Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul today condemned India’s recent remarks on Bangladesh’s treatment of minorities, calling them hypocritical and objectionable.
His response comes after India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, expressing concern over the arrest of a former Iskcon Bangladesh leader.
In a post on his verified Facebook page, Asif criticised India for its unjustified concerns about Bangladesh’s situation while remaining silent on the plight of its own Muslim population.
He wrote, “India’s unwarranted concerns over Bangladesh’s situation continue unabated. Ironically, while numerous atrocities against the minority Muslim community persist within India, there seems to be little qualms or remorse over the incidents.
“India’s double standards are both condemnable and objectionable.”
The law adviser also referred to a Voice of America (VoA) Bangla survey report published on Thursday, saying, “Majority of Bangladeshis (64.1%) believe that the interim government is providing better security to minority communities compared to the previous Awami League government.
“We have also witnessed how the people of Bangladesh, including student organisations, madrasas, and political parties, worked for the security of minorities during the recent Durga Puja.”
He said, “Even after the provocative and brutal killing of lawyer Saiful Islam [Alif] in Chattogram, Muslims in Bangladesh demonstrated remarkable restraint and patience.”
Saiful Islam Alif, an assistant public prosecutor, was killed on Tuesday, after he failed to escape armed individuals who chased him and a few other lawyers when they took part in a march protesting the attack and vandalism on Chattogram court premises.
The vandalism started after the Chittagong Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court Judge Kazi Shariful Islam denied the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former Iskcon Bangladesh leader, on sedition charges.
After the bail denial, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement, terming the matter a cause for “deep concern” and urged Bangladesh to protect Hindus and other minorities.
“We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatan Jagran Jote.
This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh… We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression,” the Indian statement read.
Chinmoy was detained by police from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on 25 November for allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag by hoisting a saffron flag above it at a rally organised by the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha in Chattogram city.
CA press secretary on ‘misinformation’ in Indian media
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam has called on Bangladeshi journalists, including women reporters and editors, to actively engage with Indian media to counter what he described as an “industrial scale misinformation campaign”.
In a Facebook post from his verified account Thursday night, Shafiqul emphasised the importance of presenting Bangladesh’s narrative authentically to confront the misrepresentation by some Indian media outlets and their social media platforms.
“We must tell our stories our way. Else, they will set our narrative according to their liking,” he said, urging journalists to use the power of truth to confront falsehoods.
He expressed satisfaction that some Bangladeshi journalists are “speaking to the Indian media, especially their cacophonous TV stations”.
“Many of us were afraid that we would struggle against the verbal onslaught of their TV hosts. But some have defied fears and are boldly telling our side of the story,” he said.
He also acknowledged the challenges of engagements with Indian media, and encouraged journalists to remain steadfast.
“I know we will make mistakes. We will also be intimidated. Some may get the impression that the Indians are smarter people. But believe me if you are empowered by truth, no misinformation campaign can stop you,” he wrote.
Referring to Bangladesh’s recent political transformation, he said, “Indians should know that smarter people also live in its Eastern border and a few months back these people have ousted a brutal dictatorship in one of the finest revolutions in human history.”
