Shashi Tharoor Responds to Mamata Banerjee’s UN Peacekeeping Demand for Bangladesh

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed uncertainty over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s request for deploying UN peacekeepers in Bangladesh, stating that he is “not sure” if she fully understands the role of such forces.

Banerjee, addressing the West Bengal state assembly on Monday, had urged the Centre to approach the United Nations to send peacekeeping forces to Bangladesh, where religious minorities, particularly Hindus, have reportedly been targeted. She suggested that an international peacekeeping force could help restore normalcy in the region.

In response, Tharoor, who has worked in UN peacekeeping operations, clarified that UN peacekeepers are rarely deployed within a country unless its government explicitly requests their presence. He pointed out that peacekeepers are typically sent only when a country is in severe turmoil or collapse and has made an official request for assistance.

Tharoor added that while he agrees with Banerjee’s concern for the situation in Bangladesh, the deployment of UN forces requires formal approval and cooperation from the country’s government. His remarks came amid growing tensions in Bangladesh following reports of attacks on religious minorities and the arrest of former ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, whose bail hearing was postponed until January 2025.

The demand for UN peacekeeping also drew criticism from Bangladesh’s interim foreign minister, Touhid Hossain, who expressed confusion over Banerjee’s statement. Despite his concerns, Hossain emphasized the importance of maintaining strong, friendly relations between India and Bangladesh.

The call for international intervention has sparked protests across India, with activists and organizations advocating for the protection of religious minorities in Bangladesh and demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das.