Hindu Man Attacked in Bangladesh Hospital, Raising Minority Concerns
Another Hindu man attacked in Bangladesh hospital, sparking concerns about minority safety and communal harmony.
Photo by Mirna Wabi-Sabi
Here's what matters: In a disturbing incident in Bangladesh, a Hindu man, Naren Das, was stabbed and set on fire inside a hospital in Narail, just days after another similar attack. This follows a pattern of attacks on minority communities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh, often linked to land disputes or political tensions. The victim, who was already hospitalized for an earlier attack, was targeted again, raising serious questions about the safety of minorities and the effectiveness of law enforcement.
Why does this matter? For India, such incidents in a neighboring country are a matter of concern due to historical ties, shared borders, and the potential for humanitarian issues. It highlights the complexities of communal harmony and minority rights in South Asia, a recurring theme in international relations and social issues.
Key Facts
Naren Das, a Hindu man, attacked in Narail Sadar Hospital, Bangladesh
Stabbed and set on fire
Follows a previous attack on another Hindu man, Naren Biswas
Police arrested two individuals, including a local Awami League leader
UPSC Exam Angles
India-Bangladesh bilateral relations and foreign policy implications
Minority rights and communal harmony in South Asia
Challenges to secularism and governance in neighboring countries
Humanitarian concerns and potential for refugee influx
Role of civil society and international bodies in protecting minorities
Visual Insights
Minority Attack in Bangladesh: Geographical Context & India's Concerns
This map highlights Narail district in Bangladesh, the site of the recent attack on a Hindu man, and its proximity to the India-Bangladesh border. It visually represents India's concern over minority safety in a neighboring country due to shared borders and potential humanitarian implications, a key aspect of bilateral relations.
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More Information
Background
Latest Developments
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the protection of minority rights in South Asia: 1. The 'Nehru-Liaquat Pact' of 1950 aimed to protect minority rights in India and Pakistan following the Partition. 2. Bangladesh's constitution, after its independence, initially adopted secularism as a state principle. 3. The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in India specifically addresses the persecution of religious minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: D
Statement 1: The Nehru-Liaquat Pact (Delhi Pact) was signed in 1950 between India and Pakistan to ensure the rights of minorities in both countries and to prevent further migration due to communal violence. This is correct. Statement 2: Bangladesh's original constitution (1972) enshrined secularism, nationalism, democracy, and socialism as its four fundamental principles. While later amendments introduced Islam as the state religion, secularism was indeed an initial principle. This is correct. Statement 3: The CAA provides a path to Indian citizenship for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian religious minorities who had fled persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014. This is correct.
2. In the context of India-Bangladesh relations and cross-border issues, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) of 2015 resolved all pending boundary disputes, including enclaves and adverse possessions, between India and Bangladesh. 2. The Teesta River water-sharing dispute remains a significant unresolved issue between the two countries. 3. India has consistently advocated for the protection of minority rights in Bangladesh through multilateral forums like SAARC. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A.1 only
- B.1 and 2 only
- C.2 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: B
Statement 1: The Land Boundary Agreement (LBA) of 2015 (100th Constitutional Amendment Act) indeed resolved the complex issue of enclaves and adverse possessions, leading to the exchange of territories and demarcation of the border. This is correct. Statement 2: The Teesta River water-sharing dispute is a long-standing and significant unresolved issue between India and Bangladesh, primarily concerning the equitable distribution of water during the lean season. This is correct. Statement 3: While India expresses concern over minority rights in Bangladesh, its primary approach has been through bilateral channels rather than consistently using multilateral forums like SAARC for this specific issue, which often avoids contentious bilateral matters. SAARC's effectiveness in addressing such issues has also been limited. Therefore, 'consistently advocated through multilateral forums like SAARC' is not entirely accurate. India's approach is more nuanced and often bilateral. This statement is incorrect.
3. Which of the following international instruments or principles is most directly relevant to addressing the concerns of religious minorities facing persecution in a sovereign state?
- A.The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States
- B.The principle of 'Responsibility to Protect' (R2P)
- C.The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations
- D.The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
Show Answer
Answer: B
A) The Montevideo Convention defines statehood and its rights/duties, not directly minority protection from persecution. B) The 'Responsibility to Protect' (R2P) is a global political commitment endorsed by all UN member states at the 2005 World Summit. It holds states responsible for protecting their own populations from four mass atrocity crimes: genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. When a state fails to do so, the international community has a responsibility to intervene through diplomatic, humanitarian, or other peaceful means, and if necessary, through coercive measures like sanctions or military intervention. This is directly relevant to religious minorities facing persecution that could escalate to mass atrocities. C) The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations governs diplomatic missions and their privileges, not minority rights. D) The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons. Therefore, R2P is the most directly relevant principle.