Bangladesh Crisis Highlights: 'Hindus must show strength', says Ramdev amid attacks on religious minorities

Minorities under attack in Bangladesh?

UN following situation in Bangladesh 'very closely'; calls for calm and restraint

The United Nations is following the situation in Bangladesh "very closely" and calls for calm and restraint in the wake of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation and escape from the country, a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Monday.

"The Secretary-General deplores the further loss of life during protests in Bangladesh over the weekend. He continues to closely follow developments in the country, including the Chief of Army Staff’s announcement regarding the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and plans for the formation of an interim government," Farhan Haq, the UN Deputy Spokesperson, told the daily briefing.

"We continue to call for calm and restraint and to urge all parties to respect the right to peaceful assembly and expression," Haq said, adding that the UN urges security forces to protect those out on the streets of Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh.

-PTI

India's border with Bangladesh secure: Bengal Guv

West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Monday asserted that India's border with Bangladesh was secure amid the turmoil in the neighbouring country, and urged people to not pay attention to any rumours.

Bose also constituted a “watchdog panel” that could be contacted round the clock to clarify any disinformation, he said.

"The governor assured that our borders (with Bangladesh) are secure. There is no need for panic. Beware of rumour mongers. Bengal is behind the Government of India, which is taking strong and effective steps to protect the borders," a Raj Bhavan official said.

-PTI

Bangladesh awaits interim government, army chief to meet protesters

Bangladesh's army chief will meet student protest leaders on Tuesday as the country awaits the formation of a new government a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following a violent uprising against her rule.

Student leaders, who spearheaded a movement against job quotas that turned into a call for Hasina to resign, said early on Tuesday that they want a new interim government with Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as its chief adviser.

-PTI

An announcement being made to ensure communal harmony is maintained

Student leaders guarding a temple from attackers

Md Yunus on India

Md Yunus, who might be the chief advisor to the new Bangladesh govt, had earlier said in an interview with the Indian Express that he was 'hurt' India was calling the situation in Bangladesh as an 'internal' one. "If there is a fire in the brother’s house, how can I say it is an internal affair?," Yunus was quoted by the publication as saying.

Jamaat says their student leaders guarded temples of minorities throughout the night

BNP leader Khalida Zia's son Tarique Rahman says their party workers protected minority religious structures overnight

Visuals of people looting Bangladesh PM residence

Bangladesh Army chief to meet student protesters at 11:30 IST (12 pm local time)

Bangladesh's army chief will meet student protest leaders on Tuesday as the country awaits the formation of a new government a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled following a violent uprising against her that killed hundreds.

Student leaders, who spearheaded a movement against job quotas that turned into a call for Hasina to resign, said early on Tuesday that they want a new interim government with Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus as its chief adviser.

Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman plans to meet the protest organisers at 12 noon local time (0600 GMT) on Tuesday, the army said in a statement, a day after Zaman announced Hasina's resignation in a televised address and said an interim government would be formed.

-Reuters

Here's how the world is reacting to the Bangladesh crisis

USA: "Too many lives have been lost over the course of the past several weeks, and we urge calm and restraint in the days ahead." - State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

"We welcome the announcement of an interim government and urge any transition be conducted in accordance with Bangladesh's laws."

UN: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for a "peaceful, orderly and democratic transition" and "full, independent, impartial and transparent investigation into all acts of violence."

Canada: "condemns the human rights violations, deaths, torture, arbitrary arrests and lethal force"

Bangladesh founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's statues destroyed

Bangladesh Air Force aircraft that carried Sheikh Hasina to India left took off at 9 am today: Report

Some political prisoners jailed by Hasina regime freed on Tuesday, AFP reports

BSF DG Daljit Singh at India-Bangladesh border

Sheikh Hasina remains in India after fleeing

Bangladesh's Nobel laureate Yunus to reportedly advise interim govt

Yunus will return to Bangladesh 'immediately' after a minor medical procedure in Paris, his spokesperson further added.

IMF says it is 'fully committed' to Bangladesh

The International Monetary Fund said it was "fully committed to Bangladesh and its people" after protests ousted the prime minister.

The Fund, which approved a $4.7 billion loan programme with the country in January 2023, said it was "deeply saddened by loss of lives and injuries," but would continue to "support efforts to ensure economic stability and deliver inclusive growth".

-Reuters

Hasina in shock, govt giving her time, says EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday told an all-party meeting that India has assured help to former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here on Monday evening, and given her time to decide the future course of action, sources said.

Briefing political party leaders in Parliament House, Jaishankar said India has spoken to the Bangladesh Army Chief to ensure the safety of over 10,000 Indian students in that country, the sources said.

Replying to questions from various leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, the minister did not rule out the role of foreign governments in the unrest in the country but emphasised that the situation was too fluid, and the government has been keeping a watch on the evolving situation, they said.

