Reacting to External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar’s statement on Bangladesh unrest in Parliament, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi said on Tuesday that his statement was very mature considering the fragile situation, adding that the central government have to ensure that Indians are brought back as soon as normalcy is restored in Dhaka.
Priyanka said, “Considering the situation is very fragile and is still developing, his statement was very mature. The statement is also an indicator of how the Opposition as well as the Government is in tune with whatever decision the Government takes for the interests of our nation considering Bangladesh is our neighbouring state, a border state and we already have a challenge on our hands through Pakistan. We would have to ensure that as soon as possible there is normalcy that returns to Bangladesh, Indians who are there are brought back to India, or some solution is found to all the challenges that we might face.”
“So, he has given his statement but his statement also indicates that it took India off-guard. When he says that the Prime Minister requested for an urgent clearance to be able to come to India, followed by asking for flight clearance which was at very short notice which is what his statement indicates. Also shows that India seems to have been taken by surprise with her resignation as well as her wanting to come to India for asylum till the time she finds a final destination,” the Shiv Sena (UBT) MP added.
Jaishankar on Tuesday said that there are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals of which about 9000 are students while ensuring the country that the government is in close contact with the Indian community in Dhaka.
“We are in close and continuous touch with the Indian community in Bangladesh through our diplomatic missions. There are an estimated 19,000 Indian nationals there of which about 9000 are students. The bulk of the students returned in July,” he said.
He also said that Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina requested approval from India to come at very short notice and she arrived on the evening of Monday.
The External Affairs Minister also mentioned that the government is monitoring the situation with regard to the minorities living in Bangladesh.
Despite the Supreme Court judgement on July 21, there was no letup in protests, the Union minister said.
“Various decisions and actions taken thereafter only exacerbated the situation. The agitation at this stage coalesced around a one-point agenda, that is that the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should step down,” Jaishankar said.
On August 4 the situation in the neighbouring country turned serious, Jaishankar informed the Lok Sabha.
“Attacks on police, including police stations and government installations, intensified even as overall levels of violence greatly escalated. Properties of individuals associated with the regime were torched across the country. What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses and temples also came under attack at multiple locations. The full extent of this is still not clear,” Jaishankar said.
The EAM informed the House that the situation in Bangladesh “is still evolving.”
“Our border guarding forces have been instructed to be exceptionally alert in view of this complex situation. In the last 24 hours, we have been in touch with authorities in Dhaka,” the foreign minister said.
Jaishankar said, “In the last 24 hours, we have also been in regular touch with the authorities in Dhaka. This is the situation as of now”.
“The Union Minister said that he “seeks the understanding and support of the House in regard to sensitive issues regarding an important neighbour on which there has always been strong national consensus.”
