Delhi Rebukes Dhaka for Comments on Indian Minority Rights

On April 18, India responded sharply to comments made by Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Prof Mohammed Yunus. Alam had urged India to protect the rights of its minority Muslim population and denied allegations that Bangladeshi citizens were involved in the violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal, related to the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, criticizing Bangladesh for diverting attention from its own issues with minority rights. The Ministry stated that Bangladesh's remarks were a "disingenuous" attempt to draw a false parallel with India’s concerns over ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, where the perpetrators of such acts are reportedly still free. The Ministry also emphasized that instead of making unsolicited comments, Bangladesh should focus on safeguarding the rights of its own minorities.

Earlier, Alam had condemned the violence in Murshidabad and urged Indian authorities to ensure the protection of the Muslim minority. He also refuted Indian claims regarding the involvement of Bangladeshi nationals in the unrest. 

India has previously raised concerns about attacks and intimidation against minority communities in Bangladesh, particularly after the removal of Sheikh Hasina's government in August 2024. However, Bangladesh has not acknowledged that these incidents were driven by communal hatred, attributing the violence to a range of factors, including religious and ethnic discrimination, local disputes, and political tensions.