Pushpita Gupta: ‘Nobody we can talk to now in Bangladesh… progressive Muslims have left or are hiding’

What is the agenda of your visit?

The safety of families, safety of my community, Hindu community in Bangladesh, I have been in this fight for more than 20 years. I genuinely love my country. My father and grandfather were freedom fighters. I will be fighting for Hindus’ rights in Bangladesh… There is large-scale violence against Hindus. So that’s why we are here.

What is the current situation, and is it different from PM Sheikh Hasina’s time?

Bangladesh is not safe at the moment. There is nobody we can sit down and talk to now. We could talk to her when she was in power…we had the opportunity to talk… submit a report, or we had police protection… Majority of the Muslim population, progressive Muslims, have either left the country or are hiding themselves, because if they speak for Hindus, they will be attacked.

Have you approached the UK government?

…I keep my Labour party identity completely separate from my human rights activism. I do raise these issues with my local MP, as a constituent. I raised these issues with (UK Foreign Secretary) David Lammy and Catherine West (Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Indo-Pacific), as she is responsible for South Asian countries.

What was their response?

Everybody is shocked… there was a lot of talk in (UK’s) Parliament, lots of questions being asked to Catherine West because she recently visited Bangladesh, and Prof Yunus assured her he will provide more police officers for protection of Hindus… MPs from the Labour and Conservative party discussed the issues in the British Parliament. They have been asking Catherine West and saying the government should (and) must do something about it.

What do you expect the Indian government to do?

Lots of people are (living) in fear in Bangladesh, especially women… The Hindu community’s sacrifice for the country is enormous. So the Indian government must acknowledge it. The involvement of Islamist groups is not only dangerous for Bangladesh, but it is dangerous for India too and the whole world.

What is your message for the Indian government?

My message will be to protect my community, my families, the women in Bangladesh and children — they are suffering. Please protect them. And speak up for the Bangladeshi Hindus, Bangladesh Hindus’ lives matter.

The Bangladesh government says Hasina’s statements are vitiating the atmosphere, and she should be sent back for trial. How do you view this?

Bangladesh, as a country, is not safe for anybody. I am just a simple person, but I am not going to Bangladesh… she was the PM of Bangladesh…

How do you see Bangladesh Army’s role in this?

The Bangladesh Army is very biased. They are not supporting Hindus. Rather, they are attacking Hindus.

Prof Yunus has said elections will be held by 2025-end or early 2026.

I don’t think that’s going to happen because I don’t trust Dr Yunus. He leads an illegal government. He should apologise to that nation for so many killings.