Shankaracharyas in India have condemned the anti-Hindu violence. Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalanand Saraswati voiced his concern over the onslaught of Hindus in Bangladesh and demanded that it be stopped immediately.
“Everything can be settled by establishing peace. Hindus are peace-loving people and when Hindus are safe, the country is safe. Such violence in Bangladesh is a conspiracy of China. Mosques are being destroyed in China and Muslims are being expelled from the country. Now, China is using Bangladesh to destabilise India. If Bangladesh fails to understand this, its existence will crumble into dust in the coming days,” Nischalanand Saraswati said.
Meanwhile, Dwarka Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati said that the governments of India and Bangladesh should meet and discuss the predicament of Hindus. “The situation of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh is not good. What has been happening for the past 50 years is not right [persecution of Hindus]. What is their fault? Why are they being selectively killed? Why are their temples being destroyed? A solution to this problem should be found soon. If not, it will become a norm that wherever Hindus live around the world when problems arise, there will be no one to help them,” he said.
Sadanand Saraswati also called upon Indian Muslims to reflect on who is carrying out the killings and targeted attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh. “In Bangladesh, there are still about 1.25 crore. Even with such a large number, when they are facing crises, it should be considered, and Muslims in India should also reflect on who is doing the killing there,” Dwarka Shankaracharya said.
Following the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, Kanchi Shankaracharya Shankara Vijayendra Saraswati is reported to have been offering special prayers for the restoration of peace and normalcy in the unrest-hit country. He called for peace, safety, and stability in Bangladesh, emphasising the existence of a significant population of Hindus and various historic Hindu temples, including the Dhakeshwari Mandir, a shakti-peeth.
Meanwhile, Jyotirmath Shankaracharya Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati urged the Indian government to take measures to save the Hindus under attack by Islamists in Bangladesh. Expressing solidarity with the Bangladeshi Hindus, Avimukteshwaranand asserted that it should be ensured that Hindus facing persecution in any country are welcome to India, the land of Hindus.
“Hindus must be protected in Bangladesh. The Bangladesh government must not forget that thousands of Bangladeshis live in India. We request the government to provide land and security for them, and we will take care of their food and other requirements and won’t let the burden come on the government,” he said.
