International Desk

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called on the Indian central government to seek the deployment of United Nations peacekeepers to ensure the security of religious minorities in neighbouring Bangladesh.

She made the call during the winter session of the West Bengal Assembly on Monday, Indian broadcaster NDTV reports.

Mamata also urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to personally intervene to ensure the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

According to NDTV, Mamata’s comments come in the wake of reports about the arrest of three priests from the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh.

Her statement adds a new layer of complexity to the already strained relations between Bangladesh and India, particularly since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on Aug 5.

"We have families... properties... and loved ones in Bangladesh. We accept whatever stance the Government of India takes on this...but we condemn atrocities on religious grounds anywhere in the world and appeal to the union government, and the prime minister, to intervene," Mamata is quoted as saying by NDTV.

The Trinamool Congress leader also mentioned her discussions with ISKCON leaders in Kolkata, where she expressed solidarity with those affected.

"If Indians are attacked in Bangladesh, then we cannot tolerate it. We can bring back our people... Government of India can take this matter up with the United Nations... so a peacekeeping force can be sent."

According to the Kolkata-based Bengali daily Anandabazar, Mamata noted that the authority to make decisions on the matter ultimately lies with the central government, and said her state government will abide by their directives.

Earlier, Mamata expressed similar sentiments at Kolkata Airport, saying she would support the central government’s position regarding the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari in Bangladesh.

However, during Monday's assembly session, Mamata criticised the central government for its lack of action. “I’ve observed for the last 10 days that the central government has remained silent. Meanwhile, their party [BJP] is making statements like, ‘We’ll block everything.’ But West Bengal has no authority in this matter,” she said.

NDTV reports that Modi held a meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar last week to discuss the developments in Bangladesh. Following this, the Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement expressing concern over the situation and urging the protection of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

In parliament, Jaishankar reiterated that the Indian government is closely monitoring the situation and taking the issue of “minority persecution” in Bangladesh very seriously.