Kolkata, 19 December (H.S.) :West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party president and Rajya Sabha MP Samik Bhattacharya on Friday expressed deep concern over the unfolding situation in neighbouring Bangladesh, alleging that fundamentalist forces are driving the recent turn of events and appear to be in control of the situation.

Addressing a press conference, Bhattacharya said the Union government and the Ministry of External Affairs were handling the developments in an appropriate manner and would respond as required. “The central government and the Ministry of External Affairs are dealing with the situation responsibly, and necessary steps will be taken at the appropriate time,” he said.

Commenting on the rising unrest in Bangladesh, the BJP leader said, “Fundamentalism and radicalism are spreading like cancer in Bangladesh. All right-thinking people must come together to fight this menace.” He added that fundamentalist forces have been steadily expanding their influence in the country since the 1980s and that the situation has now crossed all limits.

Bhattacharya further noted that even free-thinking and liberal-minded individuals are increasingly coming under attack. Referring to recent incidents, he said such developments highlight how deeply radicalism has taken root. “The entire world is facing the challenge of radicalism. A nationalist government and party will counter and defeat these forces,” he asserted.

Bangladesh witnessed heightened tension on Friday following the death of prominent July Uprising leader Sharif Osman Hadi, which triggered protests, violence, and vandalism in several parts of the country. Although no fresh incidents of violence were reported in the morning, protesters were seen vandalising the already demolished structure at 32 Dhanmondi, the former residence of Bangladesh’s founding father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Large-scale unrest was reported across the country on Thursday night, including incidents of arson and stone-pelting. Among the targets was the residence of the Indian Assistant High Commissioner in Chattogram. The violence erupted after Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus confirmed Hadi’s death in a televised address to the nation.

Earlier, Inquilab Mancha had announced Hadi’s death, stating that his body would be brought back to Bangladesh later in the day. Hadi, who was a candidate in the scheduled February 12 general elections, died at a hospital in Singapore after battling for his life for six days.

The developments have raised serious concerns in India over regional stability, with New Delhi closely monitoring the situation amid growing apprehensions over security and radicalisation in the neighbourhood.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh