Indian Media Spreading Propaganda Over Minority Issue: Foreign Adviser

Indian media outlets are spreading false and misleading information about the situation of minorities in Bangladesh, says foreign affairs adviser Touhid Hossain.

“Many other media are disseminating disinformation based on the Indian media reports. Stray incidents occur during every government,” he told the media after briefing foreign diplomats in Dhaka about Bangladesh’s current situation on Monday (December 2).

He said the government’s task is to control the situation. “We’ve done that. But false information and confusion are being spread at home and abroad,” he said.

Touhid’s comment came shortly after West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called for sending UN peacekeepers to Bangladesh, condemning the alleged persecution of minorities. She requested the central government and the prime minister to intervene in this matter.

He said a vested quarter is running a global campaign against Bangladesh. “We admit they are stronger than us, but we’re trying to clarify the situation,” he said. “Indian media is mainly running propaganda.”

The adviser said the interim government will not tolerate any attempt to create communal strife. “We don’t want to create a Hindu-Muslim division. The government will take legal action if there’s any disorder,” he said.

Bangladesh and India had, what everyone called, a role model of a bilateral relationship that goes back to Bangladesh’s creation. India helped Bangladesh defeat Pakistan in 1971 and emerge as an independent country.

The relationship suddenly turned sour after the ouster of Sheikh Hasina, considered Delhi’s closest ally. Tension rose as the interim government started re-evaluating the bilateral ties that slanted heavily in India’s favour.

Unfounded claims of persecution of minorities exacerbated the situation. The recent arrest and denial of bail of ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das fanned unrest in Chattogram, where his supporters clashed with security forces. A young lawyer was murdered during the clashes.

As India expressed concerns over Das’ arrest, the interim government said that Delhi’s statement ran against the spirit of bilateral ties.

India has stopped issuing visas to Bangladeshis since August. After Trump’s victory on November 6, a group of Indian Americans said they would try to have the new administration impose sanctions on Bangladesh.