New Delhi, Apr 18 (V7N)-  India has strongly rejected Bangladesh's recent comments regarding the Murshidabad violence in West Bengal, terming them "unwarranted" and "misguided", according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued on Friday (April 18).

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to remarks made by Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Press Secretary to the Bangladesh interim government, who on April 8 had expressed concern over the violence linked to the Waqf Act and urged the Indian central and West Bengal state governments to ensure the safety of the minority Muslim community.

“We reject the statement made by Bangladesh on the West Bengal incident,” said Jaiswal, calling it a “disguised and deceptive attempt” to equate India’s internal matters with India’s well-founded concerns over the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh.

Jaiswal further stated, “Those responsible for crimes against religious minorities in Bangladesh are still roaming free. Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities, instead of issuing irrational comments and offering virtuous advice.”

The incident in Murshidabad, which erupted following tensions around Waqf property regulations, sparked widespread unrest in certain areas of West Bengal. The Indian government maintains that it is addressing the situation internally and considers Bangladesh's statement a breach of diplomatic norms.

The sharp exchange highlights ongoing sensitivities between the two neighbors over issues of minority rights and internal governance.

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