Bangladesh's Yunus flags ‘glaring gaps’ in minority attack reports, accuses ‘foreign media’ of false propaganda

Bangladesh News: In a recent address, Bangladesh's interim government leader, Muhammad Yunus, dismissed claims of widespread atrocities against minorities in the country, particularly the Hindu community. Yunus convened a meeting with religious leaders to address the situation and reiterated that, despite differences in religion, caste, and opinion, the people of Bangladesh are united. He also accused "foreign media" of exaggerating reports of minority persecution, calling for a more rigorous verification of information.

Yunus Challenges Media Reports on Minority Persecution

Yunus acknowledged that recent reports of renewed attacks, torture on minorities, particularly the Hindu community, had been circulating both locally and internationally.

However, Yunus downplayed the extent of minority attack incidents, claiming that the situation was not as severe as portrayed in the media, according to a report by Dhaka Tribune. In his statement, Yunus said, “We are seeing reports of renewed attacks and torture. Some of this information comes from foreign media. There are glaring gaps in what we know, and that must end.”

He further stressed the importance of verifying information, urging religious leaders to work together to collect truthful and safe information. “We cannot blindly rely on what we receive. We must investigate the root causes. Is this false propaganda from others, or are we responsible for spreading misinformation? We must uncover the truth,” he added.

Yunus stated, “We are not enemies of one another despite our differences.”

Yunus Alleges Misinformation by India

The interim government's position comes amid mounting tensions with India. Dhaka has accused New Delhi of spreading misinformation about the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Muhammad Yunus claimed that the Indian government exaggerated the situation for political gain. “They have spread these rumours in particular countries and among influential players,” Yunus remarked during a meeting with Bangladeshi political parties.

India’s increased criticism of Bangladesh’s caretaker government has focused on the alleged persecution of Hindus, a minority group in the Muslim-majority nation.

However, Muhammad Yunus and his government contend that the violence against the Hindu community is politically motivated, especially after Sheikh Hasina fled the nation and is living in India, rather than religiously driven.

Arrest of Hindu Monk in Bangladesh Fuels Protests

The controversy surrounding minority rights intensified after the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was charged with sedition over allegations of disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag.

Das, a former member of the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was taken into custody amid widespread protests.

The situation escalated, with the protests turning violent after Das was denied bail, leading to the tragic murder of a Muslim prosecutor.

Hindu groups have claimed that this event triggered a wider campaign of violence against their community. As a result, protests erupted in India, with thousands of Hindu priests marching towards the Bangladesh border in West Bengal.

These protests culminated in an attack on a Bangladeshi consulate in Tripura, India, which was condemned by the Indian government.

Bangladesh’s Response to Indian Allegations

The Bangladesh interim government has firmly rejected accusations from India regarding widespread anti-Hindu violence.

Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Yunus, said, “Clearly, there is an orchestrated attempt to undermine the interim government led by 2006 Nobel peace laureate professor Muhammad Yunus.”

He further accused certain Indian media outlets of supporting the ousted government of Sheikh Hasina and spreading false narratives about the situation in Bangladesh.

Yunus also claimed that the recent attacks on Hindus were politically motivated, as many members of the Hindu community were supporters of ousted former PM Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party. 

Muhammad Yunus explained that the violence followed the fall of Hasina’s government, with the Hindu community inadvertently caught up in the wider political unrest.