Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Feb 23: The Supreme Court is set to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) today, seeking intervention from the Ministry of External Affairs to curb alleged atrocities, violence, and state-sponsored persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh.

As per the causelist on the apex court’s website, a bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna, along with Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan, will hear the plea. The petition also demands an extension of cut-off dates under The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, for Bangladeshi Hindus who fled to India due to recent violence.

The PIL claims that after a political shift in Bangladesh last year, radical Islamist groups have been targeting Hindu minorities through attacks, destruction of temples, and illegal arrests. Filed by advocate Manohar Pratap, the plea cites hundreds of videos allegedly documenting such violence.

The petition also refers to a written reply in Parliament by Union Minister Kirti Vardhan, stating that between November 26, 2024, and January 25, 76 attacks on Hindus were reported in Bangladesh, leading to 23 deaths and 152 temple attacks. The Government of India has raised the issue with Bangladeshi authorities, emphasizing the need for minority protection.

The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter is awaited with keen interest, given its potential implications for India-Bangladesh relations and the implementation of CAA provisions.