Bangladesh
Bangladesh is safe home for all people irrespective of caste and religion, says Muhammad Yunus greeting Hindus on Saraswati Puja
Bangladesh interim government chief Muhammad Yunus, during whose regime the South Asian country witnessed a spike in attacks on minorities, wished the Hindu community members when they are worshipping Goddess Saraswati on Monday.
In his message, the interim leader was quoted as saying by The Daily Star: "For thousands of years, people of all religions have been living together in this country, irrespective of religion and caste. "
"This country is a safe home for all people irrespective of caste and religion," he said.
"On the occasion of worshiping goddess Saraswati, I call upon all the Hindu community to devote themselves to the development and progress of the country by taking a vow of enlightenment," he said.
Yunus took charge of the government after former PM Sheikh Hasina-led Bangladeshi government was toppled amid severe protests against her government over a job quota issue.
Hasina fled to India.
Following the fall of her government, Bangladesh witnessed a spike in attacks on minorities across the country.
The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das over sedition charges further escalated the tension with minorities seen protesting on several occasions in the Muslim majority nation, demanding their protection.
Last year, the Bangladeshi interim government acknowledged 88 incidents of communal violence against minorities were reported in the country following the ouster of former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5.
Interim government head Muhammad Yunus' press secretary Shafiqul Alam confirmed 70 people were arrested in connection with the incidents.
Alam was quoted as saying by Dhaka Tribune: “A total of 88 cases have been filed in the country regarding communal violence from August 5 to October 22."
He said: "And 70 people have been arrested so far on charges of involvement in communal attacks."
India had criticised the rise in attacks on Hindu and other minorities in Bangladesh.
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