Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus’ press secretary Shafikul Islam said Bangladesh witnessed violence in the “initial few days” and that the situation is under control now
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The press secretary to Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus on Friday said that Hindus are “safe” in the country and that the situation is “under control”.
Talking to CNN-News18, Yunus’ press secretary Shafikul Islam said, “An industrial-level disinformation campaign is going on. Hindus are safe in Bangladesh.”
He claimed that Bangladesh witnessed violence in the “initial few days” and that the situation is under control now.
India’s neighbour has been rocked by violent protests led by minorities after the Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested earlier this week on sedition charges and was denied bail.
“We will make sure Das gets a fair trial,” Islam said.
‘Iskcon will not be banned’
The press secretary said that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) will not be banned in Bangladesh.
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High Court in Bangladesh on Thursday refused to pass an order to ban ISKCON in the country after it came to know that authorities have taken necessary actions to address the matter.
A Supreme Court lawyer Md Monir Uddin presented newspaper reports before a high court bench and urged to issue a suo motu (voluntary) ban on ISKCON’s activities in Bangladesh.
The petition alleges that ISKCON has been involved in “radical activities” that “threaten” national security and stir communal violence, according to a report by Dhaka Tribune.
Islam said that the Indian government should not be involved in Bangladesh’s “internal matter” after the
Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement on the arrest of Das.
“The Indian government should not have issued a statement it is our internal matter. We never comment on what happens in India,” he said.
“This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings,” MEA said in a statement earlier this week.