SOURCE: AFI
Amid escalating concerns over the reported rise in violence against Hindus in Bangladesh, attributed to what some claim is a U.S.-backed regime, hardline Hindu nationalist groups in India are calling for decisive action. These groups have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the presence of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants living in various parts of the country.
Reports from Bangladesh highlight a troubling increase in attacks on the minority Hindu population. Activists allege that systematic violence, including displacement, destruction of property, and targeted killings, amounts to a genocide against the Hindu community in the neighboring country. The situation has drawn criticism from Hindu nationalist groups in India, who accuse international powers, including the United States, of supporting the Bangladeshi regime despite its alleged failure to protect minorities.
The debate over illegal immigration has long been a contentious issue in Indian politics. The enactment of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in 2019, which grants fast-track citizenship to persecuted minorities from neighboring countries (excluding Muslims), sparked widespread protests and debates. Hardline groups argue that the CAA was a step in the right direction but call for stricter implementation and complementary measures to address illegal immigration comprehensively.
Hardline voices within the nationalist spectrum argue that the government must prioritize the protection of Hindus both within India and in the broader South Asian context. These demands align with their broader ideological commitment to safeguarding Hindu cultural and demographic interests.
India’s relationship with Bangladesh has generally been marked by cooperation, with Prime Minister Modi and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina maintaining cordial ties. However, growing allegations of persecution against Hindus have strained this dynamic, with nationalist groups urging the Indian government to adopt a more assertive stance.