India has strongly criticised Bangladesh's recent statement regarding the outbreak of violence in West Bengal, calling the remarks "unjustified." According to New Delhi, Bangladesh's attempt to compare the situation in West Bengal to concerns over minority rights in Bangladesh is misleading and inappropriate.
In an official statement issued on Friday (April 18), Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to Bangladesh’s comments.
Earlier on April 8, Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to Dr Muhammad Yunus—the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government—expressed concern over the recent unrest in West Bengal. At a press conference, he stated: "We call upon both the West Bengal state government and the central government of India to take all necessary steps to ensure the safety and protection of minority Muslims in West Bengal."
In reaction, Jaiswal firmly rejected the remarks, stating: "We categorically reject the statement made by Bangladesh regarding the events in West Bengal."
He added, "Drawing comparisons between India’s concerns over the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh and recent incidents in West Bengal is a disingenuous attempt. In Bangladesh, the perpetrators of such crimes continue to evade justice."
Jaiswal further suggested that rather than making such unfounded comments, Bangladesh would do better to focus on safeguarding the rights of its own minority communities.
The unrest erupted last week in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district during protests against the newly amended Waqf Act. The demonstrations soon spread to Malda, Murshidabad, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly districts. Incidents included arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades.
On Wednesday (April 16), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee addressed the issue during a gathering of imams, muezzins, and intellectuals at Kolkata's Netaji Indoor Stadium. She accused Bangladesh of inciting the unrest.
According to Banerjee, a conspiracy was orchestrated between Bangladesh’s interim Chief Advisor Professor Muhammad Yunus and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to destabilise the region.
Beyond West Bengal, media reports have also highlighted incidents of alleged persecution of minority Muslims in other Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh, in connection with the controversial amendments to the Waqf Act.
