India Slams Bangladesh on Comments over Murshidabad Violence
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Apr 18: India has slammed Bangladesh’s remark over the anti-Waqf Act protests and calling for “protection” of rights of the minority Muslims in violence-hit Murshidabad in West Bengal, and said it was Dhaka’s “unwarranted comments” and “virtue signalling” while advising it to focus on protecting the minorities in its country.
“This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India’s concerns over the ongoing persecuition of minorities in Bangladesh where the criminal perpetrators of such acts continue to roam free. Instead of making unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signaling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities,” a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs stated on Friday.
The communication was in response to the Press Secretary of Chief Advisor Prof Mohammed Yunus on Thursday calling upon India to protect rights of minority Muslim population and refuted allegations of involvement of citizens of Bangladesh in the violent protests in Murshidabad.
Mr Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to Prof Yunus had refuted allegations from the Indian side about the involvement of Bangladeshi citizens in the violence in Murshidabad that flared up over the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025. “We condemn attacks on Muslims causing loss of lives and properties. We urge the Government of India and West Bengal to take all steps to fully protect the minority Muslim population,” said Mr Alam in a statement that was posted on his social media handles. Mr Alam a former journalist is among the top officials of the Yunus administration and his remarks in recent weeks have often hit the headlines.
India has been raising the alleged incidents of attacks and intimidation against the minority religious communities in Bangladesh, following the removal of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024. Bangladesh has refused to acknowledge that these attacks were because of communal hatred and responded saying that, “Different and often intersecting motives drove these attacks, ranging from religious and ethnic discrimination, to perceived opportunities for revenge against Awami League supporters among minorities, local communal disputes, including about land, and interpersonal issues.”
In response to Mr Alam’s statement, the MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal hit back at Bangladesh, asking the country to focus on protecting the rights of its minorities. The remark assumed significance as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Parliament last month that 2,400 instances of atrocities against religious minorities were in Bangladesh in 2024 since the political turmoil began, and that the number stands at 72 in 2025 so far.
The Centre’ response comes on a day West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has announced an official visit to violence-hit Murshidabad, declaring his intent to “impose peace at any cost.” Chief Minister Banerjee, while claiming that normalcy was gradually returning, urged the Governor to postpone his visit but he refused and left for Murshidabad on Friday.
As per a state report, protests began peacefully on April 4 across police station areas in Jangipur but turned violent on April 8, when a 5,000-strong mob blocked NH-12 at Umarpur. The police was allegedly attacked with bricks, iron rods, sharp weapons, and firebombs. Government vehicles too were targeted.
Fresh violence broke out in Suti and Samsherganj on April 11, including vandalism of public and private property. The police admitted to opening fire at Sajur More in Suti in self-defence, in order to protect both officers and civilians. Police have arrested 278 people across Murshidabad so far.
Meanwhile, a A team of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Friday arrived in Malda across Murshidabad district and met people who have taken shelter in a temporary refugee camp. The NHRC members, who took suo motu cognisance of the recent violence in Murshidabad took note after talking to members of the affected families staying at the camp at a high school.
The Commission had on Tuesday said it has decided to send a team to conduct an on-the-spot inquiry into the incidents, considering the seriousness of the situation. The NHRC action comes following the receipt of a formal complaint about the violence and the alleged human rights violations in the affected areas.
According to officials, three people were killed during the violent clashes that erupted in the Muslim-majority areas of Shamsherganj, Suti, Dhulian, and Jangipur in Murshidabad district. Many residents, fearing for their lives, fled their homes and took shelter in camps set up in neighbouring Malda district. The violence occurred amid widespread protests against the central government’s recent amendments to the Waqf Act. The NHRC has directed that a detailed inquiry report be submitted within three weeks.
