The Impressive TimesNew Delhi : India on Friday strongly rejected remarks made by the Bangladesh government over the recent violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, where three people were reportedly killed. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) called the comments an “unwarranted” interference in India’s internal affairs and accused Dhaka of attempting to deflect attention from its own record on minority rights.
“We reject the remarks made by the Bangladesh side with regard to the incidents in West Bengal,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in an official statement. “This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India’s concerns over the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh where the criminal perpetrators of such acts continue to roam free.”
Jaiswal further added, “Instead of making unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signaling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities.”
The sharp statement from New Delhi comes after comments made by Bangladesh interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’ press secretary, Shafiqul Islam. According to a Times of India report, Islam said the Bangladesh regime “strongly protested” India’s attempts to involve Bangladesh in the Murshidabad incident. “We urge the Government of India and West Bengal to take all steps to fully protect the minority Muslim population,” Islam reportedly stated.
The exchange has escalated diplomatic tensions between the two South Asian neighbours, who have historically shared complex ties influenced by cross-border migration, communal sensitivities, and regional politics. Murshidabad, a border district in West Bengal, shares a long and porous boundary with Bangladesh and often features in bilateral discussions.
Indian officials have emphasized that the Murshidabad violence is a local law-and-order issue and is being addressed by relevant authorities within the country’s democratic and legal framework. They have asserted that any attempt by foreign governments to politicize such incidents is not only inappropriate but also counterproductive to regional stability.
New Delhi has previously raised concerns over the safety and rights of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, especially during communal tensions that have occasionally erupted during religious festivals. India maintains that it reserves the right to speak out on human rights issues, but expects reciprocal sensitivity regarding its own domestic matters.
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