India hits back at Bangladesh over Bengal riots comment, "Focus on own minorities"

India has firmly rejected comments made by Bangladesh regarding the recent violence in West Bengal during protests over the Waqf law, describing the remarks as "disingenuous" and an attempt to shift global attention away from the ongoing persecution of minorities within Bangladesh itself.

The strong response came a day after Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus’s press secretary urged Indian authorities to protect Muslim minorities allegedly affected by the unrest in Murshidabad. The clashes, which erupted during protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, resulted in three deaths and left hundreds injured.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal issued a sharp rebuttal, stating, “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 false equivalence with India’s concerns over the persecution of minorities in Bangladesh."

Jaiswal further emphasized that Bangladesh should concentrate on ensuring the safety and rights of its minority communities instead of indulging in "virtue signalling" through unwarranted comments. He pointed to numerous recent incidents of attacks against Hindus and desecration of temples in Bangladesh, highlighting a deteriorating situation since the political shift in Dhaka last year.

The condition of minorities in Bangladesh has increasingly come under international scrutiny. Reports indicate that nearly 200 Hindu temples have been vandalized, with radical groups allegedly targeting religious figures and community leaders. India has repeatedly flagged these concerns in diplomatic discussions with Dhaka.

Meanwhile, in West Bengal, the violence over the Waqf amendments has continued to fuel tensions. Investigations have revealed that elements from across the Bangladesh border were involved in stoking unrest, leading to renewed political sparring between the BJP and the Mamata Banerjee-led state government.