Bangladesh Unrest: Opposition Parties Back Government and Call for Safe Return of Indian Nationals
New Delhi [India], August 6: After External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed Parliament on the political unrest in Bangladesh, opposition parties have voiced their support for the government while emphasizing the need for the safe return of Indian nationals stranded in the neighboring country.
Jaishankar reported that approximately 19,000 Indian nationals, including about 9,000 students, are currently in Bangladesh. He assured that the government is maintaining close contact with the Indian community in Dhaka. "We are in continuous touch with our community there. Most of the students returned in July," he said.
Congress MP KC Venugopal expressed concern about the situation and awaited further government action. "Everyone is worried about the situation in Bangladesh and its impact on Indians there. We expect the government to take proactive measures," he stated.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi praised Jaishankar’s mature handling of the situation and urged swift action to restore normalcy in Bangladesh and ensure the safe return of Indian nationals. "The statement was an indication of the government's awareness and readiness to address challenges, given Bangladesh's proximity and current issues with Pakistan," she noted.
Congress's Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, advocated for regular all-party meetings to stay updated on evolving situations. "We found the EAM's statement to be sensitive and believe that ongoing all-party discussions are crucial," he said.
BJD MP Sasmit Patra affirmed that opposition parties are committed to supporting the government's efforts. "The situation is tragic, and we trust the Government of India is working towards a resolution," he remarked.
West Bengal Leader of Opposition and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari highlighted the situation of minorities in Bangladesh, emphasizing the relevance of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). "The attacks on minority Hindus and temples in Bangladesh underscore the importance of CAA," he stated.
BJP MP Dinesh Sharma expressed hope for normalization and safety for minorities in Bangladesh. "We are hopeful that the situation will stabilize soon and that minorities will be protected," he said.
BJP MP Raju Bista conveyed sympathy for the people of Bangladesh and expressed concern about potential increases in border infiltrations. "We are worried about possible rises in infiltrations due to the unrest," he added.
Gujarat Education Minister Praful Pansheriya confirmed that 20 students from Bangladesh studying at Gujarat University are safe. "The University and Government of Gujarat have ensured their security. All are safe," he said.
Yog Guru Baba Ramdev voiced concerns about the safety of Hindus and Hindu temples in Bangladesh, praising the unity between the Opposition and the Government. "This unity is crucial given the spread of radicalism and its proximity to India," he said.
Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Clyde Crasto urged the central government to ensure the safe return of Indian students from Bangladesh. "The situation is sensitive and could impact neighboring countries. The government must ensure the safe return of Indian students," he said.
Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing expressed concerns about attacks on religious sites in Bangladesh and called for protection of Sikh Gurdwaras and Hindu temples. He also mentioned that former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested urgent approval to come to India and arrived on Monday evening.
Jaishankar reiterated that the situation in Bangladesh is evolving and that border forces are on high alert. "We are in regular contact with authorities in Dhaka and monitoring the situation closely," he concluded.