TDS Desk:

Against the backdrop of reports of violence against minority communities in Bangladesh, India’s main opposition Congress has called upon the interim government’s Chief Caretaker Dr Mohammad Yunus to take “forceful steps” to deal with the situation.

Congress Communications Chief Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X that “while noting that there have been influential voices within Bangladesh calling for the preservation of the country’s multi-religious heritage, the Indian National Congress expresses its concern at reports of targeted attacks on minorities there and their properties and places of worship.”

“The Indian National Congress hopes that the interim government in Bangladesh will take forceful steps to instill confidence in minority communities to lead their lives in an atmosphere of security, dignity and harmony,” Ramesh said on 11 August.

Congress’ reaction came after BJP MP Anurag Thakur had last week attacked the opposition party accusing it of remaining “silent” on the developments in Bangladesh.

Ramesh, in a tweet earlier, congratulated Yunus on being appointed the head of the interim government and recalled that former Indian PM Manmohan Singh “has been a great admirer of his (Yunus) work.

Congress lawmaker from Kerala Shashi Tharoor today shared a photo on his official X handle an image of the destruction of the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex in Mujibnagar in Bangladesh and urged the interim government of Mohd Yunus to take steps to restore law and order.

“Sad to see images like this of statues at the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex, Mujibnagar, destroyed by anti-India vandals. This follows disgraceful attacks on the Indian cultural centre, temples and Hindu homes in several places, even as reports came in of Muslim civilians protecting other minority homes and places of worship,” Tharoor tweeted.

“The agenda of some of the agitators is quite clear. It is essential that Yunus and his interim government take urgent steps to restore law & order in the interests of all Bangladeshis, of every faith.”

“India,” he added, “stands with the people of Bangladesh at this turbulent time, but such anarchic excess can never be condoned.”

Meanwhile, the Commonwealth Journalists Association has urged the interim government to take “swift action” to ensure the safety of journalists and media houses in Bangladesh.

The CJA alleged in a statement that several media houses were attacked by “violent intruders” last week. The media houses targeted included TV channels Ekattor TV, Somoy TV, ATN News and ATN Bangla.