Dhaka Rejects India’s Claim, Urges Protection for Muslims

Bangladesh has strongly protested attempts to link it to recent communal violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district and called on India to ensure full protection of its minority Muslim population.

Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam made the statement on Thursday during a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.

“We strongly refute any attempts to implicate Bangladesh in the communal violence in Murshidabad,” Alam said, referring to reports in Indian media that cited alleged involvement of Bangladeshi individuals in the unrest.

He said the Bangladesh government condemned the attacks on Muslims, which resulted in the loss of lives and property.
“We urge the Government of India and the authorities in West Bengal to take all necessary steps to fully protect the minority Muslim community,” he added.

The violence erupted last week in the Muslim-majority Murshidabad district during protests over the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Demonstrations reportedly spread across Malda, South 24 Parganas, and Hooghly, leading to arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades.

Initial findings by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs have reportedly suggested the involvement of individuals from Bangladesh, a claim Dhaka categorically denies.