India Dismisses Bangladesh’s Remarks On Bengal Violence As ‘Virtue Signalling’, Asks Dhaka To Focus On Protecting Its Own Minorities

India has strongly rejected Bangladesh’s statement on the Waqf-related violence in West Bengal, calling it “disingenuous” and a deflection from Dhaka’s own poor record on minority rights.

Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus's press secretary on Thursday (17 April) called on Indian authorities to protect minority Muslim communities affected by the violence that broke out in Bengal's Murshidabad district last week, killing three people and injuring hundreds.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal hit back at Dhaka’s remarks, advising Bangladesh to address its own minority rights issues instead of issuing “unwarranted” comments on India.

"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.

"Instead of making unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signalling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities," the MEA spokesperson added.

Since the exit of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year, Bangladesh has witnessed growing unrest, with radical Islamists targeting minorities.

Nearly 200 temples have been vandalised and several priests have been arrested in Bangladesh.

India has consistently flagged the deteriorating condition of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh through diplomatic channels.

While Bangladesh routinely denies targeted persecution, recurring incidents — including temple desecrations and festival-time attacks — continue to draw international criticism from rights groups and diaspora voices.

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