Bangladesh on Friday accused India of blatant hypocrisy in its treatment of minority communities, calling out its neighbor’s media for what it termed an “industrial scale misinformation campaign” against Dhaka. The interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, rebuffed India’s criticisms, highlighting New Delhi’s failure to address rampant discrimination and violence against its Muslim minority while meddling in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.
Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul voiced these concerns on Facebook, stating that India’s selective outrage is both condemnable and objectionable. “Numerous incidents of brutality against the Muslim community continue in India, yet they show no remorse or embarrassment over these acts. Their double standards are glaring,” Nazrul wrote.
Security for Minorities: Dhaka’s Perspective
Nazrul cited a survey conducted by Voice of America Bangla, which revealed that 64.1% of Bangladeshis believe the interim government has provided better security to minorities compared to the Awami League regime. This survey underscores the government’s efforts to improve communal harmony, despite Indian media’s narratives suggesting otherwise.
Bangladesh’s leadership also took a firm stand against a deliberate effort by Indian media to distort the situation. Chief Adviser Yunus’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, urged Bangladeshi journalists to take charge of their country’s narrative. “We must tell our stories our way, or they [Indian media] will set the narrative to their liking,” he said in a Facebook post.
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Pushback Against Indian Interference
Indian concerns over the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges have further strained relations. Das was detained in Chattogram for allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a Hindu community rally. His supporters staged protests, but the interim government stood firm, citing the need to uphold national integrity.
Students at Dhaka University amplified these tensions with demonstrations accusing India of interference and religious exploitation. They demanded the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India amid protests earlier this year, and a review of past agreements with New Delhi.
The protesters also called for a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, accusing it of fueling communal divisions. “India is killing people on our border every week. Minorities in their own country are being persecuted daily,” Bin Yamin Molla, President of the Student Rights Council, stated.
India’s Deflection and Criticism
India’s Ministry of External Affairs responded by expressing “serious concern” over what it described as a surge in extremist rhetoric and rising violence against minorities in Bangladesh. However, Dhaka’s officials pushed back, asserting that India’s claims lack credibility given its track record of systematic discrimination against Muslims, including recent incidents involving violence at mosques.
Shafiqul Alam emphasized that Bangladesh’s recent revolution ousted a “brutal dictatorship,” showcasing the resilience and intelligence of its people. “They may think they are smarter, but empowered by truth, no misinformation campaign can stop us,” he declared, urging fellow citizens to stand firm against India’s narratives.
The Path Ahead
As the diplomatic row deepens, Bangladesh’s interim government remains steadfast in asserting its sovereignty and challenging India’s double standards. By spotlighting India’s internal failings and rallying domestic support, Dhaka seeks to counter New Delhi’s attempts to dictate the regional narrative.
This bold stance marks a significant shift in Bangladesh’s approach to its powerful neighbor, signaling a new era of assertiveness in South Asian politics. The battle over narratives is far from over, but for now, Dhaka is determined to ensure its voice is heard.