Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned attacks on the memorial statue commemorating the Pakistan Army’s surrender in the 1971 war and urged the interim government in Bangladesh to take immediate measures to restore normalcy in the country.
Sharing images of the memorial statue, the Congress leader charged ‘anti-India’ vandals were behind the attacks. “Sad to see images like this of statues at the 1971 Shaheed Memorial Complex, Mujibnagar, destroyed by anti-India vandals. This follows disgraceful attacks on the Indian cultural centre, temples and Hindu homes in several places, even as reports came in of Muslim civilians protecting other minority homes and places of worship,” the Congress leader tweeted.
The Congress leader said the agenda of a section of protesters is quite clear and the interim government led by Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus should take urgent measures to restore law and order in the country. “The agenda of some of the agitators is quite clear. It is essential that@Yunus_Centre and his interim government take urgent steps to restore law & order in the interests of all Bangladeshis, of every faith. India stands with the people of Bangladesh at this turbulent time, but such anarchic excess can never be condoned,” he added.
The widespread protests, which initially began as a quota reform movement later turned to be violent demanding then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's resignation. Around 300 people died in the protests that erupted in the country last month.
Hasina, who is currently in India, fled Bangladesh on August 5 amid violent protests across the country. After her ouster, an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been formed to lead the nation till elections are held in Bangladesh.