The Congress has expressed deep concern over the safety of minorities and the erosion of communal harmony, and linked the recent violence against Hindus in Bangladesh to incidents targeting Christians in India during Christmas celebrations.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Kheda raised the question whether the country is in danger of facing a situation like Bangladesh, where minorities have faced mob violence?
He told news agency ANI, “Do we want India to become like Bangladesh? Since there are atrocities against minorities there, will we also commit atrocities against minorities here? What kind of India do we want?”
Kheda condemned the incident as inflammatory religious conduct and argued that religion should not be used to intimidate or target others.
He said, “Celebrate your festivals, but on Hanuman Jayanti, what is the need to go out and dance outside the mosque while playing inflammatory songs? Recite Hanuman Chalisa. I also recite it twice a day.”
He further said, “But if it is Christmas, what do you want to prove by going outside their church and reciting Hanuman Chalisa? This cannot be my religion. Neither is this my country nor my civilization.”
His comments come in the wake of several reports of Christians being allegedly targeted by Hindu organizations during Christmas in many parts of India.
In Assam, miscreants damaged religious symbols and festive decorations at St. Mary’s English School in Nalbari district ahead of Christmas. Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Chosh condemned the incident, accusing right-wing organizations like Bajrang Dal of targeting other religions and acting against constitutional values.
These domestic incidents coincide with growing outrage in India over violence against Hindus in Bangladesh. According to Bangladeshi daily ‘The Daily Star’, a Hindu man, Amrit Mandal alias Samrat, was beaten to death by a mob in Rajbari district for allegedly attempting extortion.
Earlier, Dipu Chandra Das, a factory worker in Mymensingh district, was beaten to death by a mob, sparking widespread criticism and protests.
The developments led India to summon Bangladesh’s High Commissioner for the second time in a week, highlighting the strain in bilateral ties amid concerns over the safety of minorities.
Hindu organizations held demonstrations across India, in several cities including New Delhi, Noida and Kolkata, to protest against the violence in Bangladesh. Tension escalated in some demonstrations, leading police to resort to arrests and lathicharge to maintain order near Bangladeshi diplomatic embassies.