Spiritual leader Lokesh Muni on Friday urged the Indian government to give a "befitting" response to Bangladesh over the killing of two Hindus in the neighbouring country.

"The way two murders happened in Bangladesh is way beyond the tolerance level. The Indian government should give Bangladesh a befitting answer that no one should do such things again," Muni told ANI.

(ANI)

12 people were arrested in West Bengal's Kolkata on Friday for protesting against the atrocities being committed against minorities in Bangladesh.

The pro-Hindu activists, who carried out a rally and sat outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission office in Kolkata, were produced before the Alipore Police Court.

The court granted them bail on a bond of Rs 3,000 each.

(ANI)

On the return of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman's after 17 years, Former Diplomat Rajiv Bhatia said that his return can be assessed in a positive manner as Rahman has spoken about a peaceful and inclusive Bangladesh and said it remains to be seen what Rahman does in the country.

In an interview to ANI, Bhatia said, "Based on what we know about Tarique Rahman and his parents- one of whom was the President of Bangladesh, and the other who served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, we can say tentatively that we assess his return in a positive manner. There are just a handful of political parties in that country. The BNP is probably the largest and most influential (in Bangladesh) at this time... It (his return) is good for the party and therefore for the country."

(ANI)

Telangana Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Ramchander Rao on Friday claimed that the reported lynching of minorities in Bangladesh appears to be organised and is on the rise.

He highlighted the failure of the Bangladesh government and its administration to stop the violent attacks against minorities.

"The lynching of Hindus and minorities is on the increase. The Bangladesh government and administration are not able to stop it. It appears to be an organised incident that is happening against the Hindus. The entire nation stands by the minorities of Bangladesh," Rao told ANI.

(ANI)

Congress MP Imran Masood on Friday said that Bangladesh is gradually becoming a hub of anti-India sentiment and called for practical steps to address this situation.

Speaking to ANI, the Congress MP condemned the attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, saying that targeting and persecuting people in the name of religion is very wrong.

(ANI)

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reiterated India's consistent support for democratic processes in Bangladesh, stressing its call for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in the neighbouring country.

Outlining New Delhi's position, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "India stands for strengthening our ties with the people of Bangladesh. We favour peace and stability in Bangladesh and have consistently called for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections in Bangladesh."

(ANI)

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Friday visited the grave of his father and Bangladesh's former president Ziaur Rahman in Dhaka, 17 years after he returned home from self-exile in the UK.

The 60-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman returned to the country on Thursday after living in London since 2008.

(PTI)

India has reacted sharply to the latest killing of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, describing a string of recent incidents targeting members of the minority community as "worrisome" and warning that such violence cannot be ignored.

A lawyer aligned with the pro-Pakistan Jamaat-E-Islami Bangladesh has issued a death threat to Tarique Rahman, just hours after the Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader landed in the country after 17 years in exile.

The MEA said that over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities were documented in Bangladesh by independent sources during the tenure of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.

Responding to questions on the return of Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), after nearly 17 years in self-imposed exile, the External Affairs Ministry said that India supports free and fair elections in Bangladesh. 

"India supports free and fair elections in Bangladesh, and this development should be seen in that context," Randhir Jaiswal said. 

The general election in Bangladesh is scheduled to be held on 12 February 2026. 

The External Affairs Ministry said that crimes against minorities in Bangladesh are a matter of "grave concern."

"Regarding minorities, we are all aware of the recent developments. As far as law and order is concerned, the hostilities against minorities in Bangladesh – including Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists – are a matter of grave concern," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. 

The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday condemned the brutal killing of factory worker Dipu Chandra Das in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district. 

"We condemn the gruesome killing of a Hindu in Mymensingh and expect that the perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a press briefing. 

He added, "Regarding the anti-India rhetoric, we have issued a couple of statements. We have rejected the false narrative that has been projected in Bangladesh." 

He said that the matters concerning law and order in Bangladesh are the responsibility of its government. 

Former Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar on Friday strongly criticised the interim government in Bangladesh, accusing it of abetting "hatred of Hindus as an ideology" through appeasement of extremist forces amid a series of lynchings and attacks on minorities in the country.

Speaking to ANI on the issue of recent incidents of Hindu minorities lynched in Bangladesh, Akbar said Bangladesh is facing a "major crisis of appeasement", where what he described as those are indulging the country's most extreme forces in power.

He highlighted a broader governance failure under the current interim administration led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, alleging that such crimes are being abetted because the establishment is accommodating these elements in order to ensure its own political survival.

He further criticised the interim government, saying it has shown "absolutely no sense of governance".

"Bangladesh is going through a major crisis of appeasement. Appeasement of the most vicious forces in the country. People who believe in the hatred of Hindus as an ideology. They do not understand that hatred is not an ideology. But their crime is abetted by the fact that the establishment there is allowing it to survive. One of the great problems that the country is facing is that the present interim government has had absolutely no sense of governance," the former MoS said. (ANI)

A delegation of the Bangladesh National Hindu Mahajot, led by its General Secretary of the Central Executive Committee, Mrityunjoy Kumar Roy, visited the home of the Hindu Youth, Dipu Chandra Das, who was lynched by a mob on December 18, in Bangladesh's Mymensingh district.

