Amid violence against the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson said he is against any racially based attacks or violence. “We have made it clear, we want to ensure that the violence that has been taking place in Bangladesh in recent weeks is pacified. Of course, we are against any racially based attacks or inciting racially based violence,” Secretary-General’s Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq said on Thursday.
He was responding to a question on the Secretary-General’s reaction to attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. Several Hindu temples, homes and businesses have been targeted since violence broke out in Bangladesh.
232 people died in the violence
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At least two Hindu leaders associated with the Awami League party of former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have been killed in the violence. On Monday, the anti-reservation movement in Bangladesh turned violent, after which Sheikh Hasina had to resign from the post of PM and flee the country.
Since Hasina left the country, Bangladesh media reports have highlighted several cases of violence against minorities, including large-scale vandalism at the residence of Rahul Anand, head of the popular folk band Jollar Gaan, on Monday.
After the attack, the singer and his family were forced to go into hiding. However, Hindus are not the only ones who have been targeted. At least 232 people were killed in incidents of violence that erupted in Bangladesh on Monday.
Sheikh Hasina is currently in India
As Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as head of the interim government, Farhan Haq referred to the UN’s hopes for “an inclusive process of government formation.” “Our hopes remain. Of course, a reduction in violence and more restraint among the people is a good thing,” he said.
Sheikh Hasina is currently living in India but there is confusion about where she will go. It is not clear yet whether she will stay in India, seek asylum in another country or return to Bangladesh.
Will Sheikh Hasina return to Bangladesh?
Meanwhile, her son Sajeeb Wazed had recently said that his mother would return to her homeland as soon as democracy is restored in Bangladesh. No statement has come from Sheikh Hasina after fleeing Bangladesh, however, her son Sajeeb Wazed is constantly talking to the media. He has thanked the Indian government for protecting his mother and expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He has also dismissed reports that Sheikh Hasina has sought political asylum in Britain.
Formation of interim government in Bangladesh
Meanwhile, on Thursday evening, Bangladesh’s Nobel Peace Prize winning economist Mohammad Yunus took oath as the head of the interim government of Bangladesh. He was sworn in by President Mohammad Shahabuddin. After taking the oath, Yunus said that I will protect, support and preserve the Constitution.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)