Hindus in Bangladesh are India’s responsibility, cannot evade that : RSS

RSS’s Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha makes its stand clear

Bengaluru (Karnataka) – The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha(ABPS) of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is currently underway here. During a press conference held as part of the meeting, RSS Joint General Secretary Arun Kumar asserted that the responsibility of Bangladesh’s Hindus lies with India, and the country cannot evade this duty.

In response to the question, “Should India accept persecuted Hindus?,” Arun Kumar firmly clarified,

1. The India that we proudly call our country has been shaped equally by Hindus from Bangladesh as much as by those from within India.

2. Hindus in Bangladesh must be able to live in peace and happiness, contributing to their nation. However, if they face any dire circumstances in the future, we (the Hindus in India) cannot abandon them. Should such a situation arise, we will take the necessary steps to address it.

3. It is unfortunate that the Partition happened in 1947. We divided the land, not the population. Both countries had agreed to protect minorities. The Nehru-Liaquat Pact was also signed. It is unfortunate that Bangladesh has not honoured it. Our desire is for Hindus in Bangladesh to live with dignity, safety, and religious identity where they reside. We must strive to achieve this.

4. This should not be viewed as a political issue. The regime has changed, but that alone is not the reason for the violence. There is a religious aspect to it. The primary and continuous targets (of extremism there) are Hindus and other minorities. The persecution of Hindus and minorities is not new.

5. This is an existential crisis for the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Recent violence has revealed that the Bangladeshi Government and its institutions are involved in attacks against Hindus and minorities, which is a serious concern.

6. The perpetrators of this violence are attempting to make it not only anti-Hindu but also anti-India. Several leaders have made statements in this regard. We share a cultural and historical bond with our neighbouring countries spanning thousands of years. There is an attempt to create distrust and discord between India and its neighbours. Many international forces are behind this. We have discussed the role of Pakistan and the ‘American Deep State.’ A call has been made to stand in solidarity with the Hindu community in Bangladesh.

Efforts must continue until normalcy is fully restored

When asked whether the RSS is satisfied with the Indian Government’s response to the situation in Bangladesh, Arun Kumar said, “This is a continuous process; the issue has not been fully resolved. The Government is doing its job, and we have urged it to take all possible actions. We are satisfied that the Union Government has understood the seriousness of the issue, sent the Minister of External Affairs to various locations, engaged in one-on-one discussions, and utilised international platforms. We have mentioned this concern in our resolution. Efforts must continue until normalcy is fully restored.”

When asked whether India should intervene to reinstate former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Arun Kumar stated, “The people of Bangladesh will decide on reinstating Sheikh Hasina. They have their own constitution and system. I do not think it is necessary for any other nation to interfere in that matter.”