British MP Bob Blackman has voiced his concern over the rising threats to Hindu, Christian, Buddhist and Ahmadiyya minorities in Bangladesh.

He urged the British government to take diplomatic measures to protect the communities in the South Asian nation that has witnessed political instability in recent months.

He wrote on X, "I raised my concerns in about the rising threats on Hindu, Christian, Buddhist & Ahmadiyya minorities in Bangladesh."

He said: "Peaceful Rath Yatra celebrations were recently attacked. The Govt must press Bangladesh to protect minorities and uphold democracy."

Bangladesh witnessed a spike in attacks on Hindus and other minority communities after the former PM Sheikh Hasina-led government was toppled in the country last year amid violent protests against her regime.

She fled to India.

Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate, took charge of the interim government.

Prominent Economist, who once made major comment on Hindu exodus, jailed on graft case

Prominent Bangladeshi economist Abul Barkat, who has been a critic of radical Islam, was sent to jail on Friday over a graft case.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Jewel Rana passed the order of sending him to prison after the ACC submitted an application seeking his incarceration, confirmed an ACC official working in the court, reported The Daily Star.

He was arrested on Thursday at his residence in Dhanmondi-3 area of Dhaka city.

Barkat had previously served as the chairman of Janata Bank PLC.

What is the charge Barkat is facing?

On February 20 this year, the ACC filed a case alleging that during his tenure as chairman, Abul Barkat was involved in loan fraud involving AnonTex Group, a readymade garments company, resulting in the embezzlement of Tk 297 crore from Janata Bank, reported The Daily Star.

Twenty-three people were named in the case.