NEW DELHI: Amid rising attacks on minority groups in Bangladesh, India’s neighbour on its right marked Minorities’ Day on Sunday with calls to promote “interfaith harmony” and “tolerance” in the country.
Pakistan president Zardari “urged all segments of society to educate people about their rights and work for promoting interfaith harmony, the spirit of love, tolerance, brotherhood, and unity to make Pakistan a strong country,” Dawn reported.
Acknowledging their role in the freedom struggle, Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “Our minority community played a key role in the Pakistan Movement and, since the creation of Pakistan, has been contributing immensely to nation-building.”
In 2009, the government designated August 11 as National Minorities Day to honor the historic speech made by Muhammad Ali Jinnah on that date in 1947.
This comes as Bangladesh is witnessing widespread violence against minorities after Sheikh Hasina fled the country and took refuge in India.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) reported that numerous Hindu homes and businesses were vandalized, and several temples were damaged. While there have been no reported fatalities, the attacks have caused dozens of injuries.
Bangladesh’s interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Saturday condemned the attacks calling them “heinous.” He urged the youth to stand up and safeguard Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm.
Foreign minister S Jaishankar said in Rajya Sabha that the Indian government was continuously engaging in discussions with the Bangladesh interim government.
Pakistan president Zardari “urged all segments of society to educate people about their rights and work for promoting interfaith harmony, the spirit of love, tolerance, brotherhood, and unity to make Pakistan a strong country,” Dawn reported.
Acknowledging their role in the freedom struggle, Pakistan prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “Our minority community played a key role in the Pakistan Movement and, since the creation of Pakistan, has been contributing immensely to nation-building.”
In 2009, the government designated August 11 as National Minorities Day to honor the historic speech made by Muhammad Ali Jinnah on that date in 1947.
This comes as Bangladesh is witnessing widespread violence against minorities after Sheikh Hasina fled the country and took refuge in India.
The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) reported that numerous Hindu homes and businesses were vandalized, and several temples were damaged. While there have been no reported fatalities, the attacks have caused dozens of injuries.
Bangladesh’s interim leader and Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Saturday condemned the attacks calling them “heinous.” He urged the youth to stand up and safeguard Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm.
Foreign minister S Jaishankar said in Rajya Sabha that the Indian government was continuously engaging in discussions with the Bangladesh interim government.
Source : Times of India
