Bangladesh has firmly rejected what it describes as India’s motivated, misleading, and reality-detached portrayal of the minority situation in the country. Dhaka has also urged various Indian quarters to refrain from spreading confusing and exaggerated narratives regarding Bangladesh’s religious minorities, warning that such actions undermine mutual trust and good-neighborly relations.
The position was clarified in an official statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, S. M. Mahbubul Alam. The statement was conveyed to journalists around 4:30 pm, responding to recent remarks made by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs concerning the condition of minority communities in Bangladesh.
According to the statement, Bangladesh has taken note of the recent comments made by the Indian side but categorically stated that those remarks do not reflect the ground reality. It emphasized that Bangladesh has a long-standing tradition of communal harmony, coexistence, and protection of minority rights, which has been misrepresented through what it termed “misleading, exaggerated, and purpose-driven narratives.”
The foreign ministry noted that isolated criminal incidents within Bangladesh are being deliberately portrayed as systematic and institutional persecution of the Hindu community. It said such mischaracterizations are being misused to spread anti-Bangladesh sentiment in different parts of India, which is neither factual nor responsible.
The statement further pointed out that certain sections are selectively highlighting and distorting isolated incidents through a biased lens. These exaggerated portrayals, it said, appear aimed at provoking the general Indian public against Bangladesh, as well as against Bangladeshi diplomatic missions and institutions operating in India.
Referring to a specific individual mentioned by the Indian foreign ministry spokesperson, the statement clarified that the person in question was a listed criminal. His unfortunate death occurred during an extortion attempt while he was accompanied by a Muslim associate, who was later arrested by law-enforcement authorities. Presenting this purely criminal incident as an example of minority persecution, Bangladesh asserted, is misleading and does not align with facts.
Bangladesh reiterated that criminal acts are addressed strictly under the rule of law, regardless of the religious identity of the individuals involved. Linking such incidents to communal oppression, the statement said, creates unnecessary confusion and fuels misinformation.
In conclusion, Bangladesh called upon India to refrain from spreading distorted narratives about the country. “Bangladesh urges various quarters in India to desist from disseminating misleading portrayals that harm the spirit of good neighborliness and mutual confidence,” the statement said, reaffirming Dhaka’s commitment to regional stability, communal harmony, and constructive bilateral relations.
