GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2524

TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.11.2016

ATTACKS ON HINDUS IN BANGLADESH

2524. SHRI CHHEDI PASWAN:

SHRI ANANTKUMAR HEGDE

: SHRIMATI RANJANBEN BHATT:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the incidents of setting ablaze the houses of Hindus and vandalising of temples in Bangladesh have come to the notice of the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the losses suffered by Hindus in Bangladesh;

(c) the details of such attacks on the Hindus and their worshipping sites in Bangladesh in the last three years and whether such incidents and issues regarding taking actions against such miscreants have been raised before the Government of Bangladesh; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (d) Sporadic incidents of violence against members of the minority community including on their properties and places of worship, have been reported in Bangladesh. These include recent attacks in which several houses and a few Hindu temples were vandalized.

The primary responsibility for the protection of life and liberty of all citizens of Bangladesh, including minorities, rests with the Government of Bangladesh. India’s concerns and sensitivities with regard to such incidents have been conveyed to the Bangladesh Government, including at the highest political levels. Government of Bangladesh has made it clear that it takes these attacks very seriously and that stern action would be taken against perpetrators.