Md Touhid Hossain, the foreign affairs advisor of Bangladesh, on Tuesday said that the country’s interim government is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of its citizens adding that “Hindus in Bangladesh are also our citizens.”
“Any violence that has taken place is being shown as violence against Hindus, this is not correct.I think Indian media needs to come out of this hyping up this issue. We are doing everything possible for the protection of our citizens, and Hindus in Bangladesh are our citizens, we are taking care of them,” Hossain said on the reported attacks on minorities and Hindus in Bangladesh and the actions taken by the interim government led by Mohammad Yunus.
Bangladesh recently experienced political upheaval, with the removal of Sheikh Hasina from power amidst widespread student protests that escalated into a nationwide anti-government movement. Subsequently, an interim government was formed to manage the country. During this period of instability, various incidents of violence and disorder have been reported, with minorities, including Hindus, being targeted.
As Muhammad Yunus, the chief advisor to the Bangladesh Government, reached the official hotel in New York for the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session, he was met with protesters chanting slogans against him. The protesters shouted, “Go back, Step down, Step down, Step down” and displayed posters stating “Shiekh Hasina Our Prime Minister.” The demonstrators accused Yunus of being involved in alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
The 84-year-old Nobel Laureate assumed the position of head of an interim government on August 8, following Sheikh Hasina’s departure from the country and the dissolution of the parliament. The protesters claimed that Yunus acquired power through “dirty politics” and in an unconstitutional and illegal manner.
“Muhammad Yunus took the power unconstitutionally, illegally. He captured power with dirty politics and a lot of people have been killed. So far, our elected PM Sheikh Hasina has not resigned. We request UN humbly that he did not represent Bangladeshi people here,” a protestor, told news agency ANI.
Md Touhid Hossain met with external affairs minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York on Monday. During the meeting, Hossain said, “All the aspects of bilateral relations were discussed.” Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also released details about the discussions between the two leaders.
Sharing a post on X, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “Foreign Affairs Adviser, HE Md. Touhid Hossain and External Affairs Minister, HE @DrSJaishankar, met at #UNGA79 sidelines and discussed issues of mutual interest between #Bangladesh|#India.”
In a separate post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, “Had a meeting with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of Bangladesh in New York this evening. The conversation focussed on our bilateral ties.”
According to the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Younus has several high-profile meetings scheduled on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), including one with US President Joe Biden on Tuesday, as per Dhaka Tribune reports. He is also set to address the General Debate of the UNGA on September 27.