NEW DELHI: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a sharp rebuttal to Bangladesh’s recent comments on the communal unrest in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. In a firm statement, the MEA advised Dhaka to focus on safeguarding minority rights within its own territory rather than making “unwarranted observations” about incidents in India.
“We categorically dismiss Bangladesh’s statements concerning the situation in West Bengal. These remarks are a thinly veiled effort to divert attention from the persistent mistreatment of minorities within Bangladesh, where many perpetrators of communal violence remain unpunished,” the ministry noted.
The Indian government further criticized the neighbouring country for engaging in superficial moral posturing. “Rather than resorting to virtue signalling, Bangladesh should prioritize the protection and welfare of its own vulnerable communities,” the MEA asserted.
These remarks came in response to a statement by Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Bangladesh’s chief adviser, who urged India to ensure the safety of its Muslim citizens. Alam also denied any Bangladeshi link to the recent Murshidabad unrest, which he clarified in a local media briefing.
The communal violence, which erupted on April 11 over protests related to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, resulted in three fatalities and several injuries. Numerous homes were damaged, and many residents were displaced—some seeking shelter in Jharkhand’s Pakur district, others relocated to relief camps in Malda.
The Calcutta High Court has ordered that central forces remain in Murshidabad to ensure peace and has instructed political figures, including those from the BJP and TMC, to avoid provocative rhetoric.
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