Bangladesh Calls Attacks On Hindus ‘Isolated Acts’
Bangladesh’s foreign ministry on Sunday rejected India’s recent statements about attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the country, calling them “inaccurate, exaggerated or motivated narratives” that do not reflect the reality on the ground. Dhaka said isolated criminal incidents should not be portrayed as systematic persecution against religious minorities.
India Expresses Concern Over Violence
India’s Ministry of External Affairs had earlier raised concerns about what it described as serious attacks on minorities, especially following the lynching of a Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in December in Bangladesh’s Mymensingh district. India urged swift action against perpetrators of violence and emphasised the need to protect minority communities.
Dhaka Labels Incidents ‘Criminal Acts’
The Bangladeshi government said crimes against any community should be treated as individual criminal acts and dealt with under the rule of law, regardless of the victims’ faith. Officials also expressed worry about “systematic attempts” to misrepresent isolated crimes as widespread persecution, warning that such narratives could harm bilateral relations and fuel negative sentiment.
Tensions And Regional Reactions
The exchange of statements has highlighted growing diplomatic friction between India and Bangladesh over how incidents involving minorities are perceived and communicated. While Dhaka stressed its tradition of communal harmony, civil society groups and some political voices in India have criticised what they see as insufficient protection for vulnerable communities in Bangladesh.
