UK MPs demand action amid rise in violence against Hindus in Bangladesh

Two British members of Parliament, Priti Patel and Barry Gardiner, addressed the UK Parliament on Monday regarding violence against the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. They requested a statement from Foreign Secretary David Lammy on the situation.

Patel, the MP from Witham, expressed her concerns about the violence. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Patel posted a clip from her address, captioned, “I am deeply concerned by the awful violence we have seen in Bangladesh, and my thoughts are with those affected."



"In Parliament this afternoon, I called on the Government to set out how they are engaging with the Bangladeshi Government on this pressing and important issue. Robust action needs to be taken to protect life and prevent violence and persecution, including based on religious belief Gardiner, a Labour MP representing Brent North, posed an "urgent question" to the foreign secretary concerning the violence targeting the Hindu community," the post further said.

Catherine West, Under-secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, responded to their inquiries. She stated she received assurances from Bangladesh's interim government regarding support for minority communities.

West mentioned her meeting with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, leader of the caretaker administration, and discussed the protection of religious minorities. “I discussed the importance of protecting religious minorities in Bangladesh. The UK supports freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression in Bangladesh. On the Hindu community, specifically, I was assured that support was available for them. We will continue to monitor the situation,” reported HT, quoting West.