Dhaka rejects Delhi’s remarks on minorities

Dhaka has rejected the recent remarks made by the spokesperson of India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) regarding the situation of minority communities in Bangladesh.

At the same time, the Bangladesh government urged various quarters in India to refrain from spreading misleading narratives on minority issues.

On Friday, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "The unremitting hostility against minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists at the hands of extremists, is a matter of grave concern.

"Over 2,900 incidents of violence against minorities, including cases of killings, arsons, and land grabs, have been documented by independent sources during the tenure of the interim government. These incidents cannot be brushed aside as mere media exaggerations or dismissed as political violence."

In response to Jaiswal's remarks, SM Mahbubul Alam, spokesperson of Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), said, "Bangladesh categorically rejects any inaccurate, exaggerated, or motivated narratives that misrepresent the country's longstanding tradition of communal harmony."

While briefing reporters yesterday afternoon, Mahbubul stated that the MEA spokesperson's comments do not reflect facts.

"With much regret, we note systematic attempts to portray isolated criminal acts as persecution of Hindus and to maliciously use them to propagate anti-Bangladesh sentiments in different parts of India."

He added that there is a selective and unfair bias in certain quarters, where isolated incidents are amplified, misrepresented, and propagated to incite ordinary Indians against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions, and other establishments in India.

Mahbubul noted that one of the individuals cited by the MEA spokesperson was a listed criminal whose death occurred while committing extortion with a Muslim accomplice, who was later arrested.

"To portray this criminal act through the lens of minority treatment is not factual but misleading."

Mahbubul, also director general of MoFA's Public Diplomacy Wing, added that Bangladesh has called upon different quarters in India to refrain from spreading misleading narratives that undermine the spirit of good-neighbourly relations and mutual trust.

Responding to a question, he said Dhaka is deeply concerned over incidents of brutal killings, mob violence, obstruction of elections, and disruption of religious events targeting Muslims, Christians, and other minority communities in India.

Last week, incidents of violence against Christians were reported across India during Christmas celebrations.

"These incidents are viewed as hate crimes and targeted violence. We expect the concerned authorities in India to conduct impartial investigations into these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice."

Mahbubul concluded by saying Dhaka believes every country has the responsibility to protect its minority communities, ensure their safety and dignity, and uphold these obligations without discrimination.