India on Friday forcefully rejected allegations by Bangladesh’s interim government that New Delhi played a role in the deadly violence in the Khagrachhari hill district, describing the claims as “false and baseless” and accusing Dhaka of trying to deflect from its own failures in maintaining law and order.
India slams Dhaka’s accusations
The diplomatic spat began when Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury alleged that “certain quarters” — including India and ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina — were attempting to incite sectarian clashes during the ongoing Durga Puja festival. Chowdhury offered no evidence to support his assertions.
Responding to the remarks, Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in New Delhi:
“We categorically reject these false and baseless allegations. The interim government of Bangladesh is unable to maintain law and order in Bangladesh, and has a habit of routinely trying to shift the blame elsewhere.”
He urged Dhaka to focus on “serious investigations into the actions of local extremists committing violence, arson and land grabs against the minority communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.”
The sharp rebuttal reflected India’s growing frustration with Dhaka’s Yunus-led interim regime, which came to power after Sheikh Hasina was ousted in August 2024.
Violence in Khagrachhari
The immediate trigger for the unrest in Khagrachhari was the alleged gang rape of a tribal schoolgirl, a case that ignited widespread anger in the southeastern hill district. On September 28, clashes broke out between indigenous groups and Bengali settlers, leading to arson, looting, and street battles.
At least three people were killed, and dozens were injured, including 13 army personnel and three policemen. Witnesses said mobs torched homes and businesses belonging to rival communities. Authorities imposed emergency restrictions under Section 144 to prevent gatherings, but sporadic violence continued through the week.
Local residents described an atmosphere of fear, with many staying indoors amid rumors of renewed attacks.
Strained ties and human rights spotlight
The accusations against India come at a time of deteriorating bilateral relations. Since Hasina’s ouster, the interim government has attempted to shift responsibility for unrest onto both India and Awami League loyalists.
The crisis has also drawn international scrutiny. Human rights groups have condemned the escalating violence against minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and other parts of Bangladesh. The Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Unity Council decried interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’ recent dismissal of minority persecution claims as “baseless,” calling it a “denial of the truth.”
This week in Geneva, the International Forum for Secular Bangladesh held a poster exhibition during the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session. Through 30 panels, it highlighted rising radicalism, communal attacks, suppression of press freedom, mob violence, and sexual abuse under the Yunus-led administration.
International concern has also grown as reports emerged of security forces allegedly participating in arson and indiscriminate firing during the Khagrachhari clashes. Several watchdogs have urged the government to hold perpetrators accountable and protect vulnerable minority groups.
A worsening crisis
The violence in the hills underscores Bangladesh’s fragile state under the interim regime, with sectarian tensions escalating and law enforcement credibility eroding. India’s sharp diplomatic pushback further complicates Dhaka’s position at a time when its human rights record is under the global spotlight.
As the Durga Puja festival continues under heavy security, the Khagrachhari tragedy has become both a symbol of Bangladesh’s domestic turmoil and a flashpoint in its strained ties with its largest neighbor.
