New Delhi: BJP leader RP Singh has issued a strong call for the next government in Bangladesh to put an end to atrocities against Hindus following the country’s parliamentary elections. Speaking exclusively to IANS, Singh expressed hope that the elections were conducted democratically and that the incoming administration would ensure no further violence against the Hindu minority.
Singh emphasized the urgent need for protection, stating that the new leadership must guarantee that Hindus, who have faced ongoing persecution, are safeguarded under the rule of law. This comes amid reports of targeted attacks and displacement of Hindu communities in Bangladesh, highlighting a deepening crisis for religious minorities in the region.
Shifting focus to domestic issues, Singh addressed the controversy surrounding former Army Chief General Naravane’s book. He pointed out that under the Official Secrets Act, any publication by a military general requires clearance from the Ministry of Defence, which was notably absent in this case. The publisher has clarified they did not print the book, a fact acknowledged by Naravane himself. Singh criticized attempts to reference leaked excerpts, calling it a violation of constitutional norms and the Secrets Act. He urged strict police action against those responsible.
On Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind’s opposition to singing ‘Vande Mataram,’ Singh accused leader Arshad Madani of aligning with Congress narratives. Madani has vowed to challenge the national song in court, deeming it anti-Islamic and a forced imposition that infringes on religious freedoms. Singh countered by questioning similar practices in countries like Turkey, suggesting this is part of a broader ecosystem built by Congress to stoke divisions.
Madani’s statement on X labeled the mandate to sing full verses of ‘Vande Mataram’ in government events, schools, and colleges as biased, an assault on constitutional religious liberty, and an attempt to strip minority rights. As political tensions rise, Singh’s remarks underscore the BJP’s firm stance on national unity and minority protections abroad.