The delegation, during the visit on Thursday in Mokamiyakannda village in the district, met with the family members of the victim and enquired about their condition and expressed deep condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family.

Dipu Chandra Das, a worker in a garment factory, was beaten to death by a mob over alleged blasphemy charges and had his body hanged and set on fire on December 18. (ANI)

Christmas Day saw the triumphant homecoming of Bangladesh's 'dark prince' - Tarique Rahman, the son of three-time former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a central figure in her Bangladesh Nationalist Party - after 17 years in self-exile.

Security agencies are keeping a close watch on the developments in Bangladesh as the radical National Armed Reserve (NAR) is set to come up. The unit would comprise over 8,000 radicalised youth of Bangladesh, and the aim would be to control the country by imposing the Sharia law, officials said.

The NRA is being set up to replace the police in the country. This unit will ensure the strict implementation of the Sharia law, Intelligence Bureau officials said.

This plan was set in motion by the ISI and the Pakistan army, and in the run-up to its setting up, several meetings have already taken place.

The plan by Pakistan is to have both a radical army and a police wing. The process of identifying persons in Bangladesh who have a complete Pakistan tilt and are highly radicalised has already begun, officials have learnt.

Currently, there are many within the army, including its chief, General Waker-Uz-Zaman, who feel that Bangladesh should be run democratically. This is the reason why the ISI is trying to restructure the Army and put people who are loyal to Pakistan at the helm. Pakistan has identified Brigadier (retd) Abdullahil Aman Azmi to oversee the process. (IANS)

Veteran actress Jaya Prada has voiced strong concern over the recent incidents of violence in Bangladesh.

Reacting to the murder of Deepu Chandra Das and the reported attacks on temples and women, she called the incident an embarrassment to humanity. On Friday, Jaya took to her Instagram handle and shared a video in which she slammed the incidents of violence. The veteran actress expressed anguish over what she described as growing atrocities against Hindus and urged people to break their silence and speak out against violence.

In the clip, Jaya said, “Today, I am very sad to think about how a human being can be subjected to so much cruelty. This is not just normal violence; it is an attack on humanity. Our temples are being destroyed, and the dignity of our sisters is being violated. How long will we remain silent? Are we going to stay quiet in the name of secularism? This violence must stop, and we all need to raise our voices. We should help all Hindus suffering in Bangladesh.” (IANS)

Several Indian celebrities have called for accountability over the mob lynching of a Hindu man in Bangladesh, where tensions keep simmering amid large-scale violence in the run-up to the general elections early next year.

Days after the lynching of Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh, another Hindu man has been beaten to death by a mob in Bangladesh, raising fresh concerns over the safety of minorities in the Muslim-dominated South Asian nation.

Bangladesh's assasinated radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi's brother has alleged that a section within the interim government of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus plotted the killing to derail the upcoming general election.

Amrit Mondal, a Hindu man, was lynched to death by a mob in Bangladesh’s Rajbari district. Reports claimed Mondal had gone to a villager’s home to demand extortion money when he was killed.

Police told The Daily Star that Mondal was allegedly part of a criminal gang involved in extortion and other criminal activities. Authorities said multiple cases, including a murder case, were pending against him.

Bangladesh Nationalist Party's acting chairman Tarique Rahman, who is also the son of former President Ziaur Rahman and former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, returned to Bangladesh on Thursday after 17 years in exile.

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday visited his mother, Bangladesh's ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, at a hospital, media reports said, marking their first reunion in the country in over 17 years.

Amrit Mondal was beaten up by locals when he, along with his group members, tried to extort money from a resident's house. Upon receiving information about the incident, police rushed to the spot and rescued Mondal in a critical condition.

He was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead around 2:00 am, Assistant Superintendent of Police (Pangsha Circle) Debrata Sarkar said.

Mondal's body was sent to Rajbari Sadar Hospital morgue for an autopsy, Sarkar said.

Most of his associates fled after the incident, but police arrested one man and recovered firearms from his possession.

According to the police, Mondal had at least two cases filed against him, including a murder case.

Condemning the killing, the interim government said in a statement that it "does not support any kind of illegal activities, mass beatings or violence,” the state-run BSS news agency reported. (PTI)

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman Tarique Rahman today asked the people of his troubled nation to work together for bringing peace and stability.

Bangladesh's assasinated radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi's brother has alleged that a section within the interim government of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus plotted the killing to derail the upcoming general election.

Amid spiralling violence against minorities in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, in a Christmas speech, has attacked the Yunus regime and said that the "current ruling group" has seized illegal power and is now subjecting minorities to "unspeakable torture"

Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday, ending 17 years in self-imposed exile with a promise to deliver safety and justice if his party wins next year's elections.

Huge crowds of joyous supporters waving flags, banners and posters welcomed Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and acting chairman of her popular Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

"Today, I want to say that I have a plan for my country... a safe state that people have long hoped for," Rahman, 60, said in a first speech after his homecoming.

