India has firmly rejected comments made by Bangladeshi officials regarding recent developments in West Bengal, calling them an attempt to draw a misleading parallel with India’s concerns over minority persecution in Bangladesh.
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that Bangladesh’s remarks were “barely disguised and disingenuous,” emphasizing that criminal perpetrators of minority persecution in Bangladesh continue to roam free. Jaiswal urged Bangladesh to focus on protecting its own minorities rather than making “unwarranted comments” and engaging in “virtue signaling.”
The controversy follows statements from Bangladesh’s interim government, which denied any involvement in communal violence in Murshidabad. Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam condemned attacks on Muslims and called on India and West Bengal authorities to ensure the safety of minority populations.
India’s rejection of Bangladesh’s remarks comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations, with concerns over minority rights and regional stability at the forefront of diplomatic discussions. The MEA’s response signals India’s firm stance on the issue, reinforcing its position that Bangladesh should prioritize addressing its own internal challenges.