-PTI

Maitree Express between Dhaka and Kolkata remains suspended

Kolkata, Aug 6 (PTI) The Eastern Railway said services of the Kolkata-Dhaka-Kolkata Maitree Express will remain cancelled on Wednesday due to the ongoing turmoil in Bangladesh.

The neighbouring country plunged into uncertainty after protests led to the resignation of the country's prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, on Monday.

Citing a message from Bangladesh Railways, the ER said on Tuesday the services of Maitree Express, which has not been operational since July 19, will not resume services on Wednesday.

The operations of bi-weekly Kolkata-Khulna-Kolkata Bandhan Express have also remained suspended since July 21.

Bangladesh ex-PM and Opposition leader Khaleda Zia freed, AFP reports

Alert sounded in many Bihar districts in view of Bangladesh situation

An alert has been sounded in many parts of Bihar in the wake of the unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh, a top police official said on Tuesday.

According to Additional Director of Police (Headquarters), J S Gangwar, the alert was issued in the districts situated close to Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Parliament dissolved, president's office says

Bangladesh's parliament was dissolved on Tuesday, the president's office said in a statement, a day after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following violent protests demanding her ouster.

The announcement came hours after protesting student leaders set a deadline to dissolve parliament and warned a "strict programme" would be launched if their deadline is not met.

India monitoring situation with regard to minorities in Bangladesh: Jaishankar in Rajya Sabha

India is monitoring the situation with regard to minorities in Bangladesh and is in "close and continuous" touch with the Indian community there through its diplomatic missions, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

"There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there, of which about 9,000 are students. The bulk of the students, however, have already returned to India in the month of July," Jaishankar told the Upper House.

Bangladesh police association declares strike, AFP reports

UK govt signals Sheikh Hasina is not welcome in the country, reports suggest

According to reports, United Kingdom has clearly signalled that Sheikh Hasina is not welcome.

UK Govt points to rules that say, "Those who need international protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach – that is the fastest route to safety."

Ex-PM and Opposition Khaleda Zia freed from house arrest

Ex-prime minister Khaleda Zia has been released from years of house arrest after her enemy Sheikh Hasina was ousted as prime minister, reports AFP 

President Mohammed Shahabuddin ordered the immediate release of Zia, chief of the main opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), late on Monday after discussing the formation of an interim government with politicians and the army.

(With inputs from Reuters)

At least 24 burnt alive in hotel owned by Awami League leader

At least 24 people, including an Indonesian national, were burnt alive by a mob in Bangladesh at a starred hotel owned by a leader of Awami League party after its leader Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled the country, local journalists and hospital sources said on Tuesday.

45 Bangladeshi passengers deboard at Petrapole border as Dhaka-Kolkata buses stop plying

A total of 45 Bangladeshi citizens returning from Kolkata on Tuesday had to deboard from a Dhaka-bound bus at Petrapole, the land port on the Indian side, as bus services between the two countries were suspended amid the turmoil in the neighbouring nation.

“Amid the disruption and curfews, we had been making every effort to run the service whenever possible for the benefit of people of both countries. We had been expecting the services to normalise from today.

AAP peeved over no invite to all-party meeting on Bangladesh despite being national party

The AAP complained on Tuesday that it was not invited to the all-party meeting called by the BJP-led NDA government over the turmoil in neighbouring Bangladesh despite it being a national party with 13 MPs.

Ex-IT minister detained, barred from leaving country

Former state minister for post, telecommunication and ICT Zunaid Ahmed Palak has been barred from leaving the country by airport authorities, Prothom Alo reports.

Top ranks of Bangladesh Army re-shuffled, reports Prothom Alo

Bangladesh on Tuesday carried out a major reshuffle in the top positions in the Army, a day after prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country following deadly protests against her government over a controversial job quota system.

Maj Gen Ziaul Ahsan, the director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Centre (NTMC), has been relieved from service, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported, quoting a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations Department (ISPR) - the media wing of the army.

Air India to operate evening flight to Dhaka; Vistara to resume services from Wednesday

Air India will operate its scheduled flight from the national capital to Dhaka on Tuesday evening while Vistara's scheduled services to the Bangladesh capital will be operational from August 7.

The neighbouring country has plunged into uncertainty and the situation is volatile after street protests over job quota forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to quit and flee.

On Tuesday, Air India had cancelled its morning flight to Dhaka.

The airline will operate its evening flights AI237/238 on the Delhi-Dhaka-Delhi sector on Tuesday.

Carnage spreads to Hindu temples, households amid Bangladesh unrest

A number of Hindu temples, households and businesses were vandalised, women assaulted and at least two Hindu leaders affiliated with the Awami League party killed in violence in Bangladesh following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, community leaders claimed on Tuesday.

