Civil Lines BJP MLA, Gopal Sharma, returned to Jaipur after visiting Dhaka, Bangladesh. In a special conversation with ‘The Daily Guardian’, he expressed concern over the treatment of minority Hindus in Bangladesh. He said that there is fear among Hindus there and endure various forms of suffering. Sharma said that he had already decided that this year, he will celebrate New Year among the Hindu brothers and sisters of Bangladesh. He said that he went to various places including ISKCON headquarters, Dhakeshwari Mata Temple and interacted with Hindus there. Here are edited excerpts of the interview:
Q: After your visit to Bangladesh, what kind of atmosphere did you observe there?
A: The situation in Bangladesh right now is like the one in India in 1975. I want to compare the situation with India because here, during Indira Gandhi’s rule, there was anger among students and unrest among the public. People thought about how the country would run properly. The Emergency was imposed to suppress the public’s demands for change. I have found the situation in Bangladesh to be the same. At present, the entire leadership there is in the hands of the youth. They are taking decisions for Bangladesh. They are associated with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Khaleda Zia. They all want elections to be held. Elections could mean that given the current situation, BNP will come to power there. The situation of BNP is such that when Sheikh Hasina left Bangladesh, the Chinese embassy called Zia and gave her instructions. It is generally believed in Bangladesh that China and Pakistan are supporting the current situation in Bangladesh.
Q: You are an MLA, so were you stopped anywhere in Bangladesh or were you questioned as to why you went there?
A: The hotel near where I stayed was the temporary residence of the head of the interim government of Bangladesh, Mohammad Yunus. The military presence was quite high. One night, when I reached the hotel after meeting my Hindu brothers, I went out for a walk on the road after having dinner. The people there know who a Hindu is. So, the army men stopped me and asked for my introduction. I gave them my full introduction. After this, when they asked the reason for coming to Bangladesh, I said, “I have come to celebrate New Year with my Hindu brothers. Can I not come here?”, they could not give any answer to this.
Q: What did you observe regarding the law and order situation and the condition of minority Hindus during your visit?
A: There is no law and order in Bangladesh right now. There is a constant fear among Hindus. Seventy-five years ago, Hindus made up 22% of the population; today, they are only 7.9%. Love Jihad is rampant, and the worst part is that any Hindu girl who becomes involved with a boy from another community often cannot return to her family. The parents are too fearful to protest. The influence of Pakistan and China has exacerbated the crisis in Bangladesh.
Q: What do you think of the Indian government’s strategy regarding the minority Hindus in Bangladesh?
A: The minority Hindus living in Bangladesh have full faith in the strategy of the Indian government. But there is a feeling in their mind that they are surrounded from all sides. They find it difficult to protect themselves. This was my personal visit, but I went there to understand the condition of Hindus. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Hindus of Bangladesh consider themselves safe. It is a very pleasant thing that Dhakeshwari Mata has been given the status of a national temple there. No mosque has been given this status.
