In a strong condemnation of rising communal violence, Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Minority Morcha National President, Jamal Siddiqui, has spoken out against the brutal mob lynching of a Hindu youth in Bangladesh. He linked the incident to a dangerous trend of radicalisation in the neighbouring country and issued a stark warning about similar patterns emerging in West Bengal under Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's rule.
Condemnation of a Brutal Killing
The incident that sparked the outcry occurred on December 18 in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh. A young Hindu man named Dipu Chandra Das was allegedly lynched by a mob over accusations of blasphemy. In a horrifying turn, his body was subsequently set on fire. This violence took place amidst a backdrop of anti-India protests, which were triggered by the killing of Sharif Osman Hadi, a leader associated with the movement that opposed the Sheikh Hasina government.
Reacting to the gruesome event, Siddiqui stated that such acts "shame the world and bring disrepute to Islam." He made a clear distinction between the faith and extremist actions, asserting, "There is no true Islam in Bangladesh because where there is radicalisation, there is no Islam. Radicalisation is not a part of Islam." His comments were reported by the news agency ANI.
Allegations of Growing Extremism and a Warning to Bengal
Siddiqui alleged that radical elements have gained significant influence in Bangladesh, leading to increased attacks on minorities, particularly the Hindu community. He drew a parallel with the situation in Pakistan, highlighting a concerning pattern.
The BJP leader also issued a strong political warning, directly targeting West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC). He accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of fostering radicalisation for political gain. "West Bengal, under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee, is following the path of Bangladesh, and if this continues, West Bengal will also not be safe," Siddiqui claimed. He went further, alleging, "Mamata Banerjee is no less than a radicalist or an ISIS leader. Her ideology is a radical ideology, and she promotes radicalisation so that she can use it as a vote bank."
He vowed political resistance, stating, "We will not let West Bengal become like Bangladesh. In the 2026 elections, the people of India and Bengal will free Bengal from Mamata Didi."
Call for Action and India's Stance
Questioning the seriousness of the Bangladeshi authorities' response, Siddiqui called the arrests made so far "just a show." He appealed to secular and humanitarian forces within Bangladesh to stand with the Hindu minority and ensure their justice and security.
Emphasising India's potential role, Siddiqui declared that Indian Muslims and the BJP stand united in condemning the atrocities. "If needed, we will actively stand with our Hindu brothers and fight alongside them in Bangladesh," he said. He also indicated that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation, adding, "Our PM Narendra Modi is keeping a very close watch on this. If necessary, India will not hesitate to teach Bangladesh a lesson."
In his concluding remarks, Siddiqui expressed sadness that "Bangladesh is becoming like Syria and other radical countries," and claimed that the people in power there "are radicalised, they are people who spread terror." He affirmed that India would support efforts to free Bangladesh from such influences.
