New Delhi: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday issued a sharp rebuke to Bangladesh after Dhaka raised concerns over recent communal violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district. The Indian government urged Bangladesh to focus on safeguarding the rights of its own minority communities instead of making “unwarranted” comments.
The diplomatic exchange was triggered by a statement from Bangladesh press secretary Shafiqul Alam, who reportedly told NDTV, “We urge the Government of India and West Bengal to take all steps to fully protect the minority Muslim population.”
Responding firmly, the MEA said in an official statement: “We reject the remarks made by the Bangladesh side regarding the incidents in West Bengal. This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India’s legitimate concerns over the continued persecution of minorities in Bangladesh.”
The ministry further stated, “Instead of engaging in virtue signaling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities.”
The comments come amid unrest in Murshidabad, a Muslim-majority district, where violent protests erupted against the Waqf (Amendment) Act. The protests, concentrated in areas like Jangipur, Samserganj, Dhuliyan, and Suti, led to arson, vandalism, and the death of three people. Protesters also blocked railway lines and attacked nearby villages, prompting an exodus of Hindu families, some of whom fled via boats and roadways to neighboring Malda district.
Over 200 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence. Order was eventually restored after the Calcutta High Court directed the deployment of central forces, following a plea from Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.
The incident has sparked a fresh wave of diplomatic tension, with India underscoring its stance that internal law and order matters should not be politicized by foreign governments, particularly those grappling with their own minority rights issues.
