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Bangladesh: Islamist Party calls protest over India’s Waqf Act amid rising attacks on minorities at home

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Dhaka/New Delhi, April 23: Bangladesh’s far-right Islamist political outfit, Khelafat Majlish, is set to stage a mass march and submit a memorandum to the Indian Embassy in Dhaka on Wednesday, demanding the repeal of the recently passed Waqf (Amendment) Act by the Indian Parliament.

According to local media reports, Khelafat Majlish chief Maulana Mamunul Haque claimed that Muslim-owned lands in India were being encroached upon, alleging that properties governed by Islamic endowments (Waqf) were being illegally acquired to build various structures, including temples.

In a provocative statement, Haque accused India of giving legal backing to these alleged actions through the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025.

“We have already expressed our anger and condemnation of these steps. Muslims across India erupted in protest against the Bill. This Bill basically interferes with the religious laws and rights of Muslims,” he said.

Haque further urged the global Muslim community to raise its voice against what he called the “killing of Muslims by the Indian state and interference in their religious matters.”

The announcement of the protest comes at a time when Bangladesh itself is under scrutiny over a spate of violent attacks against minority communities, including Hindus and Christians, especially in the aftermath of the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

India has strongly condemned recent acts of violence in Bangladesh, particularly the abduction and murder of Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a well-known Hindu community leader in northern Bangladesh.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the incident as part of a disturbing pattern of minority persecution under the country’s interim administration.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, in a post on X, said, “We have noted with distress the abduction and brutal killing of Shri Bhabesh Chandra Roy, a Hindu minority leader in Bangladesh. This killing follows a pattern of systematic persecution of Hindu minorities under the interim government, even as the perpetrators of previous such events roam with impunity.”

“We condemn this incident and once again remind the interim government to live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities, including Hindus, without inventing excuses or making distinctions,” he added.

India has previously voiced similar concerns regarding rising attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh, but Roy’s murder has drawn particular attention due to his prominence in the Hindu community.

The Indian government’s response is being seen as a clear signal that it will not remain silent on the issue of minority rights in the neighbouring country.

The Khelafat Majlish protest plan, viewed in India as a politically motivated move, has triggered responses from analysts and officials who suggest it is an attempt to divert attention from the internal human rights issues plaguing Bangladesh, particularly those targeting vulnerable minority populations.

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Struck Patriot radar system, US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, airbase in Jordan: Iran

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Tehran, July 14: The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday struck several facilities of the US military, including a Patriot radar system and the headquarters of the Fifth Fleet in Bahrain and American targets in Jordan, local media reported.

According to the latest statements by the IRGC on Tuesday, its Navy struck several weapons support depots, a satellite communications centre, accommodation used by US troops, and several military radar systems in Bahrain, Press TV reported.

The IRGC also noted that its Aerospace Force had conducted “coordinated missile and drone strikes” against the US Fifth Fleet’s headquarters, setting its fuel storage facilities “ablaze.”

“They also struck and destroyed a Patriot radar system, the Fifth Fleet’s air-control radar, and a C-RAM early warning radar system,” it added.

“A key facility and the location where the American enemy was stationed at an airbase” in Jordan was also struck by a “ballistic missile,” said another statement.

“This base had been used to launch attacks against us, and the American criminals have now been made to pay for their actions,” the Corps said, as reported by Press TV.

It also noted that the IRGC underlined that the reprisal is not against the Jordanian nation.

Meanwhile, the United States launched another round of strikes against Iran on Monday (US time), the US Central Command said in a statement.

“At 4:45 p.m. ET today, US Central Command began launching the third consecutive night of strikes against Iran, at the Commander in Chief’s direction,” the command said.

“We’re going to hit them very hard tonight, and we’re going to hit them hard tomorrow,” US President Donald Trump said at the White House earlier on Monday.

