NEW DELHI: In an open letter, over 650 eminent persons, including former judges, bureaucrats and ambassadors, have urged people of Bangladesh to continue being on the path of peace and friendship that existed between the two nations for five decades.
Former chief election commissioner SY Quraishi also figured among the signatories. The letter called for an immediate end to attacks on minorities, their properties, business establishments and coercion to force them to leave.
They said a close and trustful bilateral relationship is in the long-term interest of the citizens of both the countries, and the people of Bangladesh should not be swayed by malicious anti-India campaigns that seek to weaken the bedrock of the mutually beneficial cooperation that has been steadily developed.
“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 letter noted that the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh have aroused deep concern in India which shares a long border with Bangladesh.
“The worst brunt of the chaotic situation prevailing in Bangladesh is being borne by the 15 million strong minority communities of Bangladesh, including Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, as well as the Shias, Ahmadiyyas and others.