Title: PM should ask Bangladesh to stop minority repression: VHP
Author:
Publication: Rediff On The Net
Date: Dec 3, 2001
URL: http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/dec/03vhp.htm
The Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Monday asked Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to put pressure on the
Bangladesh government to stop repression of the minority Hindu community, besides demanding a
'separate homeland' for them within its boundaries.
Blaming Bangladesh Prime Minister Khalida Zia, senior VHP leader Ashok Singhal said, "Vajpayee and Foreign
Minister Jaswant Singh should exert pressure on the neighbouring government and ensure that the atrocities
against the minorities were put to an end."
"If nothing goes well, then the Bangladesh government should be threatened," Singhal added.
The VHP leader said pressure should also be exerted on it to provide a separate homeland within the boundaries
of Bangladesh, where the Hindu minorities could stay without any fear.
He also demanded that the matter be raised at the United Nations, besides ensuring that proper refugee camps
were provided in the district adjoining the Bangladesh border.
He blamed leftist governments in Tripura and West Bengal for not taking any concrete measures for the
refugees.
Singhal said his organisation was ready to extend all help to the government in setting up camps in areas adjoining
the border in Tripura and West Bengal.