He also said wealthy Gulf nations should reimburse the United States for protecting one of the world’s most strategically important regions, arguing that Washington is bearing the cost of defending allies despite no longer depending on Middle Eastern oil.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said countries benefiting from US military operations should help finance those efforts.

“I want to be reimbursed because we’re protecting a very rich portion of the world,” he said.

Trump said the United States was safeguarding key regional partners while maintaining security in the Gulf.

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Have been long-standing partner of Palestine: India reaffirms continued support to two state solution

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Brussels, July 14: India has reaffirmed its continued support for a two-state solution, as well as for Palestine’s membership of the United Nations (UN), at the Second Ministerial Meeting of the Palestine Donor Group (PDG) in Brussels.

Sripriya Ranganathan, Secretary (CPV & OIA), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), represented India during the meeting, which was jointly organised by the European Commission and the Palestine Authority on Monday (local time). The meeting also saw participation from European Union Member States, Palestine and other key international partners and financial institutions.

“At the meeting, the Secretary emphasised that India has been a long-standing partner of the Palestinian people, and reaffirmed India’s continued support to a two-state solution, as well as to Palestine’s membership of the UN. She underlined India’s ongoing developmental assistance, including capacity building programmes and humanitarian assistance to the people of Palestine, noting that India’s projects are demand-driven and largely centred on healthcare, education, capacity building, and vocational training,” stated the MEA.

While stating that India is currently engaged in major projects in healthcare, women’s empowerment and institution building in Palestine, she announced several new projects focused on rehabilitation, health, education and vocational training.

While in Brussels, the Secretary also attended a meeting hosted by the incoming Chair of the Advisory Commission of UNRWA, wherein she highlighted India’s continued support to the Agency and its efforts in Palestine.

“India remains a dedicated partner that contributes tangibly towards meeting the humanitarian needs of the people of Palestine,” stated the MEA.

Last month, Palestinian Ambassador to India, Abdullah Abu Shawesh, expressed confidence that India is a strong supporter of the two-state solution.

In an interview with media, Abdullah Abu Shawesh said, “We strongly believe that India stands strong to support the two-state solution. India used to support the Palestinian people when it came to the United Nations resolutions, voting in favour of the resolutions and even on the ground, India is heavily invested in the peace process and has implemented a lot of projects on the ground in Palestine. One very important issue: we are very close to starting a new project, or India is starting to implement a very important project, which is building a hospital in Palestine, particularly in the West Bank.”

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EAM Jaishankar discusses global hotspots, cooperation with UN chief (Ld)

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External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar discussed the situations in a range of hotspots around the world at a meeting with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday (local time).

India’s cooperation with the UN also figured in their discussions, Jaishankar said in a post on X.

They “discussed global developments, including of West Asia, Ukraine and Sudan”, he said in his post.

“Also recognised the strength of India-UN cooperation”, he added.

The situation in West Asia, where the confrontation between the US and Iran has reignited, is a matter of deep concern for India.

It is highly dependent on the energy supplies coming through the Strait of Hormuz, and the conflict has crimped them.

Jaishankar was on a lightning visit to New York to launch India’s candidature in next year’s election to the Security Council.

He met Guterres after the event at which he laid out India’s agenda for the Council at a time “we are witnessing levels of conflict, violence, and instability that threaten even those who may be very far away”.

Speaking to delegates and diplomats who will elect a country to represent the Asia Pacific region for the term starting in 2028, the minister said, “In a world with too many conflicts and tensions, India has consistently espoused dialogue and diplomacy. We have sought to bridge differences”.

“Our focus has been on mitigating the impact of these developments for the Global South”, he said.

He presented a six-point manifesto centred on Shanti, a profoundly significant acronym for “Securing Holistic Advancement through Norms, Trust (and) Integrity”.

The discussions focused on pressing international crises and the continued cooperation between India and the United Nations on a range of global issues.

India will contest next year’s election at the UN General Assembly for the Asia-Pacific non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the 2028–2029 term. If elected, it will mark the country’s ninth term as an elected member of the 15-member Council.

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