The recent spate of attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh has sparked intense debates in West Bengal, with both the ruling TMC and opposition BJP using the issue to advance their political agendas.
The growing concerns over minority rights, communal harmony, and the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) have taken centre stage in the state’s political discourse.
Since the ousting of Sheikh Hasina in August following student-led unrest, the Hindu community in Bangladesh has found itself increasingly vulnerable, with temples vandalised, homes burned, and growing fear among its members.
The situation worsened with the arrest of monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent spokesperson for Bangladesh’s Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, who was detained while on his way to a rally for minority rights.
The violence and persecution against Hindus have become a point of contention in West Bengal, with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing her condemnation of the attacks while calling on the Union government to intervene.
However, Banerjee has been careful not to stoke communal tensions within the state. She accused the BJP of politicising the issue and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take swift action to protect the Hindu minority in Bangladesh.
"I want the central government to take steps to protect Hindus in Bangladesh," said Banerjee, demanding stronger intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs.
Despite clarifying that she had no jurisdiction over foreign affairs, she suggested, "If required, let an international peacekeeping force be sent to Bangladesh after talking to the (interim) government there to help them restore normalcy."
TMC general secretary Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP of using the violence in Bangladesh as a political tool to polarise voters in India.
"While they march in protest, where is their accountability? The BJP-led Centre is silent. Where is the 56-inch chest now? This inaction exposes their hypocrisy," Ghosh said.
The state’s opposition, the BJP, has turned up the heat on Banerjee, accusing her of neglecting the rights of Hindus both in West Bengal and across the border.
BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar argued that the violence in Bangladesh is not just an international issue but a humanitarian crisis that directly impacts Bengal.
"The violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is not just a Bangladeshi issue. It is a humanitarian crisis that directly impacts Bengal. TMC's silence and appeasement politics are a betrayal of the Hindu community," Majumdar said.
The BJP’s rhetoric has connected the violence with the party’s long-standing promise of implementing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which seeks to grant Indian citizenship to persecuted minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.
Majumdar stated, "The Hindus fleeing Bangladesh's violence must be assured of their rights and dignity in India."
Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari echoed this sentiment, warning that the unrest in Bangladesh would have significant repercussions in West Bengal.
"Wherever Hindus are attacked, we will fight for justice. The TMC's opposition to the CAA shows their appeasement agenda," he said.
The BJP has organised protests across the state, calling for a stronger response from the Indian government to safeguard Hindus in Bangladesh.
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has also intensified its activities, holding demonstrations in districts with large Hindu refugee populations.
Meanwhile, opposition parties like the Left Front and Congress have criticised both the TMC and BJP for politicising the issue, urging both the state and central governments to focus on humanitarian efforts rather than playing political games.
"This is a humanitarian issue, not a political football. Instead of playing blame games, both the state and central governments must work together to ensure the safety of minorities on both sides of the border," Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said.
Political analyst Biswanath Chakraborty pointed out that the violence in Bangladesh has added a new dimension to West Bengal’s politics.
"Communal violence anywhere in the region can have a cascading effect here. Political parties must act responsibly and prioritise humanitarian aid and diplomatic intervention," he said.
Protests have escalated at the India-Bangladesh border, where monks from the Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti have staged demonstrations demanding the immediate release of Chinmoy Krishna Das and an end to the violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.
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