Seers urge Centre to ease immigration norms for Bangladeshi Hindus to enter India

AHMEDABAD/JAIPUR, Aug 14: Hindu seers on Wednesday condemned violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh and urged the Centre to relax immigration-related norms to facilitate entry of persecuted Hindus in India.
The Sant Sammelan was organised by Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha, Akhil Bharatiya Sant Samiti and Sanatan Dharma Sanrakshan Samiti in Ahmedabad to condemn the violence against Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster.
A resolution was passed asking the Union government to exert pressure on the interim Bangladesh government to stop attacks on the Hindu community.
Sharda Peeth Shankaracharya Swami Sadanand Saraswati, who presided over the congregation, called for unity among Hindus following the attacks.
Bharat Sadhu Samaj president Muktanand Swami appealed to the Central government to allow persecuted Hindus to enter India.
“This gathering is organised to create awareness about atrocities being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh. We urge the Centre to ease visa and other immigration-related procedures and allow persecuted Bangladeshi Hindus to enter India. All the seers are ready to shelter these Hindus in ashrams and mutts,” said Swami.
Gehlot urges Indian Govt’s intervention
Senior Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday urged the Bangladesh army and acting government to ensure safety of the Hindu minority and sought intervention of the Indian government and international organisations in the matter.
“The targeted violence against religious minority Hindus since the coup in Bangladesh is extremely condemnable,” the former Rajasthan chief minister wrote on X.
“The army and the new acting government there should immediately take steps to stop this violence and the Government of India and international organisations should also make efforts to ensure the safety of Hindus there,” he said.
Calling the atrocities on Hindus in the violence-hit country “very painful”, Gehlot recalled the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 and how the then prime minister Indira Gandhi helped the country gain independence.He added that he had then “got the opportunity to serve in the camps of refugees in the India-Bangladesh border area through Tarun Shanti Sena.” The Congress leader condemned the unfortunate political transition in the country, stating that what began as a change of power has now escalated into violence against religious minorities.
Meanwhile, Hindu outfits in Rajasthan held rallies in Jaipur, Nagaur, and Chittorgarh on Wednesday over the violence against the community in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is witnessing targeted attacks on the Hindu minority community after the fall of the Hasina-led government. (PTI)