New Delhi

The Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) hosted an exhibition and panel discussion titled ‘The Never Ending Persecution of Minorities in Bangladesh’ on February 24, drawing attention to the ongoing violence faced by religious and ethnic minorities in the neighbouring country. Held at the VIF Auditorium in the national capital, the event brought together experts, diplomats and journalists to discuss the worsening human rights crisis unfolding in Bangladesh.

The panel discussion featured former Deputy National Security Advisor Satish Chandra, Former High Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri, Correspondent for French weekly magazine Valeurs Actuelles François Gautier and Chairman and Trustee of the Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation Dr. Anirban Ganguly. The session was chaired by VIF Director Dr. Arvind Gupta. The panel delved into the socio-political, religious and international ramifications of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.

Chandra, in his address, stressed that the “persecution of minorities in Bangladesh is not just a matter of national concern but an international human rights issue”. He elaborated on how the socio-political climate in the neighbouring nation, increasingly dominated by religious intolerance, has led to the marginalisation and targeted violence against various minority communities.

Sikri echoed the same, pointing out that the situation in Bangladesh has been deteriorating for decades. "The rise of religious extremism and the subsequent violence against Hindus, Buddhists, Christians and Ahmadiyya Muslims is a reflection of a deeply rooted issue of intolerance in the country," she said.

She added that the international community must take a stronger stance in addressing these human rights abuses.

Dr. Ganguly drew attention to the role of India in supporting persecuted minorities in neighbouring countries. "India cannot remain a mere bystander as our neighbours continue to violate fundamental human rights," he said and urged the Indian government to continue its advocacy for the protection of minorities abroad.

Gautier shared his journalistic experience from his years in Bangladesh, where he has reported on the challenges faced by minorities. He described how "minorities, particularly Hindus, have been forced to flee their homes in large numbers due to attacks by radical elements”. He emphasised that the international community's lack of concrete action has allowed the cycle of violence to perpetuate.

A significant moment of the event was the presence of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The underlining India’s deep concern over the plight of religious and ethnic minorities in Bangladesh. His presence at the event was symbolic of India’s ongoing commitment to raise awareness about the issue and engage in meaningful discourse to bring about change.

The exhibition, curated by FACT (Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism), featured compelling visual documentation of human rights violations, forced displacements and violent attacks on religious minorities. It displayed photographs and accounts that underscored the urgency of addressing the ongoing crisis.

Speaking about the exhibition, Dr. Gupta said, "The visuals on display are a stark reminder of the ongoing atrocities faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh. This exhibition serves as an urgent call to action, not just for India but for the international community, to address the systematic violations of human rights in the region."

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The event also provided a platform for experts to discuss potential solutions to the problem, including increased international pressure on the Bangladeshi government, stronger protections for religious minorities and the need for greater regional cooperation to combat extremism.

Dr. Gupta, in his closing remarks, said, "This event serves to raise awareness and promote discourse on the issues that matter most, such as the plight of minorities in Bangladesh."