'Moment Of Deep Concern': Priti Parel Urges UK Govt For Action Against Bangladesh Violence

Last Updated:December 03, 2024, 12:21 IST

Priti Patel has expressed deep concern over the rising violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, urging the UK government to take action and engage with Bangladeshi authorities.

ISKCON devotees and members protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Mumbai (Photo: AFP)

Indian-origin former UK interior minister Priti Patel has called on the British government to take action to protect the lives of the people in Bangladesh amid rising attacks on Hindus in the country. In an X post, Patel said she raised the issue in the British Parliament.

“I am deeply concerned by the awful violence we have seen in Bangladesh, and my thoughts are with those affected," Priti Patel’s post on X read.

“In Parliament this afternoon, I called on the government to set out how they are engaging with the Bangladeshi government on this pressing and important issue."

“Robust action needs to be taken to protect life and prevent violence and persecution, including based on religious belief," she added.

Patel also shared a video of her Parliament briefing, wherein she was heard saying, “It’s an important issue, the arrest of an ISKCON leader, and it’s a place of worship too."

“There are deep and longstanding ties between our two countries, and the degree of escalation of the violence is deeply deeply concerning. And what we are witnessing now is just uncontrolled violence in many quarters. And we are now watching with horror and shock as further violence has spread in Bangladesh," she was heard saying.

“And all our thoughts in this House are most definitely with the diaspora community here and those who are affected in Bangladesh," she said.

“So, given the current instability in Bangladesh, and since the departure of the former Prime Minister in August, this is a moment of deep concern. Many governments are condemning the violence and calling for peace and law and order to be restored," Patel said at the British Parliament.

As the unrest in Bangladesh continues to rise following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on November 25, thousands of people took out a massive demonstration near the Bangladeshi mission in Agartala on December 2.

The protesters reportedly barged into the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh and allegedly resorted to vandalism, an incident the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described as “deeply regrettable".

On Tuesday, the Delhi Police stepped up security around the Bangladesh High Commission in Chanakyapuri, news agency PTI reported.

News world 'Moment Of Deep Concern': Priti Parel Urges UK Govt For Action Against Bangladesh Violence