New Delhi

Nine eminent Muslims of Delhi have expressed their anguish over the continuing harsh treatment and victimization of minorities in Bangladesh and asked the Muhammad Yunus regime to rein in elements behind it.

In a signed statement addressed to the Bangladesh regime head Muhammad Yunus, these Muslims have said the treatment of minorities in his country is “appalling and of immense concern to Indian Muslims.”

It reads:

“As Muslims, we are dismayed and disappointed at such un-Islamic behaviour, patently against the tenets of Islam and the path shown by the Prophet.

“We truly hope the Govt of Bangladesh comes down heavily on all communal elements and ensures full security to its Hindu population as well as other minorities. We univocally condemn it.

“It is an act of cowardice that projects Islam in a negative light, which stresses the importance of protection of the minorities. The treatment of minorities is a critical test for democracy.

“Minorities should be protected in all societies irrespective of their race or religion.

Most distressing is the development that no lawyer is prepared to defend the aggrieved for fear of reprisals from their co-religionists.

“If the present Bangladesh government does not curb this deplorable development, it would reflect tacit support. South Asia needs to reflect on this sordid development, engulfing the region.

“We must speak out and condemn this violation of human rights and the UN charter of safeguarding the interests of minorities. We strongly condemn this mistreatment of the minorities and urge the Bangladesh authorities to take immediate and corrective actions.

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The signatories to the letter are:

S.Y. Quraishi, former Chief Election Commissioner of India, Dr. Najeeb Jung, Former LG of Delhi and Ex-Vice Chancellor, JMI, Lt. Gen (retd) Zameer Uddin Shah, Former Deputy Chief of Army Staff and Ex Vice Chancellor, AMU, Shahid Siddiqui, Former MP & Editor, Nai Duniya Duniya, Saeed Mustafa Shervani, Industrialist and Former President Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India.