Dhaka rejects Delhi’s remarks on minorities

Bangladesh has rejected recent comments by India’s Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson regarding the situation of minority communities in the country, saying the remarks do not reflect reality and misrepresent Bangladesh’s long-standing tradition of communal harmony.

In a statement issued on Sunday (December 28), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had taken note of the comments but firmly rejected any false, exaggerated or politically motivated narratives portraying the condition of minorities in Bangladesh inaccurately.

The statement said Bangladesh is deeply concerned by what it described as systematic attempts to portray isolated criminal incidents as cases of organised persecution of Hindus, and to use such narratives to fuel anti-Bangladesh sentiment in parts of India. It added that selective reporting and distortion of facts were being used to incite public opinion against Bangladesh, its diplomatic missions and institutions.

Dhaka further said one of the individuals cited in the Indian Spokesperson’s remarks was a listed criminal who died during an extortion attempt involving a Muslim accomplice, who was later arrested. Presenting such criminal activity as an issue of minority persecution is misleading and factually incorrect, the statement said.

The foreign ministry urged various quarters in India to refrain from spreading misleading narratives that could undermine the spirit of good neighbourly relations and mutual trust between the two countries.

Earlier, the interim government said police findings and preliminary investigations indicated the incident in question was not communal in nature but stemmed from extortion and criminal activities. The deceased, identified as Amrit Mondol alias Samrat, was described as a top criminal figure with multiple serious cases, including murder and extortion, filed against him, along with outstanding arrest warrants.

The government said police detained his associate Selim at the scene with a foreign-made pistol and a pipe gun, and three cases have already been filed in connection with the incident.

Condemning the killing, the government reiterated that it does not support any form of extrajudicial action, mob violence or lawlessness, and assured that all those directly or indirectly involved would be brought to justice. Investigations are ongoing.

The government also expressed deep concern over attempts by certain groups to portray the incident as a communal attack by highlighting the victim’s religious identity, calling such efforts baseless and malicious. It urged all concerned to act responsibly and refrain from spreading provocative, misleading or communal statements that could disrupt social harmony and law and order.