Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the interim government, Nahid Islam, has said that ensuring the safety and security of minorities in Bangladesh is the responsibility of the government, and there is no need for India to comment on the matter.

In an interview with BBC Hindi published on Thursday (Nov 14), Nahid Islam discussed the state of minorities in Bangladesh, their security, and the dynamics of India-Bangladesh relations.

When asked about India repeatedly raising concerns about the protection of minorities in Bangladesh, Nahid said, “The minorities here are our citizens. It is our duty to ensure their safety. India has no need to speak on this. What India should comment on is the genocide that occurred last July-August.”

He added, “India should focus on how it can assist Bangladesh in addressing current challenges. Moreover, Indian media have been spreading misinformation about our government. India should set boundaries in this regard. We want discussions based on facts and efforts to improve relations.”

On the July-August Genocide

Nahid said in response to the question, "What do you mean by clarifying India's position on the July-August massacre?", “The genocide perpetrated by the Awami League during that period is yet to be addressed by India. While some countries have expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh, India has remained silent. On the contrary, India has provided shelter to the person (Sheikh Hasina) who bears responsibility for the incident.”

When questioned if this implies India is overlooking the violence, Nahid responded, “If India shows sympathy toward those who lost their loved ones, the people of Bangladesh will take it positively. We want India to assist us in taking legal action against the perpetrators of the genocide.”

On Minority Rights

Addressing concerns about minority persecution, Nahid said, “We are fully aware of the suffering that occurred. It is important to note that had timely measures not been taken after the mass uprising, the situation could have worsened.”

Referring to the recent Durga Puja celebrations, he said, “There were warnings of potential violence, but we deployed sufficient law enforcement members. The festival was celebrated peacefully. Our government has communicated with minorities to assure them, and they are reassured.”

When asked about complaints from minorities regarding insufficient measures, he said, “I would say no government has worked as closely with minorities as we have in the past three months. Previous governments only exploited them politically. Trust in those governments had eroded, and we are working to rebuild that trust. However, certain issues cannot be resolved immediately; we need time.”

Extremism Concerns Post-Awami League

Responding to a question about the possibility of increased activity by extremist groups after the Awami League’s departure, Nahid said, “The people of Bangladesh never support violence or extremism. They want a democratic government.”

He dismissed concerns as Awami League propaganda, stating, “The Awami League used to claim that extremism would rise if they were not in power. This narrative allowed them to rule for years, and India supported this. But why should India-Bangladesh relations depend on whether the Awami League is in power?”

He added, “This implies that India’s relationship was with the Awami League, not the people of Bangladesh. India should focus on the people of Bangladesh, just as we do not concern ourselves with whether BJP or Congress is in power in India.”

On Infrastructure and Investments

When asked who benefits from India-Bangladesh connectivity projects—the Awami League or the people—Nahid said, “The focus should not be on the Awami League’s perspective. If both countries work together, we can achieve mutual benefits. We have not severed ties with any country or halted any projects. Everything is proceeding as before.”

On reviewing investments, Nahid said, “Yes, we are reviewing all projects, not just with India but with other countries as well. We are examining whether there was any corruption or whether any projects are not beneficial for Bangladesh.”

BDST: 1630 HRS, NOV 15, 2024
MSK