India has strongly rejected comments made by Bangladesh about the recent violence in West Bengal. The violence happened last week in the Murshidabad district during protests against the Waqf law, where three people were killed and hundreds were injured.

Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to the Bangladesh government, through his press secretary, asked Indian authorities to protect minority Muslim communities affected by the violence.

In response, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed Bangladesh’s comments and said they were an attempt to avoid talking about the real issue of minority persecution in Bangladesh.

“We reject the remarks made by the Bangladeshi side with regard to the incidents in West Bengal. This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India's concerns over the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, where the criminal perpetrators of such acts continue to roam free,” Jaiswal said.

He further added, “Instead of making unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signalling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities.”

India highlights persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh

India reminded Bangladesh of the ongoing attacks on Hindus and other minority groups in their country. The situation in Bangladesh has been tense since the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina last year. Since then, over 200 temples have been attacked, and some Hindu priests have been arrested. Radical Islamist groups have been accused of these attacks.

India has raised these concerns at diplomatic meetings with Bangladesh many times. Human rights groups have also criticised Bangladesh for not protecting its minorities.

The recent violence in Bengal is also being linked to people from Bangladesh. A report submitted to India’s Home Ministry says that some miscreants from Bangladesh helped fuel the violence, creating tensions between the BJP and the Mamata Banerjee-led state government.

You might also be interested in: SC lets Bengal allow 'untainted' teachers until new hiring begins