Question : Attack on Hindus in Bangladesh

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the incidents of threats and attacks on Hindus and their institutions in South Asian countries have increased particularly in Bangladesh and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether these attacks are being made by organised international groups;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the diplomatic efforts being made by the Government to stop these attacks/threats; and

(d) whether the Government is taking initiative to tackle this issue in consultation with the respective Governments and if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) & (b) There have been a number of targeted attacks on bloggers, writers and professors, publishers and minorities in Bangladesh over the last year and a half. During this period, several incidents of violent attacks on members of the Hindu community, including on their places of worship and their properties, have been reported. Although Islamic State (IS) and Al Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) are reported to have claimed responsibility for a number of such killings, the Government of Bangladesh has repeatedly denied the presence of these international terrorist groups and has emphasized that local extremist groups were responsible for these incidents.

(c) & (d) The Government of India has conveyed our concerns in this regard to the Government of Bangladesh at various levels, including in a regular manner through our High Commission in Dhaka. The Government of Bangladesh has assured us that it accords top priority to containing the proliferation of terrorist activities inside Bangladesh and their expansion beyond the borders of Bangladesh. It has also underlined its commitment to a policy of zero tolerance towards terrorism and has reiterated its determination to investigate these incidents and apprehend the perpetrators of these atrocities.