'Speak to them in language they understand': TMC's Abhishek Banerjee urges Centre to address human rights violations in Bangladesh
Times of India | 2 January 2025
TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee KOLKATA/DIAMOND HARBOUR: Trinamool Congress general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday asked the Centre to take the matter of human rights violations with the interim government of Bangladesh.
The leader urged the Narendra Modi government to speak to Bangladesh "in the language they understand."
He also slammed the Mohammed Yusuf government after a Bangladeshi court rejected the bail plea of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.
“It is sad. The government of India should immediately take up the matter with the interim government of Bangladesh and should speak in the language they understand. What is happening in Bangladesh is a blatant violation of human rights. This can’t go on forever. The UNHCR should also take it up sternly and strongly with the Bangladesh govt,” Banerjee said.
Banerjee added that following the “kind of atrocities and anarchy that is going across Bangladesh, the union govt’s silence is only adding to the speculation.”
“The PM has always boasted about masculinity and a 56-inch chest. Now we want to see the Union govt issue a reply to Bangladesh in the language they understand. What is stopping them? Our party has made our stand very clear from day one. Whatever step the Union govt takes, TMC as a party will always support for the safety and security of the nation,” he said.
Taking a further dig at the BJP-led govt, Banerjee asked why they were so mute and soft-spoken about the oppression of Hindus happening in Bangladesh for so many weeks.
“It’s startling to see the party that claims to be the protector of Hinduism being a silent spectator as incidents of oppression against Hindus are being reported in Bangladesh for so many days now. Since our govt hasn't taken it up strictly, they are taking advantage of the situation and are continuing the oppression,” he said.
Banerjee also wondered if the BJP was silent over the issue since there is no election around the corner.
“Prior to the Lok Sabha election, BJP was vocal about NRC and CAA. Now when the Hindus are actually tortured in Bangladesh, why are they silent? Is it because there is no election anytime soon? Anarchy is going on in Bangladesh since August 5. But did the centre even allot five minutes in these five months to think about the issue?” asked Banerjee.
Banerjee was also vocal about India’s alleged poor relations with neighbours.
“Although I don’t want to comment on the foreign policy of the nation, it pains me to see how our country has developed a bitter relation with all our neighbours,” said Banerjee, who also happens to be a member of the Standing Committee of External Affairs.
Banerjee rued how the foreign secretary or the foreign affairs minister or the PM, after the foreign secretary’s visit to Bangladesh last month, didn’t issue any statement in Parliament.
“Before 2014, have we ever come across a situation when a country like Bangladesh would threaten our nation? The India govt’s silence is only encouraging them. Silence is often seen as agreement. If India was not there, they would still have remained as East Pakistan. Those who don’t accept India’s contribution to their independence should be given a befitting reply in the language they understand,” he said.
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