Attack on Hindus: Never seen such incidents, say Bangladeshi Hindus in India

The current assaults on minorities, largely Hindus, and the vandalism of Hindu temples in Bangladesh has sparked severe issues concerning the security of minorities within the neighbouring nation. Several worldwide Hindu and human rights teams have slammed the violence and demanded the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Although Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina assured strict motion towards the perpetrators of the violence towards Hindus, little appears to have modified on the bottom.

ALSO READ | Are we afraid of Bangladesh: Subramanian Swamy questions BJP’s silence on assaults on HindusIndia Today went to West Bengal’s Petrapole alongside the Indo-Bangla border and met apprehensive folks crossing the border. These folks have been Bangladeshi Hindu households and Indians who have been both returning to Bangladesh or coming again to India from the neighbouring nation.Shyamali Sarkar (56), a Bangladeshi Hindu, from Madaripur district in Bangladesh had come to Kolkata for therapy. She stated that she was tense. She had by no means confronted such points (violence towards Hindus) in her Madaripur locality. “We have lived there for a long time. We used to hear of such incidents but never faced them. Although nothing has happened in my area so far, I shall be tensed as I return home,” Sarkar said.Also Read | Bangladesh temple attacks: Politics erupts over Durga Puja violenceBabul Sarkar, a 40-year-old Indian businessman who had just returned to India from Bangladesh, stated that although he was not directly affected, he was scared when he saw the visuals on Facebook. “I got here to know concerning the incident on Facebook after I was in Bangladesh. I used to be terrified. I generally go there for enterprise. I’m relieved to return to India.” said the Kolkata-based businessman.The Petrapole-Benapole checkpoint along the Indo-Bangla border has seen a dip in movement due to Covid. However, a section of Bangladeshi nationals regularly uses it to enter India for medical tourism.ALSO READ | Being Hindu in Bangladesh, and Jogen Mandal’s inglorious legacyAnother Bangladeshi Hindu, who was coming to India for treatment, met India Today’s team at the checkpoint. On grounds of anonymity, he shared his concerns over the incidents. He said that he had heard of sporadic incidents in the past, but nothing of the magnitude seen in the previous week.”Sporadic incidents have occurred, however I’ve by no means seen or heard of such sorts of violence. My household in Bangladesh is secure however I’m apprehensive,” he stated.ALSO READ | ‘Jihadist forces of hate’: Former US Congresswoman condemns assault on Hindus in Bangladesh