Amid the ongoing unrest in Bangladesh, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has expressed concern about the declining Hindu population in Assam and Bangladesh. He also mentioned that a similar situation is expected in West Bengal and Jharkhand. He mentioned that official census data up to 2011 from both Assam and Bangladesh show a demographic shift.
Demographic shift in census data
"Official census data up to 2011 of both places (Assam and Bangladesh) demonstrate a demographic shift. The situation in West Bengal and Jharkhand is expected to be similar. The census report said that, in Assam, from 1951 to 2011 Hindu population has declined 9.23 per cent and in Bangladesh, it declined by 13.5 per cent," CM Sarma said.
The Dailystar reported that a group of local Madrasa students removed the nameplate of the "Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Expressway", commonly known as the Dhaka-Mawa Expressway in Bangladesh's Munshiganj, with a banner reading "Father of the Nation Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) Expressway."
Bangladesh is facing a fluid political situation with Sheikh Hasina, 5, tendering her resignation from her post on August 5 in the wake of mounting protests. The protests, led majorly by students demanding an end to a quota system for government jobs, took the shape of anti-government protests. Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as the head of Bangladesh's interim government on August 8 night, three days after Sheikh Hasina resigned from the position of Prime Minister and left the country amid widespread unrest.
Seventeen members of Bangladesh's interim government took their oath at a ceremony in Dhaka on Thursday. Nobel laureate economist Muhammad Yunus, 84, was sworn in as the country's chief advisor. Bangladesh's President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to Yunus for his role as chief advisor, which is the equivalent to a Prime Minister.
CM Sarma slams Congress for its 'silence' over 'attacks' on Hindus in Bangladesh
Himanta Biswa Sarma criticised the Congress for its "silence" regarding the "attacks" on Hindus in Bangladesh, alleging that the party is more concerned about Gaza. Sarma, who is BJP's election co-incharge for Jharkhand, is in Ranchi to attend an organisational meeting of the party for the upcoming Assembly elections.
Expressing concern over the instability in Bangladesh, Sarma remarked that the situation there is dire and beyond words. He expressed confidence that the central government would address the issue through diplomatic channels and that the situation would gradually improve.
"Right now, the situation is very bad there," Sarma told reporters at the Birsa Munda airport.
Criticising the Congress for allegedly remaining silent on the plight of Hindus in Bangladesh, Sarma said, "The party's leaders have protested for minorities in Gaza, but how many times have they spoken out for Hindus in Bangladesh? The Congress has shown that it stands with Muslims facing issues worldwide, but not with Hindus."
Regarding the influx of people from Bangladesh, Sarma said the central government has not permitted anyone to cross the border. "This is not the solution. We cannot allow people to cross the borders. The only solution is to use all diplomatic channels and ensure their security in Bangladesh," he said.
Sarma also claimed that the Hindu population has declined across the entire eastern region bordering Bangladesh. "The Hindu population in Assam has decreased by 9.23 per cent, while in Bangladesh, it has fallen by 13.5 per cent over the years," he added.
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