Mamata urges UN Peacekeeping in Bangladesh, seeks PM Modi's intervention

Expressing her concerns, the Trinamul Congress supremo made the appeal while speaking during the winter session at the Assembly. She also informed that a proposal on the burning issue would be sent to the Centre soon.

Further, Ms Banerjee called for a statement either by Prime Minister Narendra Modi or external affairs minister (EAM) S Jaishankar in the ongoing winter session of the Parliament to clarify the Centre's stand on the turmoil in Bangladesh.

The CM said in the House, “We propose that the Centre should request the UN to send peacekeeping force to Bangladesh. Let the PM make a statement in the House on the issue. If he can't, the EAM can also do it. We have no right to take a decision on this. We will follow what the Centre does.”

“However,” she pointed out, “We will not tolerate if Indians are targeted in Bangladesh. We can bring them back here. We have our close people, families and properties there. But we condemn if anyone faces religious persecution anywhere in the world. We request the PM and Centre to intervene.”

Lashing out at the BJP, the TMC chief questioned the union government's silence on the attacks on the Hindus in the neighbouring country.

“I have been observing that the central government has been maintaining silence for the last ten days. But the ruling party at the helm claims that it has the power to stop everything. As per international protocol, such actions are not within our jurisdiction and can only be enforced by the Centre.”

Offering shelter to persecuted Indians if needed, Ms Banerjee added, “We have no problem sharing our resources with those in need. There will be no shortage of food for them. We can share it with them on the same plate.”

She underlined the importance of maintaining harmony and fostering cordial relations among all the communities in Bangladesh. The CM referred to the arrest of 79 Indian fishermen detained in Bangladeshi waters recently and highlighted the need for their immediate release in view of India’s swift return of Bangladeshi fishermen in similar circumstances.