Minorities

2024 sees 2,200 cases of Hindu violence in Bangladesh, 112 in Pak: MEA

The Indian government has raised concerns and urged both countries to take action to protect their minority communities

After Palestine storm, Priyanka Gandhi's tote turns focus to Bangladesh

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's symbolic protest in Parliament took another turn as her latest tote bag focused on atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh

Treatment of minorities in Bangladesh matter of concern, says Jaishankar

The treatment of minorities in Bangladesh is a matter of concern for India and New Delhi hopes that Dhaka will take action for their safety, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The minister said India hopes that the new dispensation in Bangladesh will settle down to a mutually beneficial stable relationship with India. Jaishankar said treatment of minorities in Bangladesh has been a source of concern as there have been multiple incidents of attacks on them. "We have drawn their attention to our concerns. Recently foreign secretary visited Dhaka. This subject came up in his meetings. And it is our expectation that in its own interests, Bangladesh will take action for the safety of minorities," he said during the Question Hour. The minister said India has a good history of development projects in Bangladesh. "In fact when we speak about the neighbourhood first policy, almost every neighbouring country with the exception of Pakistan and China, we h

'Frank, candid, constructive': Foreign secretary Misri on Bangladesh talks

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefs Parliamentary Standing Committee on India-Bangladesh relations after Dhaka visit

US wants India, Bangladesh to resolve differences peacefully: Matthew Miler

The United States has said that it wants India and Bangladesh to resolve their differences peacefully. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miler said this at his daily news conference on Tuesday. "We want to see all parties resolve their disagreements peacefully," Miler said, responding to a question on the recent visit of India's foreign secretary to Bangladesh. During his visit early this week, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri conveyed New Delhi's "concerns" over the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh. "I have underlined India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh. At the same time, we also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities," Misri told reporters in Dhaka at the end of his visit.

Ravinder Raina calls Mehbooba Mufti's 'India-Bangladesh' remark 'treason'

Raina assured that all religious communities in India are safe, urging legal action against Mufti for her remarks

Attacks on minorities in B'desh: Indian-Americans urge Biden to intervene

An influential Indian-American organisation has urged US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump to call on the government of Bangladesh to protect the minority Hindu community in the country. In separate letters to Biden and Trump, the Foundation for India and Indian Diaspora Studies (FIIDS) on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the escalating human rights violations against religious minorities in Bangladesh and the recent arrest of Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari. Bangladesh's minority Hindus have faced over 200 attacks, including those on their temples, since the fall of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League government on August 5, according to the FIIDS. Das was arrested on Monday in a sedition case and later denied bail by a court, triggering protests by community members in various locations, including the capital Dhaka and the port city of Chattogram. He was a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and was recen

Disheartening to see country's largest minority facing threats: Mehbooba

PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said it was "disheartening" that the country's largest minority was facing "unprecedented threats" as it celebrated Constitution Day. The People's Democratic Party (PDP) supremo referred to the violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal, where four people died during protests against a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque. The government on Tuesday kick-started yearlong celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution. "Today, as we celebrate Constitution Day, it is disheartening to see the largest minority in our country facing unprecedented threats. Their dignity, lives, livelihoods and places of worship are under attack, contradicting the Constitution's guarantee of equal rights and dignity for every citizen, regardless of their background," the former Jammu and Kashmir chief said in a post on X. The violence in Sambhal, where four people died, "is a painful reminder of this harsh reality", she said. "This trend o

PM Modi honoured with Global Peace Award for minority upliftment in US

Association of Indian American Minorities (AIAM), a newly formed non-governmental organisation, was launched at Sligo Seventh-day Adventist Church, Maryland where PM Modi was honoured (in absentia)

Minority report: Unemployment rate among religious minorities up in 2023-24

But was down from the pre-Covid year

USCIRF flags 'increasing abuses' against religious minorities in India

A US federal government commission has flagged the alleged worsening of religious freedom in India and called for it to be designated as a "Country of Particular Concern". Authored by senior policy analyst Sema Hasan, the section on India describes the use of misinformation and disinformation -- including hate speech by government officials -- to incite violent attacks against religious minorities and their places of worship, the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) said in a statement. In its annual report, the USCIRF also recommended that the US Department of State designate India as a "Country of Particular Concern" for engaging in systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom. The state department has so far refrained from accepting the recommendations. "This report highlights how, throughout 2024, individuals have been killed, beaten, and lynched by vigilante groups, religious leaders have been arbitrarily arrested, and homes and place

