Bangladesh unrest: Opposition parties extend support to government

New Delhi: After External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar briefed the Parliament over political unrest in Bangladesh, the Opposition parties extended their support to the government in whatever decision it takes while pressing for the safe return of Indian Nationals stranded in the neighbouring country.

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.

Congress MP KC Venugopal said that everyone is worried about the situation, especially the Indians there.

"We are also waiting for the action from the government of India. Everybody is worried about the situation in Bangladesh and how the situation is going to affect India, especially the Indians living in Bangladesh. I think the government will take proactive action on that. We are all waiting for that," he said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the statement from the EAM was very mature considering the fragile situation.

"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," she said.

"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.

Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi said that all party meetings should happen on a regular basis.

"We found a lot of important things in the statement of the External Affairs Minister (EAM). We feel that the statement is very sensitive. An all-party meeting was held today, such meetings should happen again and again so that as the situations change, the leaders of parties are made aware of it so that the Governments at the border (bordering states), be it NDA or any other party, should be alert...If we regulate our work in such a way, then I think that in the time to come, we will be able to control the political ties between India and Bangladesh," Gogoi said.

BJD MP Sasmit Patra said that all opposition parties have decided to cooperate and support the government.

"The situation in Bangladesh is very sad. I am sure that the Government of India is working to look for a solution," he said.

West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said that seeing the situation (of minorities) in Bangladesh, everyone has to accept the importance of the CAA.

"History is being repeated in Bangladesh. Minority Hindus and temples are being attacked," Adhikari said.

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma said that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation.

"I am hopeful that the situation in Bangladesh will get normal and the minorities will be safe," he said.

BJP MP Raju Bista said, "I express sympathy with the people of Bangladesh. The Indian government is taking the necessary steps. The situation is very worrisome for the states bordering Bangladesh. Given the situation in Bangladesh, I am concerned and worried about the possible increase in the number of infiltrations from Bangladesh."

Gujarat Education Minister Praful Pansheriya said that 20 students from Bangladesh who are studying at Gujarat University, sponsored by the Government of India, are safe.

"The responsibility for security of all students has been taken up by the University and Government of Gujarat. All of them are safe and there is no problem. Out of these 20 students, 8 are girls and 12 are boys," the Education Minister added.

Yog Guru Baba Ramdev on Tuesday expressed concern regarding the situation in Bangladesh amid the ongoing unrest in the South Asian country.

"There should be no cruelty or atrocity on Hindus in Bangladesh - be it the Hindus who are involved in trade there, or Hindu temples there, or Indians living there. For this, the entire country has to be united. I am happy to see that for the first time, the entire Opposition is with the Government and this indeed should be the policy of India. Otherwise, the manner in which Islamic radicalism is expanding across the world and the manner in which it has knocked at the neighbourhood of India, it can be dangerous for the country," he said.

"This unity should continue even in the time to come. Those who want to divide the country in the name of reservation, caste, religious fanaticism - it is not right. So, India's politics should be focused on issues," Baba Ramdev added in a self-made video.

Amid the unrest in Bangladesh, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) leader Clyde Crasto on Tuesday said that the central government should ensure that Indian students studying in Bangladesh come back safely to the country.

Speaking with ANI, NCP (SCP) leader and National Spokesperson Clyde Crasto said, "What is happening in Bangladesh is a very sensitive issue...What is happening there in Bangladesh is dangerous to democracy and it can have repercussions across the neighbouring countries...I hope the decisions taken in the all-party meeting are favourable to our country...Central government should make sure that the Indian students studying in Bangladesh come back to India safely..."

Union Minister of State for Railways and Food Processing expressed concern over attacks on religious places in Bangladesh and sought the protection of Sikh Gurdwaras located in Dhaka and Hindu temples in the country.

Bittu wrote an official letter to the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and urged him to take up with the Army authorities in Bangladesh to protect two historical Sikh shrines, Gurdwara Nanak Shahi and Gurdwara Sangat Tola situated in Dhaka.

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 in both Houses 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.

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".