Kolkata: Bringing up the issue of violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh during the violent anti-quota protests and the chaotic events of Monday that saw Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigning and fleeing the country, West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari urged the people to give refuge to “1 crore Bangladeshi Hindus” in India.
Speaking to reporters in Kolkata in the volatile situation in the neighbouring country, Adhikari claimed Hindus are being slaughtered in the ongoing violent unrest in Bangladesh and more than one crore of them are likely to enter West Bengal soon.
He further demanded that such people be granted the Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) by the Centre.
“Hindus are being slaughtered in Bangladesh. If the situation in Bangladesh is not brought under control in the next few days, then the people of Bengal should be ready to accept more than one crore refugees just like 1947 or the 1971 Liberation War,” he said.
Adhikari, the Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly, urged Governor CV Ananda Bose and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to immediately engage with the Centre regarding the issue. “The refugees must be granted Indian citizenship under the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA),” he stated.
Bangladesh descended into chaos on Monday as Sheikh Hasina hurriedly resigned and fled the country on a military aircraft, leaving a power vacuum that the army quickly filled following days of deadly unrest that has left over 300 people dead.
As news of Hasina’s departure spread, hundreds of people broke into her residence, vandalizing and looting the interiors. The responsibility now falls on the army, which has declared its intention to form an interim government and restore order. Meanwhile, President Mohammed Shahabuddin has ordered the release of Khaleda Zia, Hasina’s predecessor.
At the heart of the unrest in Bangladesh is the demand to scrap the quota in government jobs and educational institutions for the kin of the country’s freedom fighters.
| Bangladesh Political Crisis: Full Coverage |
| Assassinations, military coups: Timeline of Bangladesh’s violent political history |
|
Who is Muhammad Yunus: The Nobel laureate set to be chief adviser of Bangladesh’s interim govt |
| Live Updates: Parliament to be dissolved today, all eyes on Army chief’s meetings |
| What next for ex-Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina after fleeing from country |
