LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3667
ANSWERED ON 13/03/2026
VIOLENCE AGAINST INDIANS IN NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES
3667. SHRI T R BAALU
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the increasing organised violence against persons of Indian origin who are religious and linguistic minorities in several countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc., during the last five years;
(b) if so, the number of Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists of Indian origin killed and properties including places of worship damaged in such violence and attacks during the last five years, country-wise;
(c) whether it is a fact that these organized attacks on Indian-lineage minorities are carried out by terrorist outfits which enjoy the covert and overt support of the Governments of these countries; and
(d) if so, the action have been taken by the Indian Government to protect the life, properties, religious and linguistic rights of such people and the outcome thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI PABITRA MARGHERITA)
(a to d) The Government of India is aware of incidents of violence and atrocities against minority communities in the neighbouring countries.
With regard to Pakistan, since 2021, the Government of India has raised at least 422 major incidents of atrocities against minorities with the Government of Pakistan, urging it to discharge its constitutional obligations towards its citizens, including those from minority communities, and to end sectarian violence, extreme prejudices and religious intolerance. On multiple occasions, India has also highlighted the plight of minorities and violation of their human rights in Pakistan at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
With regard to Bangladesh, as per available data from human rights organizations, around 3850 incidents of violence against Hindu and other minorities have taken place across Bangladesh during the years 2021-2025, which include 96 deaths and 506 attacks on properties, including places of worship. India has consistently raised the matter of safety and security of the minorities with the authorities in Bangladesh, at both political and diplomatic levels on several occasions. The issue has also been discussed with foreign interlocutors. It is the expectation of the Government of India that the Government of Bangladesh will thoroughly investigate these incidents and bring all perpetrators of killings, arson and violence against minorities to justice.
The Government of India continues to impress upon the respective Governments that the primary responsibility of the protection of life, liberty and rights of all citizens, including from the minority communities, rests with them.
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