'Advise Hasina to talk less; don't worry about Bangladesh Hindus'; Muhammad Yunus tells India

DHAKA: In just one month, Bangladesh witnessed major upheaval with Sheikh Hasina's government getting thrown away while a new government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus ascending power. After Hasina took asylum in India, Bangladesh went through severe unrest with protests emanating from all quarters. Many in opposition hit the streets in jubilation but the real test of perseverance was meted out to the Hindu minorities of the nation. Reports are still emerging about religious persecution and rapes of minorities in Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina also expressed her concern over the nation slipping into a theocratic state.

And now, Muhammad Yunus, the country's chief advisor, has come with a warning to India.

Yunus opined that the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh is more political than communal. He dismissed the claim that Bangladesh would become another Afghanistan. Yunus said it was time to work for better diplomatic relations rather than indulging in blame game.

“All these attacks on Hindus are political but not communal. India need not be worry about these incidents. We have promised to stop such incidents and will do that.” Said Yunus.

After Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5, the attack on the minority groups including Hindus in the country intensified. Following the student agitation, Hindu temples were vandalized and many Hindu homes were put on fire.

Yunus also demanded that India drop the argument that Bangladesh is safe only under Sheikh Hasina's rule.

"Everything in Bangladesh is Islamist, BNP is Islamist, everyone else is Islamist. Bangladesh will soon become another Afghanistan. India should come out of their delusions. Bangladesh is in safe hands and India should treat us like any other friendly nation. We are trying to build up good diplomatic relations with India. If India is keen on safeguarding Hasina, better advise her to talk less.” Said Yunus.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned in his Independence Day speech said that India's 140 crore people are worried about the safety of minorities including Hindus in Bangladesh.