Yunus dials Modi, assures protection of Hindus, minorities in B'desh

In his first direct contact with New Delhi over a week after becoming the head of Bangladesh's interim government, Nobel Laureate Mohammad Yunus on Friday conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a phone conversation that Dhaka would prioritise the protection and safety of Hindus and all other minority groups.

In the talks initiated by Yunus, Modi reaffirmed India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh and underlined the importance of ensuring the safety of Hindus and other minority communities in the violence-hit country.

The assurance by Yunus came a day after Modi, in his Independence Day speech, said 140 crore Indians are concerned over the safety of Hindus and minorities in the neighbouring country.

"Received a telephone call from Professor Muhammad Yunus, @ChiefAdviserGoB. Exchanged views on the prevailing situation. Reiterated India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh," Modi said in a post on X.

"He assured protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minorities in Bangladesh," he said.

In a series of posts, Yunus's office said he conveyed to Modi that the situation in Bangladesh has been brought under control and life is becoming normal across the country.

It said, "Yunus said that the reports of attacks on the minorities have been exaggerated and he is inviting Indian journalists to visit Bangladesh and report from the ground on the issues of the minority protection."

"The Chief Adviser has told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his government is committed to safeguarding every citizen of the country including the minorities when the Indian Prime Minister raised the issue of the protection of the minorities," Yunus's office said.

It further added: "The Chief Adviser said his government is committed to making all state apparatus fully functional and effective and ensuring human rights for every citizen of the country."

"He said his Interim Government has taken over as a result of the student movement. This is a Second Revolution of Bangladesh and his government will fulfill the desire of the democratic aspirations of the students and people," his office said.

It said Modi invited Yunus to join the third Voice of Global South Summit to be hosted virtually by New Delhi on August 17.

"The chief adviser has agreed to join the summit virtually from Dhaka," it said.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the two leaders also discussed ways to take the bilateral relationship forward in line with the "respective national priorities".

"During the call, the prime minister reaffirmed India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. He emphasised India's commitment to supporting the people of Bangladesh through various development initiatives," it said.

"The prime minister also underlined the importance of ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities in Bangladesh," it said.

"Prof. Yunus, in turn, assured that the Interim Government would prioritise protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minority groups in Bangladesh," the MEA said.

There have been mounting concerns in New Delhi over widespread incidents of attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India on August 5 following weeks of violent unrest.

Days after Hasina fled to India, the interim government, headed by Nobel-laureate Yunus, was sworn in on August 8, along with 16 advisers.

At a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India is looking forward to working with Bangladesh's interim government to "fulfil the shared aspirations" of the people of the two countries for peace, security and development.

On the reports of attacks on Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh, he said India is monitoring the situation.

"Our high commissioner met the foreign affairs advisor of the interim government. In the meeting, there were discussions on safety of Hindus and minorities. We hope the situation returns to normal as soon as possible," Jaiswal said.

To a question on how long former prime minister Sheikh Hasina will stay in India," he said: "The approval for former PM Sheikh Hasina to come to India was granted at short notice. The situation is still evolving at this stage, we have nothing new to share about her plans." The MEA spokesperson also said that normal trade between India and Bangladesh has begun.

On Tuesday, Yunus reached out to Hindus in Bangladesh as he visited the Dhakeshwari temple in Dhaka and said his government would punish those who attacked the minority community members.

Hasina (76), who ruled Bangladesh with an iron hand for 15 years, resigned as the prime minister following massive protests that initially began as an agitation against a job-quota scheme but weeks later, morphed into a mass movement demanding her ouster from power.

The controversial quota system provided for 30 percent reservation in civil services jobs for the families of veterans who fought the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

According to reports from Dhaka, nearly 500 people were killed in weeks of violent clashes before Hasina's resignation.

In his Independence Day speech from the ramparts of the Red Fort in the national capital, Modi said on Thursday that India is committed to peace and that it will remain a well-wisher of Bangladesh in its development journey.

"As a neighbouring country, I can understand the concern regarding whatever has happened in Bangladesh. I hope that the situation there will become normal soon," Modi said.

"In particular, the concerns of 140 crore countrymen is that the safety and security of Hindus and minorities there is ensured. India always wants the neighbouring country to march on the path of peace and prosperity," he said.