On Monday (12th August), the Bangladesh Interim government said that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s stay in New Delhi will not affect their bilateral relations with India. The Home Affairs Adviser of the Interim government also ruled out banning her political party, Awami League stating that it had made several contributions for Bangladesh. Additionally, as Mohammad Yunus is slated to meet Hindu students, the Interim government has issued an apology to the Hindu community for the recent targeted attacks and religious persecution in the past few days.
During a press briefing, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain said, “The bilateral relationship between the two countries is not influenced by the presence of one individual in a country. Bilateral relations are a significant matter, involving mutual interests from both sides—India has its interests, and Bangladesh has its interests.”
He made these remarks during a briefing for diplomats at the state guesthouse on Monday. Strikingly, it was the first diplomatic engagement of the newly installed Interim government led by Mohammad Yunus following the violent ouster of democratically elected Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on 5th August.
Representatives from all diplomatic missions in Dhaka, including UN agencies, were present during the briefing where Hossain expressed confidence that the international community would continue to support the interim government and the people of Bangladesh. He said, “Bangladesh is on the brink of a new beginning.”
Home Affairs adviser to the Interim government rules out banning Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League
Earlier in the day on Monday, Home Affairs Adviser to the Interim government, equivalent to Home Minister, Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain said that the interim government had no intention of banning Hasina’s Awami League party as he added that it has made several contributions for the country.
Responding to a query about a possible ban on Sheikh Hasina’s party, Hossain said, “The party has made many contributions to Bangladesh — we don’t deny this. When the election comes, (they should) contest the elections.”
He directly addressed Sheikh Hasina and raised questions on her departure from the country. He said, “You have been mentioning that you plan to return to the country. But why did you leave in the first place? You left voluntarily. This is your country; you are welcome to come back. However, please refrain from stirring up trouble. If you do, it will only agitate people further. We respect you.”
He also urged the Former Prime Minister and Awami League leader to reform her party with fresh faces. Meanwhile, he also issued a deadline to protesters and asked them to surrender the illegal firearms they had seized within a week. He warned that those who do not abide by the order will face legal repercussions.
Failed to provide security: Interim government apologies to Hindu and other religious minorities, Mohammad Yunus to meet Hindu students
While the Islamists and their supports including alleged fact-checker Alt News’ Mohammad Zubair, journalists like Rana Ayyub, and Arfa Khanum Sherwani as well as RJ Sayema have been attempting to whitewash religious persecution and attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus, the interim government of Bangladesh has issued an apology to the Hindu community.
According to the reports, minority communities in Bangladesh have faced more than 205 incidents of attacks across 52 districts since the ouster of the Sheikh Hasina government on 5th August.
Home Affairs Adviser, Brig Gen (Retd) M Sakhawat Hossain tendered an apology to the Hindu community in the country for the targeted attacks against them in the past few days. Hossain also acknowledged the failure on the government’s part to provide security and has sought accountability from the society at large to do so.
Additionally, the head of the interim government, Muhammad Yunus is slated to meet Hindu Bengali leaders as the interim government vowed to punish vandals who desecrated places of worship belonging to minorities and carried out loot and arson attacks.
The interim government stated that the discussion would focus on resolving the current crisis and ensuring the protection of the Hindu community. Earlier, Muhammad Yunus condemned the attacks on minority communities, describing them as “heinous” and urged the youth to protect Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families.
Amid large-scale attacks, minority groups have demanded the implementation of a minority protection law to protect their rights.
As per reports, a Hindu student group has created an eight-point list of demands to present to the leader of the Interim government, Mohammad Yunus. These eight demands include the establishment of a fast-track tribunal for swift trials in cases of attacks on Hindus, the urgent enactment of a minority protection law, upgrading the Hindu Religious Welfare Trust to a foundation, modernising the Pali Education Board, declaring a five-day holiday during Sharadiya Durga Puja, and establishing a Ministry of Minority Affairs, as reported by India Today.
After meeting top leaders of the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance, Home Affairs adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain said that the demand for a three-day holiday during the Hindu community’s religious festival, Durga Puja, is “relevant”.
After meeting the Hindu community, he said, “I have spoken to them and assured them that I will discuss this matter. Durga Puja is their biggest festival. I have told them that I will strongly recommend from this ministry that there should be a three-day holiday for Durga Puja. Even if that doesn’t happen, there should at least be a two-day holiday. For with just a single day of holiday, those who have jobs cannot attend the festival.”
Furthermore, a religious adviser to the interim government, Khalid Hossain said those who attacked places of worship belonging to minorities were ‘thugs’ and that they would be forced to pay penalties for the damages caused.
According to Prothom Alo, he said, “The ministry of religion has been on the side of religious minorities in the past, continues to and will remain so in the future.”
He told the outlet that district administrators are collecting lists of desecrated places of worship. He added that a hotline is being launched to deal with such cases. He also assured that the Ministry of Home Affairs will take action in these cases.
Want to advance bilateral relations with India: Foreign Affairs Adviser
A day earlier, the Interim government said that it would take steps to bring back former prime minister Sheikh Hasina if the law ministry requested. As per reports, foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain addressed the first press briefing at the foreign ministry on Sunday.
Hossain highlighted the need for good relations with India and emphasized balanced international relations. Regarding Dhaka-Delhi relations, Hossain said, “It is important that people feel India is a good friend of Bangladesh … we want that, we want to advance the (Dhaka-Delhi) relation towards that direction … we would like to see India will cooperate us in this regard.”
Regarding the Interim government’s approach to international relations, Hossain said, “Our policy is to maintain good relations with all countries while protecting our national interests. We seek friendship with all and enmity with none, aiming to establish balanced relations. Our primary task is to safeguard our interests.”
He added, “It is meaningless to assume that this interim government is focused solely on any particular direction. We intend to maintain smooth and positive relations with all … including India and China.”
During the briefing, he also hinted at the possibility of general elections in the country. Hossain said, “Our key objective is to conduct a fair and impartial election. Speculation at this point is unnecessary.”
While the interim government vowed to restore law and order, attacks against Bangladeshi policemen, paramilitary groups and armed forces have continued in the violence-hit nation. As per the Dhaka Tribune report, the army has recovered weapons seized during recent protests in Gopalganj.
Claiming that the law and order situation will return to normalcy within this week, Home Affairs Minister Hussain told Prothom Alo, “How can the police do their job if they are harassed and killed, with various intentions?”
As per reports, 599 police stations, out of 639, have resumed operations all across the country. More than 42 police personnel were killed and over 507 were injured in the recent protests.
