TDS Desk:

Indian opposition politician Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday led a protest against alleged widespread attacks on minority Hindus and Christians in Bangladesh as she sought to reap political benefits from the Indian disinformation campaign aimed at destabilising the country’s smaller neighbour.

In the Indian parliament, Congress lawmakers Priyanka and others from her party carried bags inscribed with messages criticising the unfounded attacks on Bangladeshi religious minority groups.

The Congress lawmakers also carried placards displaying messages against “atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh,” reports Times of India and The Hindu.

Since the 5 August ouster of pro-Indian dictator Sheikh Hasina, Indian media outlets, the Hindu nationalist ruling party’s members and some government officials have been repeatedly publicising trumped up reports of attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus.

Many of the reports have been traced to original incidents of criminal attacks within India.

The Indian opposition parties have been trying to catch up as they seek to retain, and potentially expand, their voter base in India’s majority Hindus.

“The government should address the atrocities happening in Bangladesh against minorities and Hindus. Talks should be held with the Bangladesh government,” Priyanka told reporters in the Parliament premises on Tuesday.

Taking to X, Priyanka also shared the image of her carrying the “protest bag” with a couplet in Sanskrit.

“This is mine, that is yours, say those of narrow minds. For the noble-hearted, however, the entire world is one family,” she said.