New Delhi: A day after Hindu Sangharsh Samiti activists vandalised Bangladesh’s diplomatic mission in Agartala and desecrated the country’s flag, Bangladesh Nationalist Party acting chairman Tarique Rahman has posted on X, and – for the first time since the August ouster of Sheikh Hasina – mentioned India.
In Rahman’s post on X, he mentions that misinformation and anti-Bangladesh commentary has risen in India, citing the Tripura attack.
“Since the fall of autocrat Sheikh Hasina, there is an increase of inflammatory media commentary and political rhetoric against Bangladesh coming from certain Indian quarters. There is now an echo chamber filled with misinformation, fuelling persistent anti-Bangladesh sentiment. The latest attack on the Bangladeshi consulate in Agartala highlights the destabilising effects of disinformation, which only creates division and discord among neighbours.”
The Indian government described the incident as “deeply regrettable”. Dhaka underscored that it breached New Delhi’s obligations under international law.
He added that it is imperative to develop a deeper understanding of Bangladesh.
“International stakeholders must acknowledge that a destabilised Bangladesh, with near about 200 million people, is not in the interest of any country. It is crucial to objectively understand what led to Hasina’s ouster, what has been happening in Bangladesh since she fled to India, and why it’s imperative to forge people-to-people ties between Bangladesh and India, beyond any particular person or political party.”
He also added a missive to Bangladeshis.
“Bangladesh faces many challenges, but we have largely been, and will remain, a land of religious harmony and territorial sovereignty, where the rights and freedoms of every citizen are protected, irrespective of race, caste, and religion. I urge my fellow Bangladeshis to show utmost restraint and not fall prey to any provocation.”
His post comes two days after the high court division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court quashed all verdicts against him in a 2004 grenade attack case.
The relief for Rahman in the case which dealt with an attack on a rally attended by Hasina in 2004 could pave the way for his return to Bangladesh from the United Kingdom. Rumours are rife that he could well be a prime ministerial candidate in the parliamentary elections that the country is supposed to go into.
Rahman’s mother is Khaleda Zia who was the BNP leader in opposition to Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League party.
