Former UK Home Secretary and Conservative MP Priti Patel has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government to take decisive action against the rising violence and targeted attacks on minority communities in Bangladesh. Patel’s appeal comes amid growing international concerns over the safety and rights of Hindus in the South Asian nation.

In her statement, Patel emphasised the need for the UK to engage directly with Bangladesh to ensure the safety of minority communities and promote peace. “The ongoing violence against Hindus in Bangladesh is deeply troubling and cannot be ignored,” she said. “The UK must stand firm against such atrocities and take robust action, including raising the issue in international forums.” Patel, known for her advocacy on human rights, urged the Starmer administration to leverage diplomatic ties to push for justice.

Reports of religiously motivated attacks and vandalism in Bangladesh have triggered global alarm, with activists and community leaders calling for international intervention. Patel highlighted that safeguarding all citizens, irrespective of their faith, is a fundamental duty of any government.

The issue has also sparked political and social reactions in India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee recently suggested sending UN peacekeeping forces to address the unrest in Bangladesh. However, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor responded by stating, “I am not sure if she fully understands the role of UN peacekeepers. Having worked in UN peacekeeping myself for many years, I can tell you that UN peacekeepers are very rarely sent inside any country except at the request of that country.”

ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharamn alleged that a lawyer representing monk Chinmoy Das was brutally attacked after a court hearing. Meanwhile, Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan raised concerns over reports of monks being barred from entering Bangladesh and called for the Indian government to gather information and intervene.

The Labour government has yet to issue a formal response to Patel’s demands. However, political observers believe the matter may gain momentum in the UK Parliament, given Britain’s large South Asian diaspora and its interest in regional stability.