Bangladesh ‘rejected’ a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday — insisting that India had “oversimplified” the matter. The remarks came mere hours after the MEA issued a clarification following protests outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal indicated that media reports in the neighbouring country were carrying “misleading propaganda” about the incident.
“Regarding the Indian press note, we completely reject it, entirely reject it. The issue has been presented as if it were very simple, whereas in reality it is not…We completely reject the press note. Why can they come this far? They have said many things. We have heard that he (HC) has been threatened to kill, but we don’t have evidence,” local media reports quoted foreign affairs adviser M Touhid Hossain as saying.
The MEA had said about 20 to 25 people had gathered outside the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi on Saturday — raising slogans to protest the “horrendous killing” of Dipu Chandra Das. The 25-year-old was lynched by an angry mob earlier this week over alleged blasphemy. Jaiswal said the protesters had also called for the protection of all minorities in Bangladesh.
MEA slams ‘misleading propaganda’
India on Sunday trashed as “misleading propaganda” media reports in Bangladesh that a demonstration outside Bangladesh’s mission in New Delhi against the killing of a Hindu man in that country attempted to create a security situation. New Delhi also urged the interim government in Dhaka to bring to justice the perpetrators of the “barbaric killing” of Das.
Certain reports in Bangladeshi media claimed that the youths protesting outside the Bangladesh high commission tried to breach the security of the premises. India clarified that there had been “no attempt to breach the fence or create a security situation at any time” — adding the police dispersed the group after a few minutes. The MEA noted that visual evidence of these events were publicly available.
‘Don’t have evidence, but…’
Hossain also called the MEA statement “oversimplified” saying “they (India) say it may have been 20–25 people, but that is not the point.” He also said the protesters also did not merely raise slogans over the killing of a Bangladeshi Hindu citizen but made “other statements as well,” and claimed that reports published in Bangladeshi newspapers were largely accurate and not misleading. He questioned how a group of 25 to 30 people, “described as belonging to a Hindu extremist organisation, could reach such a sensitive zone,” adding under normal circumstances this should not have been possible “unless they were allowed the access.” Asked if he had any concrete proof about death threats to the Bangladesh envoy in Delhi as speculated, the adviser said no.
Hossain said Bangladesh was “compelled” to respond openly following the Indian press note but added that both sides remain in contact through diplomatic channels and convey their positions accordingly. He added that Dhaka still trusted India to take appropriate security measures, but would consider scaling back its presence if the situation deteriorates.