Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Monday expressed concern over the troubling reports of ongoing attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, particularly targeting Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. She has urged the interim government in Bangladesh to ensure the safety and protection of these communities.

In a statement on X, the Congress General Secretary condemned any form of discrimination, violence, or attacks based on religion, caste, language, or identity, emphasising that such acts are unacceptable in any civilised society.

“The reports of continuous attacks on minorities in the neighbouring country of Bangladesh are disturbing. Discrimination, violence, and attacks based on religion, caste, language, or identity are unacceptable in any civilised society,” Priyanka Gandhi said in a post in Hindi.

She said she is hoping that the situation in Bangladesh would stabilise soon.

“We hope that the situation in Bangladesh would soon become normal and the interim government there would ensure the safety and respect for people following Hindu, Christian and Buddhist religions,” she added.

Her remarks follow severe political unrest in Bangladesh, resulting in over 500 deaths due to widespread violence after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government last week. The violence has notably targeted Hindu communities. Reports of temple desecrations, vandalised businesses, assaulted women, and the murder of at least two Hindu leaders linked to the Awami League have concerned India. Sheikh Hasina’ has fled to India.

Hindus, the largest minority group in predominantly Muslim Bangladesh, are seen as a key support base for Hasina’s party.

“The attacks on religious minorities in some places have been noted with grave concern,” the interim cabinet said in its first official statement. The cabinet said it would “immediately sit with the representative bodies and other concerned groups to find ways to resolve such heinous attacks”.

Bangladesh’s interim leader and Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus has called for a meeting with Hindu students and community members. Reports indicate that minority communities in Bangladesh have faced at least 205 attacks across 52 districts since August 5. Various minority groups are now demanding legislative measures to protect their rights, and a Hindu student group has prepared an eight-point demand list for Yunus.