"It is time we build a country together. This country belongs to the people in the hills and the plains, to Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and Hindus."

A visibly emotional Rahman earlier took off his shoes, stood on the grass outside the airport and scooped up soil as a mark of reverence to his motherland.

He waved to supporters before ducking into a convoy under tight security, according to video footage shared by his party.

BNP backers gathered in the capital Dhaka since the early morning, plastering the streets with banners and festoons bearing images of Rahman, who is expected to take the reins from his ailing mother.

The Bangladesh interim government on Thursday said it has taken note of the spread of what it termed "misleading information" on social media and by certain news outlets regarding the tragic killing that took place on Wednesday night in the Pangsha Police Station area of Rajbari.

In a statement, the interim government claimed that, based on police information and preliminary investigations, the incident was not related to communal violence.

"According to police information and preliminary investigations, it is clearly evident that the incident is in no way related to communal violence. Rather, it arose from a violent situation stemming from extortion and criminal activities. The deceased, Amrit Mondal alias Samrat, was a listed top criminal who had entered the area with the intent of collecting extortion money. At one stage, he lost his life during a clash with agitated local residents," the statement said.

The statement further alleged that Amrit Mondal alias Samrat was "accused" in several serious criminal cases.

"It is noteworthy that Amrit Mondal alias Samrat was accused in multiple serious criminal cases, including murder and extortion cases filed in 2023, and arrest warrants had been issued against him in those cases," it said.

According to the government, police arrested his associate, Selim, on the spot and recovered one foreign-made pistol and one pipe gun.

"Police arrested his associate, Selim, from the scene along with one foreign-made pistol and one pipe gun. Three cases have already been filed in connection with this incident, and law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation," the statement added.

The interim government condemned the killing and said it does not support any form of unlawful action.

"The government strongly condemns this killing. The government wishes to state unequivocally that it does not support any form of extrajudicial activity, mob violence, or unlawful conduct under any circumstances. Legal action will be taken against all those directly or indirectly involved in the incident," it said.

The statement also expressed concern over attempts to project the incident as a communal attack.

"At the same time, the government is deeply concerned that a vested group is attempting to portray the incident as a communal attack by highlighting the religious identity of the deceased. Such claims are entirely baseless, misleading, and driven by malicious intent. This type of propaganda has the potential to disrupt social harmony and deteriorate the law and order situation," it said.

Urging restraint, the government called on all concerned to act responsibly.

"The government urges all concerned to act responsibly and refrain from spreading misleading, provocative, or communal statements," the statement said. (ANI)

Saddam Hussain, president of the Bangladesh Students League, the student wing of the now-banned Bangladesh Awami League, said that there is a 'Talibanisation' happening in Bangladesh.

Speaking to ANI about the mob lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, Hussain said that Interim Government leader Muhammad Yunus was encouraging anti-India sentiments.

"Whatever happened in Bangladesh, the current illegal government is trying to blame the Indian government. He (Muhammad Yunus) is chanting the anti-India rhetoric so that he can appease the fundamental, extremist groups and cover up his domestic failure," he said.

(ANI)

Congress leader Husain Dalwai on Thursday condemned the lynching of religious minorities in Bangladesh and said that targeting minorities anywhere was wrong.

"What happened in Bangladesh is wrong, but similar lynching happens here in India as well, targeting minorities. Targeting minorities anywhere is wrong, and I condemn it," Dalwai told ANI.

(ANI)

Amid spiralling violence against minorities in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, in a Christmas speech, has attacked the Yunus regime and said that the "current ruling group" has seized illegal power and is now subjecting minorities to "unspeakable torture"

BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman on Thursday visited his mother, Bangladesh's ailing former prime minister Khaleda Zia, at a hospital, media reports said, marking their first reunion in the country in over 17 years.

The 60-year-old Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) acting chairman returned from self-exile in London earlier in the day, where he had been living since 2008.

He visited his mother, octogenarian BNP Chairperson Zia, at a private hospital in Dhaka, where she is undergoing treatment for multiple health issues, the state-run BSS news agency reported.

(PTI)

Assistant Superintendent of Police (Pangsha Circle) Debrata Sarkar said police rescued Samrat from the mob, and he was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead. 

Sarkar said Samrat had at least two cases registered against him at the Pangsha Police Station, including one of murder. 

One of Samrat's associates, Mohammed Selim, was arrested with a pistol and another gun.

Around 11 pm on Wednesday, Amrit Mondal and some other members of his gang allegedly went to the house of a villager, Shahidul Islam, to extort money from him. 

Family members began shouting that the gang members were robbers, and other villagers managed to catch hold of Samrat, who was beaten to death, while most other gang members managed to flee.

According to The Daily Star, Samrat was the leader of a criminal gang, called the 'Samrat Bahini', which was involved in extortion, among other activities.

Samrat had fled the country after Sheikh Hasina's ouster last year and had returned to his village, Hosendanga in Kalimohor union, recently. 

Another Hindu man has been beaten to death in Bangladesh, days after Dipu Chandra Das was lynched and his body was set ablaze, local media reported on Thursday.