Indian Ministry of External Affairs Blames Bangladesh Over Hindu Killing

India on Friday expressed concern over the killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, describing recent incidents involving minority communities as “worrisome” and unacceptable.

Addressing a media briefing, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said India is closely monitoring the situation in Bangladesh and condemned the killing of a Hindu man in Mymensingh, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Jaiswal said continued hostility against minorities - including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists - by extremist elements is a matter of deep concern. He claimed that during the tenure of Bangladesh’s interim government, more than 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities were documented from independent sources, including murder, arson, and land-grabbing. He emphasized that such incidents cannot be dismissed as media exaggeration or routine political violence.

The spokesperson also reiterated India’s position that it supports free, fair, inclusive, and participatory elections in Bangladesh conducted in a peaceful environment. Commenting on the return of Tarique Rahman, Jaiswal said the issue should be viewed within the broader context of Bangladesh’s democratic process.

Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, also condemned the killing in a statement, stressing that it does not support any form of mob violence or illegal activity. The administration clarified that the incident in Rajbari was not communal in nature but linked to extortion allegations and criminal activities, adding that legal action would be taken against all those involved.

Regarding recent attacks on Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, Jaiswal said India’s position on Bangladesh has been “clear and consistent,” adding that New Delhi seeks stronger ties with the Bangladeshi people and supports peace and stability in the country.