Senior Congress leader and Member of Parliament Shashi Tharoor has voiced profound alarm over the escalating violence and lawlessness in neighboring Bangladesh. He warned that the deteriorating situation, marked by street protests and a horrific lynching, poses a direct threat to the country's scheduled general elections in February and the safety of its minority communities.
Lynching in Police Custody a 'Complete Outrage'
Tharoor singled out a specific incident involving the lynching of an individual while in police custody as particularly egregious. He condemned the act as a "truly an outrage" and "completely unwarranted," stressing that the victim had committed no act of blasphemy. "He was in the custody of the police. He should not have been handed over to the mob and lynched in this horrible way," Tharoor stated, highlighting a severe breakdown of law and order.
The Congress MP emphasized India's vested interest in a peaceful and stable Bangladesh. "From our point of view, we want Bangladesh to be stable and calm and we do want the minorities there to feel safe," he said. The broader context of widespread street violence and demonstrations, including protests outside Indian diplomatic missions, has created an atmosphere of instability that is "not conducive" to calm elections.
Rejects Anti-India Rhetoric, Calls for Government Action
Tharoor also firmly dismissed allegations circulating in Bangladesh that India was responsible for the death of a student leader. He labeled such claims as "preposterous" and "baseless," arguing that India has no interest in destabilizing its neighbor. He noted that this rhetoric has unfortunately fostered hostility towards minorities, raising concerns across the region.
Speaking from Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Tharoor urged the Bangladeshi government to move beyond mere statements. "There's not enough for the government of Bangladesh to just express regrets or condemnation. They have to take action because controlling the violence on the streets is their obligation as a government," he asserted. He called for decisive measures, suggesting that if the police cannot control the situation, the army should be deployed to "stop this nonsense."
Elections at Risk, Peaceful Protests in India
The Lok Sabha MP questioned how credible elections could be held amidst such chaos. "How can you have an election in less than two months' time in an atmosphere of lawlessness and intimidation, where the voters may not even feel safe?" he asked, underscoring the urgent need to restore public safety.
Addressing related protests within India, Tharoor acknowledged the democratic right to demonstrate but underscored the importance of peace. "In our democracy, they have a right to do so. I don't think anyone has felt that these protests are getting out of hand. There has been no violence, no lynching," he said, adding that any attempted violence would be clamped down by Indian authorities. He assured that protests in India would not be allowed to cross democratic boundaries.
Tharoor's comments highlight the international concern regarding Bangladesh's pre-election climate, stressing that the responsibility for ensuring a peaceful democratic process lies squarely with the government in Dhaka.
