Bangladesh (Commonwealth Union)_ In a recent statement, Pradyot Kishore Manikya Debbarma, the founder of the Tipra Motha party and Tripura’s royal scion, expressed profound concerns regarding the escalating violence against minority communities in Bangladesh. Debbarma, whose party is a regional ally of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura, emphasized the need for India to adopt a firm stance on this pressing humanitarian issue. As the Tipra Motha founder, he remains a vocal advocate for the rights of minorities, not only in Tripura but also in neighboring Bangladesh.
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Addressing the reporters in Agartala, Debbarma urged the Indian government to raise awareness of the situation at the United Nations. He highlighted that the attacks on minorities, particularly Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and indigenous groups such as the Chakmas and Manipuris, have become increasingly targeted and systematic since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August this year. He stated, “The way the minorities are being targeted, killed, and harassed seems to be part of a planned agenda,” urging the Indian authorities to expose Bangladesh’s ongoing human rights violations on an international platform.
Furthermore, Debbarma reflected on historical precedents of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, recalling attacks from the 1940s and 1960s. He questioned how long such injustices would continue, stating, “Whenever they get a chance, our minorities are asked to leave. Why should we leave? That land belongs to us; we have been living there for hundreds of years.” He insisted that if there is no significant change in Bangladesh’s approach towards its minority communities, the Indian government must take decisive action. One of the most alarming aspects of Debbarma’s comments was his assertion that the violence appears to be systematic and aimed at facilitating land grabs from minority communities.
Debbarma urged the Indian government to consider imposing sanctions on Bangladesh, particularly in light of its significant role as a global garment manufacturing hub. This, he argued, could serve as leverage to compel the Bangladeshi authorities to address the ongoing atrocities. Moreover, Debbarma emphasized the importance of restraint within India, specifically calling for the public to avoid retaliatory actions against Muslims in India in response to the violence in Bangladesh. “We must not mirror their actions,” he remarked, citing the past instances of violence against minorities in Bangladesh, such as the attacks in Nuakhali and Comilla, and the recent burning of the Bir Chandra Library.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Debbarma revealed that he had raised these concerns during a recent meeting in New Delhi, where he discussed the implementation of the tripartite Tiprasa Accord. This accord aims to address the socio-economic rights of the indigenous communities in Tripura. Furthermore, in response to the ongoing violence, Tipra Motha plans to organize a protest rally on September 26 in South Tripura. This event aims to register their disapproval of the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. Additionally, on September 20, the All India Chakma Students’ Union submitted a memorandum to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, urging the Indian government to take action following the killing of at least five indigenous people in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Debbarma’s statements shed light on the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh for its minority populations and underscore the role that India could play in addressing these human rights violations. As the situation continues to develop, the international community and the United Nations may be called upon to intervene and address the growing concerns over the treatment of minority groups in Bangladesh, highlighting the importance of protecting human rights across borders. Additionally, the call for solidarity among the minority communities in both India and Bangladesh remains vital as they seek justice and recognition of their rights in the face of adversity.
