Dhaka, Nov 27 (V7N)- Nahid Islam, Advisor to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, has criticized India's recent statement expressing concern over the arrest of Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote spokesperson Chinmoy Krishna Das, calling it an "unauthorized practice." He made the remarks during an interview with BBC Bangla on Wednesday.

"We believe such a statement by India is unauthorized and an attempt to further provoke the situation," Nahid Islam said. He added, "India should focus on ensuring the security and rights of its own minority communities rather than interfering in Bangladesh's internal matters."

The advisor also accused India of endorsing "false propaganda" propagated by the Awami League and called for responsible behavior that aligns with the spirit of mutual respect between the neighboring nations.

On Tuesday, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs expressed "deep concern" over the arrest and cancellation of bail of Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is accused of insulting the national flag and inciting religious sentiments.

In response, Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement late Tuesday night, expressing disappointment with India's remarks. The statement called India's position "unsubstantiated" and emphasized that it "misrepresents the incident" and undermines the spirit of friendship between the two countries.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, the spokesperson for Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested on Monday at Shahjalal International Airport. The arrest followed a case filed against him and others in Chittagong on charges of insulting the national flag and hurting religious sentiments. The incident has sparked both domestic and international reactions, adding to the tension.

The development underscores the diplomatic challenges in managing bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India while addressing sensitive internal issues.

END/MSS/AJ