Focus on own minorities: India slams Bangladesh over Bengal riots remark

India has firmly dismissed comments from Bangladesh regarding the violence in West Bengal related to the Waqf law, labeling them as “disingenuous” and an effort to distract from the oppression of minorities in Bangladesh.

On Thursday, the press secretary for Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus urged Indian officials to safeguard minority Muslim groups impacted by the violence that erupted in Murshidabad district in Bengal last week, resulting in three deaths and numerous injuries. Countering Bangladesh’s statements, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged Dhaka to prioritize the protection of its own minorities’ rights instead of issuing “unwarranted” remarks.

“We reject the remarks made by the Bangladeshi side with regard to the incidents in West Bengal. This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India’s concerns over the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh where the criminal perpetrators of such acts continue to roam free,” Jaiswal said.

“Instead of making unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signalling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities,” the MEA spokesperson further said.

The circumstances in Bangladesh have been unstable since the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. Radical Islamists have carried out several assaults on Hindus and minority groups in Bangladesh.

Approximately 200 temples have been damaged, and priests have been detained. India has repeatedly expressed worries through different diplomatic channels regarding the situation of Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh.

Two districts adjacent to Bangladesh in Bengal have experienced turmoil amid protests concerning the Waqf law, which enlarges the government’s authority in managing Waqf properties contributed by Muslims. A report presented to the Home Ministry has disclosed that Bangladeshi criminals incited the violence, causing a blame game between the BJP and the Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee.