India read out the riot act to Md Narul Islam, Bangladesh’s Acting High Commissioner, who was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday evening. The MEA expressed concern over negative statements vis a vis India by the authorities in Dhaka.
The MEA statement said “Bangladesh authorities continue to portray India negatively, holding us responsible for internal governance issues. These statements by Bangladesh are in fact responsible for the persistent negativity. While the Government of India will make efforts for a mutually beneficial relationship we expect that Bangladesh will reciprocate similarly without vitiating the atmosphere.”
The summons by India to the Bangladesh High Commissioner also reflected on the storming and destruction of the home of Sheikh Mujibur Rehman, the founder of Bangladesh and the father of ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina.
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “All those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured Bangla identity and pride are aware of the importance of this residence for the national consciousness of Bangladesh.”
But it was Hasina’s statement on the demolition of her ancestral home that may have upset Dhaka.
Indicating her anguish, Hasina said “They can demolish a building, but not the history. History takes its revenge,” and urged people to defy the interim Yunus government, accusing them of seizing power in an “unconstitutional manner.”
India pointed out that Hasina’s comments “have been made in her individual capacity in which India has no role to play.” But the interim government seems in no mood to listen, and India, which has given sanctuary to Hasina, is an obvious and inviting target.
This turmoil comes a day after India expressed anguish over the vandalism of the home of Sheikh Hasina’s father and Bangladesh founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. During a live online address of Hasina, a large group of protesters vandalised and set on fire the Bangladesh founder’s residence in Dhaka on Wednesday.
