Kannur: The ongoing atrocities by Islamic extremists against minorities in Bangladesh, with state support, are a dangerous signal for the Hindu community in India, said J. Nandakumar, National Convenor of Prajna Pravah. Speaking at the Bangladesh Religious Minority Solidarity Conference, he warned that Hindus in India, particularly in northern Kerala, face significant threats. He emphasized the need to remain vigilant against the systematic moves by Islamic extremists.
Nandakumar drew parallels to the situation faced by Kashmiri Pandits before the 1980s. Despite warnings, the Pandits did not grasp the severity of extremist threats until they were eventually forced to choose between fleeing or converting under the threat of violence. The Hindus in Bangladesh are now facing a similar plight, enduring widespread violence at all levels. Hundreds of Hindus have already fallen victim to the brutal acts of extremists in Bangladesh, he noted.
He urged the Hindu community in India to stay alert and prevent the nation from descending into the same situation. While foreign parliaments prepare to protest against the atrocities in Bangladesh, the opposition in India has been paralyzing Parliament over trivial issues, avoiding discussion on the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. He stated that secular political parties in India cannot turn a blind eye to this humanitarian crisis.
Tracing the roots of the issue, he said the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh is a continuation of the violence initiated by the Muslim League in August 1946, supported by British colonial rulers and opportunistic political leaders of that time. He blamed the then-Indian government for failing to leverage the situation in Bangladesh to safeguard minorities, instead allowing extremists to gain control.
Today, only 8% of Bangladesh’s population is Hindu, down from 28%, a decline caused by genocide orchestrated by Islamic extremists. Over 3,000 incidents of severe violence against Hindus have already been documented. Preparations to transform Bangladesh into a religious state have been ongoing for decades, supported by NGOs like NED and SAP. These organizations have used social media and student unrest to destabilize the region. Such strategies are now being replicated in India, necessitating immediate countermeasures.
India, with its inclusive and universal philosophy, must act decisively, he stressed. He urged world leaders to deploy peacekeeping forces to end the atrocities in Bangladesh and called for urgent intervention by the Indian government.
The event was presided over by Swami Amrita Kripanandapuri of Mata Amritanandamayi Math in Kannur. Other speakers included RSS North Kerala Prant Sanghchalak Advocate K.K. Balaram, Sivagiri Mutt’s Swami Premananda, Chandu Prabhu (ISKCON, Kannur), Mahesh Baliga (Secretary, Chinmaya Mission, Kannur), V. Vijayan Master (State President, Vaniya Samudaya Samiti), P.P. Jayakumar (SNDP Union Secretary), Premarajan (District Secretary, Yadava Sabha), Sadanandan (State Secretary, Theeya Mahasabha), Dr. V.S. Shenai (District President, Hindu Aikya Vedi, Kannur), BJP National Committee Member Raghunath, and RSS Sanghchalak C.K. Srinivasan.
The solidarity messages from various Hindu community leaders highlighted the urgent need to address the crisis. The event began with a welcome address by O. Ragesh, RSS Regional Physical Training Leader, and concluded with a vote of thanks by P.V. Shyam Mohan, State Secretary of Hindu Aikya Vedi.
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