Bengaluru, March 22 (IANS) The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) on Saturday said that Hindus in Bangladesh are the responsibility of India, and “we cannot evade this duty”.
Arun Kumar, the Joint General Secretary of the RSS, made the statement in Bengaluru while addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS).
In response to a question about whether persecuted Hindus should be accepted by India, Arun Kumar made a categorical statement: “The Hindu community in Bangladesh is our responsibility. We cannot escape from it. The Bharat that we proudly call our country has been shaped equally by Hindus from Bangladesh as much as by those from within India.”
He further said: “Hindus in Bangladesh should live in peace and happiness. They should contribute to their country, but if, in the future, a difficult situation arises, we cannot backtrack. If that situation comes, we will address it.”
He emphasised that India and Bangladesh share a common history and civilization.
“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 wish is that wherever they are, they live with dignity, security, and religious identity. We must make efforts towards achieving this,” he stressed.
Expressing concern over the situation in Bangladesh, he stated: “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 are Hindus and other minorities. The persecution of Hindus and minorities is not new.
“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.”
He further noted: “Those responsible for this violence are attempting to make it not only anti-Hindu but also anti-Bharat. 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 Bharat and its neighbours.”
He also claimed that “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”.
When asked whether the RSS is satisfied with the Central government’s response to the situation in Bangladesh, he replied: “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,” he added.
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 don’t think it is necessary for any other nation to interfere in that matter.”
–IANS
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