685 eminent Indians write open letter to people of B’desh, urge them to prioritise peace, friendship

The letter expressed alarm over the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, highlighting concerns about mob violence, enforced resignations across key sectors, and attacks on minorities. The chaos, it noted, has particularly impacted the 15 million-strong minority communities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, Shias, and Ahmadiyyas.

“People of India view with increasing alarm and concern the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh. An atmosphere of anarchy prevails in Bangladesh, with mobocracy the preferred method of decision-making. A pattern of enforced resignations has been followed across the country in the public and private sectors, covering the judiciary, the executive (including the police), academia and even media houses.”

“The police force has still not returned to duty in full force and, despite the army having been given magistracy and police powers, normalcy has yet to return,” it said.

“This volatile situation poses a humanitarian crisis and risks spilling across borders, disrupting communal harmony and creating serious law and order challenges in India,” the letter stated.

The 685 signatories include:

• 19 retired judges
• 34 former ambassadors
• 300 academicians, including vice chancellors of central universities and directors of IITs and IIMs
• 139 former bureaucrats, such as ex-UPSC and NCERT chairpersons, police chiefs, and income tax commissioners
• 192 retired armed forces officers
• 35 civil society members

The letter commended the resolution of key bilateral issues, such as land and maritime borders, and the cooperative efforts in power, connectivity, and infrastructure, which have benefitted Bangladeshi citizens. It urged the people of Bangladesh to reject anti-India campaigns that could weaken these achievements.

“India and Bangladesh have solved major outstanding bilateral issues like land and maritime borders, and have built a pattern of cooperation and investments in power, connectivity and infrastructure development that has benefitted every citizen of Bangladesh. India has been unstinting in its support of Bangladesh, through grants and credit lines on very favourable terms.

“A close, cooperative and trustful bilateral relationship is in the long-term interest of the people of both Bangladesh and India. We urge the people of Bangladesh not to be swayed by malicious anti-India campaigns that seek to weaken the bedrock of mutually beneficial cooperation that has been steadily developed over the last five decades and more,” it said.

Calling for the restoration of democracy and secularism, the letter stressed the importance of free, fair, and inclusive elections. It also demanded an immediate end to attacks on minorities and their properties, describing the current situation as “intolerable and unacceptable to the people of India.”

The signatories expressed hope that both nations would continue along the path of peace, friendship, and understanding, which has been the cornerstone of their relationship for over five decades.

(With Inputs from PTI)