"Trying to make Bangladesh part of India": Hindu journalist attacked in Bangladesh

Senior journalist Munni Saha was detained by police in Dhaka on the night of November 30, 2024, after a mob surrounded her in the Karwan Bazar area. The crowd accused Saha of spreading misinformation and attempting to undermine the sovereignty of Bangladesh by advocating for the country to merge with India. The mob reportedly shouted at her, blaming her for stirring unrest and the deaths of students during the anti-reservation protests in 2007. In response to the accusations, Saha repeatedly stated, “This is also my country.” The police arrived at the scene and took her away for safety. Authorities later confirmed that she had suffered a panic attack, which contributed to the decision to release her. Police stated that no formal arrest was made.

Munni Saha, who was the former head of news at ATN News, has been a prominent figure in Bangladesh's media landscape. She has been involved in multiple legal cases over the years. One of the significant cases occurred during the anti-reservation protests, where Saha faced charges related to the deaths of students and citizens. These charges have been a source of controversy, and her involvement in the media during politically sensitive periods has made her a subject of scrutiny. More recently, in October 2024, the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) initiated an investigation into her bank accounts, seeking documentation regarding her financial transactions.

The incident involving Saha occurred against the backdrop of rising tensions regarding the treatment of minority communities in Bangladesh. Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, a vocal critic of the persecution of Hindus, was arrested on November 26, 2024, for making remarks about the targeting of Hindus. Das, who had previously been associated with the ISKCON organization, is facing sedition charges. His arrest followed a protest by members of the Hindu community in Bangladesh demanding legal protection and the establishment of a dedicated ministry for minority affairs. Following the arrest, ISKCON reported vandalism at its centers in Bangladesh, raising concerns about the safety of religious minorities in the country. ISKCON also announced that two more monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, were arrested after meeting Chinmoy Krishna Das.

In light of these developments, Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, is facing growing international pressure over its treatment of religious minorities and the safety of journalists. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has expressed concern over the escalating violence and the rise in extremist rhetoric targeting minority communities, particularly Hindus. The MEA has also raised the issue of press freedom in Bangladesh, noting that several journalists have faced legal actions under the current government. India has urged the Bangladesh government to take stronger measures to protect its minority groups and ensure the safety of journalists.