Bangladesh seems to be under the grip of extremists once again after the formation of new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Earlier, the minorities were on the target the radicals and now the symbols connected to the Hindu minorities are on the line.
In a fresh development, the construction of a tallest Lord Ram statue has been put on hold reportedly after pressure from the Islamist outfits in the country. It is reported that the 81-feet statue of the Ram had been 80 per cent complete. Reports have emerged of threats by radical outfits to halt the construction of the statue while demanding its demolition at the same time. After weeks of sustained social media pressure from radical pressure groups, the construction somewhat has stalled.
Concern over religious freedom
The incident has led to fresh concerns over protection of minority rights and religious freedom under the leadership of Bangladesh PM Tarique Rehman. The latest incident comes in the backdrop of renewed border tension between India and Bangladesh and strained diplomatic ties after the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina.
Bangladesh PM advisor made to wait at airport
Earlier, Zahed Ur Rahman, the advisor to the Bangladesh PM, was briefly made to wait at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport in view of his past remarks against India. Later, Zahed cancelled his India trip and moved to Sri Lanka. Following the incident, Bangladesh registered a formal protest over the treatment meted out to its diplomat. Dhaka also termed the incident humiliating.
Mango diplomacy
When Sheikh Hasina was the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, she used to regularly send consignment of mangoes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a gesture of goodwill. She also used to send mangoes to former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Meanwhile, Tarique Rahman has sent a consignment of mangoes to Nepal this year as a gesture of goodwill.
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Nakshab Khan is a senior journalist with nearly two decades of experience in Indian media. Beginning his career in 2007, he has worked with leading news organisations, including Times Now, News18, TV9 Network, IANS, Zee Media, UNI TV. He is currently associated with NewsX Digital as a Deputy Editor.
Over the years, Nakshab has extensively covered politics, international affairs, crime, and public policy. He has special interest in global affairs, with a strong focus on West Asian affairs. He can be reached at nakshab.ali@gmail.com.
