The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front has strongly condemned recent acts of vandalism targeting the Deputy High Commission of Bangladesh in India, the burning of an effigy of the Chief Adviser, and the propagation of fabricated statements by certain Indian political figures and media outlets.
In a press conference held at the Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Auditorium of the National Press Club on Thursday (December 5), the Front called for an end to such "propaganda and terrorist activities" while urging the Indian government to foster mutual understanding and respect.
The platform emphasised the importance of India maintaining friendly relations with Bangladesh based on mutual respect and cooperation. It urged Indian authorities and media to refrain from actions that undermine the sovereignty and harmony of Bangladesh and its people.
“Relations should not be built on religion, caste, or ethnicity but on shared values of respect and collaboration,” the speakers stated, urging Indian media to halt the spread of misinformation and divisive narratives.
In a written statement, Bijan Kanti Das, Chairman of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front, accused the Awami League of systematic persecution of minorities, including Hindus, during its rule.
He alleged that the Awami League leadership has facilitated illegal land grabs and temple vandalism by party activists, while suppressing dissenting voices, including Muslims. “The government has consistently ignored the plight of minorities and instead created an environment of fear and mistrust,” he claimed.
Bijan further criticised the Awami League's alleged favoritism towards India, claiming that its appeasement policies compromised Bangladesh's sovereignty and worsened the plight of its minorities.
The Front urged the Indian government, media, and people to recognize Bangladesh as a country of communal harmony and reject the narrative propagated by Awami League interests. It called for mutual respect for the independence and sovereignty of both nations, highlighting the shared sacrifices of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Christians in the 1971 Liberation War.
“Bangladesh is not a subservient state of any other country,” said Das. “If any attempts are made to undermine our sovereignty, the united people of Bangladesh—Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians—are ready to respond, just as we did in 1971.”
The Welfare Front accused the Awami League of rigging elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 with alleged support from India, undermining democracy. They claimed the party viewed minorities as political tools and neglected their safety and rights.
“Peace-loving Bangladeshis of all religions demand respect and recognition of their shared heritage of harmony,” the Front declared, asserting that the current interim government, led by Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus, is working to rebuild trust and ensure sovereignty.
“Now is the time to strengthen Dhaka-Delhi relations based on equality and mutual trust,” they concluded, urging both nations to focus on progress and stability for the benefit of their people.