India on Thursday strongly rejected the statement issued by Bangladesh on the violence that took place during protests against the Wakf Amendment Act in West Bengal. The Ministry of External Affairs described Dhaka’s comments as a “veiled and deceptive” attempt to equate India’s concerns with the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.
In an official statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We reject the comments made by Bangladesh regarding the events in West Bengal.” He further said, “Minorities are being continuously harassed in Bangladesh and the perpetrators of such acts are still roaming freely. Instead of making inappropriate comments, Bangladesh should focus on protecting the rights of its minorities.”
According to media reports, at least three people were killed and hundreds displaced in violence that broke out in Murshidabad’s Suti, Dhuliyan, Samserganj and Jangipur areas last week in protest against the Wakf (Amendment) Act. Following this, central forces were deployed in the area and internet services were suspended.
On Wednesday, Shafiqul Alam, press secretary of Bangladesh interim government’s chief adviser Mohammad Yunus, said, “We strongly refute any attempt to involve Bangladesh in the communal violence in Murshidabad. We urge the Indian and West Bengal governments to take all necessary steps to ensure full safety of the minority Muslim population.”
This dispute has arisen at a time when political relations between the two countries are already tense.