Today, On 24th February, The Supreme Court of India refused to hear a PIL seeking protection for Hindus in Bangladesh amid reports of violence against minorities. The court stated that it cannot interfere in the internal matters of another country. The plea had urged the Indian government to take steps to safeguard Hindu minorities facing atrocities.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that aimed to protect Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh amid ongoing violence.
Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar stated that the issue falls under foreign affairs, and the Court cannot intervene in another country’s internal matters.
Following this, the petitioner withdrew the plea, leading to its dismissal.
The petition submitted by Rajesh Dhanda, a businessman and philanthropist from Ludhiana and Chairman of the Bhagwan Jagannath Rath Yatra Mahotsav Committee, who also serves as Vice Chairman of the ISKCON Mandir Steering Board.
It sought not only the protection of Hindus from violence in Bangladesh but also an extension of the deadline for citizenship applications for Hindus who entered India due to the violence.
The plea called for the Supreme Court to direct the Central government to take immediate diplomatic action, as recognized by international law, to address the persecution and atrocities faced by Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh.
Additionally, it requested that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) instruct the Indian High Commission in Bangladesh to provide aid to affected Hindu minorities experiencing religious and state-sponsored persecution.
The petition highlighted instances in modern history where countries utilized international platforms, such as the International Court of Justice and the United Nations, to address human rights violations in other nations. It contended that the MEA and MHA have not taken significant international measures to safeguard the rights of minorities in Bangladesh, who are reportedly facing severe threats and attacks.
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The court also noted that the situation for minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains, is getting worse, causing fears of large-scale migration due to government-backed violence. The plea stressed the need for immediate political action and following international laws to stop the attacks on Hindus, especially after religious groups gained power following the fall of an elected government.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act of 2019 established a cut-off date of December 31, 2014, for eligibility for benefits under the Act. The plea argued that the recent violence and killings of Hindus in Bangladesh necessitate an extension of this cut-off date.
It concluded by asserting that Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh or Pakistan require immediate intervention and support from the Indian government.