New Delhi, Dec 20 (V7N) — India has lodged a formal protest with Bangladesh over a controversial social media post by Mahfuz Alam, an advisor to the interim government of Bangladesh. The post, which included a map linking Bangladesh with several northeastern states of India, has drawn sharp criticism from New Delhi.

During a weekly press conference on Friday, Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the protest, urging Dhaka to ensure responsible public discourse. "We have lodged a strong protest with the Bangladeshi authorities regarding this matter. We understand that the aforementioned post has already been deleted. However, all parties concerned should be more careful when making public comments," Jaiswal stated.

The now-deleted Facebook post, published on Victory Day, described the territory that became Bangladesh in 1947 as "fragmented" and suggested the need for "new territory and settlement." The remarks caused widespread backlash, prompting the advisor to remove the post within hours. Neither Mahfuz Alam nor the interim government has issued any further statement on the matter.

In addition to the protest, India has expressed concern over recent violent attacks on Hindus and other minority groups in Bangladesh. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh stressed that the interim government in Dhaka has a primary responsibility to protect the lives and freedoms of minority communities.

"India's concerns about the safety of minorities in Bangladesh have been conveyed in various high-level meetings and discussions with the interim government," Singh said. His comments came shortly after Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Mishra's recent visit to Bangladesh.

Despite the tensions, India reiterated its interest in fostering stronger ties with Bangladesh. "India has repeatedly indicated its interest in developing relations with the people and government of Bangladesh," Jaiswal emphasized, adding that such incidents highlight the need for greater responsibility in public statements.

The incident underscores the delicate nature of bilateral relations between the two neighbours, especially during a politically sensitive period in Bangladesh. New Delhi's measured response signals its commitment to maintaining constructive engagement while addressing issues of concern.

END/MSS/AJ