Unacceptable: Govt on Iranian supreme leader's comment on Indian minorities

India on Monday strongly deplored comments made by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on the condition of minorities in India, calling the remarks "misinformed and unacceptable". External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said countries commenting on minorities in India should look at their "own record" before making any observations about others. "We strongly deplore the comments made regarding minorities in India by the Supreme Leader of Iran. These are misinformed and unacceptable," he said. "Countries commenting on minorities are advised to look at their own record before making any observations about others," Jaiswal said. The Iranian leader, addressing a gathering of clerics in Tehran on Monday, talked about what he described as "suffering" of Muslims in Gaza, Myanmar and India. "The enemies of Islam have always tried to make us indifferent with regard to our shared identity as an Islamic Ummah. We cannot consider ourselves to be Muslims if we are obliv

Minorities safest in India: Union minister Rijiju hits out at Rahul Gandhi

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday hit out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on minorities and said they are the safest in India. Responding to a question on Gandhi's remarks in the US that RSS considers some religions, languages and communities inferior to others, Rijiju said, "No matter the amount of effort made, India cannot be defamed because India's Constitution and culture do not differentiate between people." He said people who want to defame India with the help of anti-India forces will not succeed. The Minister for Minority Affairs who also holds the Parliamentary Affairs portfolio pointed out that minorities in India's neighbourhood come here if something wrong happens to them there. "Minorities are the safest in India," he asserted. Addressing on Monday a gathering of several hundred Indian Americans in Herndon, a Virginia suburb of Washington DC, the leader of opposition accused the RSS of considering some religions, languages and communities of be

B'desh's interim govt vows swift action against people attacking minorities

Bangladesh's newly-appointed Home Affairs Ministry adviser has vowed to take swift legal action against those who attack or abuse minorities, stressing that there is no place for violence, conflict, or hatred in the country. Brigadier General (retd) M Sakhawat Hussain's assurance came during a meeting with a delegation from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Bangladesh at his office in the Secretariat on Thursday, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. Bangladesh saw a spike in violence against members of Hindu communities following the fall of the government led by Sheikh Hasina, who resigned and fled to India on August 5 following massive protests against her government over a controversial quota system in jobs. Hussain emphasised that Bangladesh is a country of communal harmony, where people of all religions have grown up together without any divisions. He said that no one would be spared if they attacked or abused minorities, and swift legal action woul

Oppn defaming country, refugees know India is safe for minorities: Rijiju

Six recognised minorities, technically and by definition we are minority but by no means, emotionally, socially.... no one in this country is minority, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju added

Protesters rally outside UN over violence against minorities in Bangladesh

HinduACTion, a Washington-based NGO, said that people from all walks of life showed up spontaneously

Stop attacks against Hindus, other minorities or I’ll resign: Bangladesh's Muhammad Yunus

Thousands rally in solidarity with minorities amid UK anti-immigrant riots

Thousands of anti-racist counter-protesters demonstrated on Wednesday in solidarity with ethnic minorities in England, who were subjected to violent anti-immigrant riots, Al Jazeera reported.The day began with high tension and the possibility of violence, but the situation calmed down in major cities like Liverpool and London as counter-protesters turned out in large numbers.As the anti-racist counter-protesters appeared, the far-right protesters became more subdued, Al Jazeera reported.The Northampton police asked the counter-protesters to disperse as the far-right protesters mellowed."Protest Update- One hour since planned protest was due to start and there has been no disorder tonight. Police are now asking the crowd of counter-protesters to disperse peacefully for the evening. Kettering Road still partially closed for now #Northampton," the Northants Police said in a post on X.Hundreds of protesters in solidarity with immigrants gathered in London against the far-right, chanting ..

Rijiju inaugurates Lok Samvardhan Parv to highlight ministry's achievements

As part of its 100 days programme, the Ministry of Minority Affairs is organising 'Lok Samvardhan Parv' to showcase the schemes of Ministry

Helen Roberts becomes Pak's first woman brigadier from minority community

Dr. Helen Mary Roberts, serving in the Pakistan Army Medical Corps, has made history by becoming the first woman from Christian and minority community to achieve the rank of brigadier in the country's history. Brigadier Helen was among Pakistan Army officers promoted as brigadiers and full colonels by the Selection Board, The News reported on Sunday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Helen on her promotion as Brigadier, saying the whole nation was proud of her and thousands of hardworking women like her from minority communities who are serving the country with distinction. "I myself and the nation congratulate Brig Helen Mary Roberts on getting the honour of the first female from minority to be promoted as Brigadier in the Pakistan Army, he said. During a Christmas celebration at Christ Church in Rawalpindi last year, Pakistan Army chief General Asim Munir had commended the role played by the minority community in the country's development. Brigadier Dr. Helen is senior