"Dealing with Bangladesh is centre's responsibility": TMC's Kunal Ghosh slams Bhagwat's remarks

Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], December 22 (ANI): Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Kunal Ghosh has strongly criticised Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks on the situation of minorities in Bangladesh, asserting that the issue falls squarely within the domain of the Union government and not state or opposition parties.
Speaking with the media, Ghosh said the TMC disagrees with the RSS chief's views. "... Our views do not align with Mohan Bhagwat's views." If he wants to say anything about Bangladesh, he should speak with the central government. BJP's government is there at the centre, and RSS is the soul of BJP," Ghosh said.
Emphasising that Bangladesh is a separate country in itself, the TMC leader added, "Bangladesh is a separate country. TMC has condemned this. But, TMC cannot do anything there, and this is the responsibility of the central government..."
Meanwhile, Congres MP Sukhdeo Bhagat also reacted to Bhagwat's comments, cautioning against what he described as a "narrow mindset." While expressing concern over developments in Bangladesh, he added that the security of Indians abroad was the responsibility of the Indian government and stressed the need for a harmonious social environment.
Speaking to ANI, he said, "I think that even today, there should not be a narrow mindset... If you are separating someone based on religion, then it is not a good sign. It is the duty of the government of that country to protect every citizen... Today, developments in Bangladesh are very concerning to us... I would like to say to the country, especially to the PM, that without power, there is no peace. We need to use power for security... And I am not just talking about Bangladesh; everywhere where there are Indians, their security becomes the responsibility of the government... There should not be a hostile environment in society; there should be a harmonious one. This becomes the responsibility of the government."
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Sunday urged the central government to "take cognisance" of the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, and urged the Hindus in the neighbouring country to stay "united for maximum protection." He also called on the global Hindu community to help them in times of need.
Bhagwat further expressed confidence in the government's ability to address the issue, noting that while some details have been disclosed, others cannot be.
"The Indian government will have to take cognisance of this. They will have to do something. They might already be doing something. Some things are disclosed, some cannot be. Sometimes there are results, sometimes there aren't. But something has to be done," he said here in Kolkata at an RSS event.
While claiming that the "only country for Hindus is India," Bhagwat urged the Hindus in Bangladesh to stay united.
"They (Hindus) are a minority there, and the situation is quite difficult. Even though it's difficult, for maximum protection, the Hindus there will have to stay united. And Hindus worldwide must support them. We must help them as much as we can, within our limits. We have to do everything we can, and we are. The only country for Hindus is India," he said.
Replying to a question from BJP leader Suvendhu Adhikari about "Islamic fundamentalism" in West Bengal, Bhagwat said that if Hindu society stays united, "it won't take long to change the situation in Bengal."
"If the Hindu society stands united, it won't take long to change the situation in Bengal. Regarding my thoughts on political change, I want to say that thinking about it is not my responsibility. We are working for social change through the Sangh," he said.
Bhagwat's comments come four days after a 27-year-old Hindu youth, Dipu Chandra Das, was brutally killed in Bangladesh's Mymensingh over alleged blasphemy, and his body was subsequently set on fire on December 18.
The incident sparked widespread outrage and condemnation. Chief Adviser of the Interim government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, confirmed on Sunday that 10 individuals were arrested in connection with the murder. (ANI)