NEW DELHI: Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi on Saturday smacked the Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath‘s remark that “as long as Jinnah’s spirit continues to stay, this kind of anarchy will happen” in reference to the violence in Bangladesh. She responded by stating that, “Jinnah’s spirit was killed and crushed.”
Speaking to PTI, Priyanka said, “Jinnah’s spirit was killed, crushed and ended after India under (former PM) Indira Gandhi gave liberation to Bangladesh and made it a free country.”
“As far as the current crisis in Bangladesh is concerned, it is shameful that while I talk about Jinnah, they (BJP) refuse to speak up to protect the rights of the Hindus,” she added.
Earlier on Friday, addressing an event in Lucknow on Bhimrao Ambedkar’s death anniversary Adityanath said, “In Bangladesh, minorities are being killed, burnt and looted by the radicals. The honour of mothers and daughters is being compromised. I want to know why such a situation is prevailing in Bangladesh?”
“As long as Jinnah’s spirit remains there, this kind of anarchy will continue. The poor and the deprived are being exploited there. This is the sin of India’s partition in 1947. The ugly face of partition has come in front of us again in the guise of the Bangladesh crisis. All the Hindus and Buddhists who are being killed in Bangladesh are Dalits,” he added.
He further continued referring to the population of Hindus in Pakistan and Bangladesh earlier, and said that in 1947, their numbers in these countries were significant. “In Bangladesh, 22% of the population was Hindu until 1971, but now that number has dwindled to 6-8%,” he said, adding that if the ongoing violence and persecution continued, the population would shrink further.
“Our govt is continuously working to fulfil Ambedkar’s dreams for the poor, marginalised, and Dalit communities. We are providing free toilets, housing, land deeds, and pension benefits. Scholarships and fee reimbursements are being given to SC/ST students. We are focused on achieving the goal of zero poverty,” he added.
Violence in Bangladesh has escalated following the removal of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August, with atrocities against minority communities, particularly Hindus, on the rise. Attacks intensified after the arrest of Iskcon monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, a member of the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, in Dhaka on November 25.
A Bangladesh court has scheduled the next hearing for January 2, 2025, and ruled that Das will remain in custody on alleged sedition charges until then.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has strongly condemned Das’ arrest and the denial of his bail. The incident has sparked widespread outrage, with many demanding his immediate release.
