The ongoing crisis in Bangladesh has prompted Congress stalwart Imran Masood to issue a stern warning to the Indian establishment: address the Hindu persecution or risk diplomatic isolation. Masood’s intervention sheds light on a humanitarian emergency unfolding just beyond India’s eastern frontier.
From Comilla to Jessore, Hindu enclaves report systematic targeting—properties razed, women harassed, and clerics threatened. Masood, in a televised interview, lambasted the government’s tepid response. ‘We cannot pretend this doesn’t affect us. These are shared cultural ties, and atrocities demand a forceful reply,’ he asserted.
Contextually, the upheaval stems from the August revolution that toppled Hasina’s regime, unleashing pent-up Islamist fervor. Bangladesh’s administration, led by Yunus, faces accusations of leniency toward perpetrators. Indian officials have conveyed ‘deep concern’ privately, but Masood seeks public accountability, including UN involvement.
Masood’s advocacy taps into domestic sentiments, where Hindu groups rally under banners demanding justice. He proposed a multi-pronged strategy: bolstering border security, accelerating visa relaxations for refugees, and leveraging SAARC platforms.
As the story unfolds, Masood’s voice amplifies a narrative of neglect, challenging India’s image as a regional protector. With elections looming in key states, this could become a flashpoint, forcing a recalibration of foreign policy priorities.