Bangladesh on Sunday rejected India’s concerns over the safety of Hindu minorities in the country, describing recent incidents involving members of the community as “isolated criminal acts” rather than cases of systemic persecution.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, Bangladesh said remarks made by the spokesperson of India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) did not reflect the ground reality and were based on what it termed inaccurate and exaggerated narratives.
The response came two days after the MEA termed attacks on Hindus by radical elements in Bangladesh as “unacceptable” and said New Delhi expected those responsible to be brought to justice. India had also expressed serious concern over continued violence against minority communities, including Hindus, Christians and Buddhists, and urged Dhaka to ensure their safety and security.
India had specifically condemned the lynching of 27-year-old Hindu garment worker Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh on December 18, stating that those involved must be held accountable.
The MEA also referred to another fatal assault on a Hindu man in Rajbari district earlier this month and cited reports by independent sources documenting thousands of incidents of violence against minorities in recent months, including killings, arson and alleged land seizures.
Responding to these references, Bangladesh said there were “systematic attempts” to portray isolated criminal incidents as evidence of widespread persecution of Hindus. Dhaka alleged that such narratives were being selectively amplified and misrepresented to create hostility against Bangladesh, its people and even its diplomatic missions in India.
The foreign ministry also contested India’s reference to the Rajbari incident, claiming the individual was a listed criminal who died while allegedly attempting extortion along with a Muslim accomplice, who was later arrested. Framing the case as an instance of minority persecution was “misleading and not factual”, the statement said.
Calling for restraint, Dhaka urged stakeholders in India to refrain from spreading what it described as misleading narratives, warning that such actions could undermine mutual trust and good-neighbourly relations between the two countries.