RSS Chief Says Hindus in Bangladesh Facing Hard Times, Calls for Unity

New Delhi: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said Hindus in Bangladesh, now a small minority, are in a difficult situation. He made the comments while speaking at a programme in Kolkata on Sunday, part of the RSS’s 100‑year celebrations. Bhagwat described the hardships faced by Hindus there and urged the global Hindu community to stay united. He also said India should take note of the developments. 

Why Is This Statement Significant?

Bhagwat’s remarks come at a time when incidents involving minorities in Bangladesh have drawn attention in India. Reports of attacks and killings of members of the Hindu community have fuelled calls by some leaders for greater protection for minorities in the neighbouring country. The situation has also stirred protests and political reactions in parts of India. 

Was the Message Political?

Bhagwat stressed that his comments were about social conditions, not politics. He asked Hindus to focus on unity and cultural strength rather than political battles. The RSS leader also reiterated the organisation's long‑standing view that India's civilisation and cultural roots tie deeply to its Hindu heritage, irrespective of constitutional phrasing. 

How Are Others Responding?

Some political figures have voiced alarm over attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and compared them to broader patterns of violence. For instance, leaders from the BJP’s minority wing condemned the lynching of a young Hindu man in Bangladesh and linked it to growing radicalisation, while also making political references to West Bengal’s governance.

Meanwhile, the Indian government has rejected some Dhaka media reports about a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi as “misleading propaganda”, saying the demonstration was brief and peaceful. Officials also stressed that India is closely monitoring the safety of minorities in Bangladesh and has raised concerns with Dhaka. 

What’s Happening in Bangladesh Right Now?

Bangladesh has seen broader unrest in recent days. The assassination of a prominent student leader in Dhaka sparked large protests and clashes across the country, adding pressure to domestic politics and heightening diplomatic sensitivity with India just weeks before national elections.