“We have compiled some incidents of the vandalisms in different parts of the country exposing the Hindu and other minority communities to anxiety,” Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council leader Kajol Debnath told PTI on the margins of a meeting of the group here.

According to the available information, two Hindu leaders, who were incidentally leaders of Hasina’s Awami League (AL) party, were killed in north-western Sirajganj and Rangpur, Debnath said, adding that the Council was still gathering more information.

Rahul asked at all-party meet if Pakistan was involved in Bangladesh developments: Sources

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday asked External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar at an-all party meeting as to whether foreign forces, specifically Pakistan, might have been involved in the developments in Bangladesh, sources said.

He also asked about the government's strategy going forward in dealing with the crisis in the neighbouring country, the Congress sources said.

Jaishankar told the all-party meeting that India has assured help to former Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who arrived here on Monday evening, and given her time to decide the future course of action.

China hopes "social stability can be restored" soon in Bangladesh, reports AFP

Bangladesh President meets key coordinators of students' movement; discusses current situation

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin on Tuesday met with the key coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement at the Bangabhaban to discuss the current situation and the shape of the interim government, media reports said.

Citing one of the coordinators, Bengali language daily Prothom Alo reported that the meeting started on Tuesday evening.

"A group of 13 members of the anti-discrimination student movement is holding a meeting with the President and the three armed forces chiefs at Bangabhaban regarding the current situation and the shape of the interim government," the paper said.

Suvendu Adhikari says 'attack' on Hindus in Bangladesh shows CAA's necessity

West Bengal BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari met Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday to raise the issue of alleged attacks on Hindus and temples in Bangladesh, asserting that the situation in the neighbouring country underscored the necessity of the CAA.

After meeting Shah, Adhikari told PTI that the home minister told him that the government of India is taking appropriate action on the matter.

Bangladesh plunged into uncertainty after extraordinary street protests over job quota forced Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to quit and flee.

Around 20 Hindu temples, 300 households vandalised since Monday, says minority group

Hundreds of Hindu houses, businesses and temples have been vandalised since the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, a community association said on Tuesday, and mainly Hindu India said it was worried about the incidents.

Hindus constitute about 8 per cent of Bangladesh's 170 million people and have historically largely supported Hasina's Awami League party, which identifies as largely secular, instead of the opposition bloc that includes a hardline Islamist party.

Neighbouring India, now sheltering Hasina after she fled on Monday from deadly protests after 15 years in power, said what was "particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses and temples also came under attack at multiple locations".

The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) said 200-300 mainly Hindu homes and businesses had been vandalised since Monday, and 15-20 Hindu temples damaged. Up to 40 people have been injured though not seriously, its general secretary, Rana Dasgupta, told Reuters.

China says 'closely' following situation in Bangladesh

China on Tuesday reacted guardedly to the unfolding crisis in Bangladesh leading to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster, saying it is "closely" following the situation in the violence-hit country.

"China is closely following the developments in Bangladesh," the Chinese Foreign Ministry said in response to media queries.

"As a friendly neighbour and comprehensive strategic cooperative partner of Bangladesh, China sincerely hopes that social stability will be restored soon in the country,” the ministry said.

If Sheikh Hasina wishes to stay in India, govt likely to consider it favourably: Former envoy

Sheikh Hasina has been a "good friend of India" and if she wishes to stay on, the central government is likely to consider it "very favourably", a former high commissioner of India to Bangladesh said on Tuesday.

Hasina landed at the Hindon airbase near Delhi on Monday as part of her plan to go to London, hours after she resigned as the Bangladesh prime minister following weeks of anti-government protests that killed nearly 300 people.

Ramdev condemns targeted attacks on Hindu establishments in Bangladesh

Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday condemned the targeted attacks on temples, houses and commercial establishments of the Hindus in Bangladesh and asked the Centre to do all it can politically and diplomatically to protect the Hindu minority in the neighbouring country.

He also asked the Centre to deal sternly with people floating videos on social media platforms with the intention to foment trouble and create instability in India.

His remarks came a day after Sheikh Hasina quit as the Bangladesh prime minister and fled from the country following protests that began over a controversial job quota system. Violence continued even after her ouster.

Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe says concerned about Sheikh Hasina's plight

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday expressed concern over the plight of Sheikh Hasina and said if she had released former premier Khaleda Zia from jail long ago, she would still be Bangladesh's Prime Minister.

"While I do not want to comment on the internal politics of Bangladesh which is a friendly country, I would like to make a note. Although she has left her post, we must remember that she lent our country USD 200 million at the most difficult moment of our country," Wickremesinghe said at an event in Colombo.

"I think it’s only fair to say some good words about a person who’s really down at the moment. I also welcome the fact that Khaleda Zia has been released from jail. If Sheikh Hasina had done it long ago, she would have still been Prime Minister,” he added.