United News of Bangladesh

India on Thursday said Bangladesh’s remarks on alleged “pushback” incidents must be viewed in the context of the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshi immigrants and urged Bangladesh to expedite pending nationality verification cases. “We expect that Bangladesh will expedite nationality verification so that the repatriation of illegal immigrants can take place in a smooth manner,” Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters while responding to a question. At the weekly media briefing, he said they have seen comments of this nature being made in the last several days and these comments must be seen in the context of the core issue of the repatriation of illegal Bangladeshis from India. “This obviously requires cooperation from Bangladesh,” Jaiswal said. He mentioned that more than 2,860 cases of nationality verification were pending with Bangladesh, with some awaiting clearance for over five years. The Indian side said the people or foreigners who are staying in India illegally, whether they happen to be Bangladeshi national or any other national, they will be dealt as per law. Eatlier, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed expressed hope that people would not be pushed into Bangladesh after the BJP’s victory in assembly elections in bordering Indian states. He, however, said the Border Guard Bangladesh had been asked to “remain alert” along the border.    

India on Friday trashed the remarks made by Bangladesh Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam Chowdhury blaming New Delhi for recent violence, calling those allegations 'false and baseless'. “We categorically reject these false and baseless allegations," said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal while responding to a question during the weekly media briefing. He said the interim government, which is unable to maintain law and order in the country, has a tendency of routinely trying to shifting the blame elsewhere. The MEA Spokesperson urged Bangladesh to 'introspect and conduct serious investigations' into the actions of local extremists committing violence, arson and land grab against minority communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Bangladesh, India emotionally linked by shared sacrifices: Verma Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury on Monday alleged that the current unrest in Khagrachhari was being instigated by India or fascist elements. “All necessary measures have been taken to ensure the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja, but a vested quarter is trying to disrupt the festival,” he said.

India has expressed concern over what it called a "surge of extremist rhetoric" in Bangladesh and said the interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting the minorities. "We are concerned at the surge of extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence and provocation," Spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal told reporters in a regular media briefing in New Delhi on Friday. He said these developments "cannot be dismissed" only as "media exaggerations." "We once again call upon Bangladesh to take steps for the protection of minorities," said the MEA spokesperson. Expressing its concern over the situation of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh, Jaiswal said that the Indian government has raised the issue with Bangladesh.  “We made opposition very clear as far as the situation of Hindus and minorities in Bangladesh is concerned. We have raised this matter with Bangladesh that they must take responsibility for protecting the minorities and safeguarding their interests, and providing for their safety and security," he added. On the arrest and imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna Das, Jaiswal said they have issued a statement on that. Bangladesh condemns desecration of national flag, effigy burning of Prof Yunus in Kolkata “We see ISKCON as a globally well-regarded organisation with a strong record of social service," said the MEA spokesperson. He said cases against individuals and legal processes are underway. The Indian MEA spokesperson said they hope and expect that these processes will be dealt with in a fair, just and transparent manner ensuring full respect for these individuals and all those who are concerned.