Priyanka Gandhi Vadra takes tote with 'Bangladesh' message to Parliament a day after her 'Palestine' bag drew BJP flak

Along with Priyanka, other Congress MPs also carried similar bags and placards slamming the attack on Bangladeshi minorities in the Parliament premises.

Slamming the Centre, the Congress has put up an X post that reads, "Incidents of atrocities against minorities, Hindus and Christians are continuously coming to light in Bangladesh. But Modi government is silent on this issue and is not taking any steps.

"Today, Congress MPs protested in the Parliament premises, demanding protection of Hindus, Christians and minorities in Bangladesh."

Priyanka drew the BJP's criticism on Monday after she carried a similar tote with Palestine written on it.

The bag also carried several emblems including a watermelon, which often symbolises solidarity with Palestine.

Countering the BJP which accused Priyanka of "appeasement", the Wayanad MP saw the flak a reflection of "patriarchy".

"I don't subscribe to patriarchy. I will wear what I want to," she said.

BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya called Priyanka 'a bigger disaster' than her brother and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi besides terming the Congress as the 'new Muslim League'.

Malviya posted on X, "At the end of this Parliament session, observe a two minute silence for everyone in the Congress, who believed Priyanka Vadra was the long-awaited solution, they should have embraced earlier. She is a bigger disaster than Rahul Gandhi, who thinks sporting a bag in support of Palestine in the Parliament, is about fighting patriarchy. That is right.

"Crass communal virtue signaling to Muslims is now cloaked as stance against patriarchy! Make no mistake, Congress is the New Muslim League."

Israel and Palestine have been engaged in a war since October 2023 after Palestine based Sunni Islamist political organisation Hamas attacked Israel and captured its citizens.

In Bangladesh, recent attacks against the minority communities, particularly Hindus, took place following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

The violence has resulted in numerous incidents of looting, arson, and murder, with reports suggesting that over 88 attacks have taken place, primarily targeting Hindus.

The situation escalated when Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) monk and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested by Dhaka police for allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag at a rally in October.

The arrest has sparked outrage across India and among Hindu leaders worldwide, with many criticizing the move as "unfortunate" and "cowardly".

Following Das' arrest, two other monks were reportedly arrested in India's neighbouring country.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has called the attack on minorities in Bangladesh a "source of concern" and hoped the current regime in Dhaka will ensure the safety of the Hindus amid the massive unrest in the South Asian country.

Addressing the Lok Sabha a few days ago, Jaishankar said, "With regard to the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, it has been a source of concern. There have been multiple incidents of attacks on them (minorities). We have drawn our concern to their attention."

"It is our expectation that Bangladesh, in its own interest, would take measures so that its minorities are safe," he added.

The minister said India's foreign secretary discussed the issue of attack on Hindus with his counterpart during a recent visit to Bangladesh.