US urges Bangladesh interim govt to protect rights of minority communities

Washington: As Hindus celebrate Durga Puja, their biggest festival, the United States stated that it wanted to see minority communities' rights upheld in Bangladesh.

The statement from the US comes in the wake of reports of allegedly increasing attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh following the resignation of then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her escape to India in August, PTI reported.

“Of course, we want to see the rights of minorities protected in Bangladesh as also is true all around the world,” State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference.

Miller was responding to a question on the threat being posed to the Hindu community by some religious groups as they celebrate their largest festival, Durga Puja.

India has urged the interim Bangladesh government to ensure peaceful religious events for the Hindu community in the South Asian country.

More than 600 persons, including Muslims and Hindus, were killed during violent protests in Bangladesh culminating in the ouster of the Hasina-led Awami League government.

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