..Soma..

Related links: 1. hrw.org/report/2010/12/09/tr… 2. thedailystar.net/opinion/hum… 3. dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/… 4. en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh… 5. dw.com/bn/%E0%A6%AB%E0%A7%87…

We strongly condemn the killing of another Bangladeshi citizen, Anwar Hossain, at the Panchagarh border by the Border Security Force @BSF_India. This is not an isolated incident. Since Bangladesh’s independence, BSF has been repeatedly implicated in the killing of unarmed Bangladeshi civilians—acts that starkly contravene international conventions on the right to life and the principles of proportionality in border security measures. Data from Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) highlights the alarming scale of this violence: between 2009 and 2020, 522 Bangladeshis were killed by BSF, with 324 shot and others tortured to death. Human Rights Watch’s @hrw 2010 report, “Trigger Happy”, underscores a persistent pattern of lethal force, with Indian government sources attributing 347 Bangladeshi and 164 Indian deaths to BSF firing between 2006 and 2010. Shockingly, these killings continue unabated, with 34 recorded in 2023, 23 in 2022, and 18 in 2021. These deaths are often defended with dubious claims of combating smuggling or self-defense, in blatant violation of the 2018 accord, under which India and Bangladesh pledged to avoid lethal force in managing border crossings. This stark reality undermines claims of friendship between the two nations, particularly during the past 16 years of the Awami regime. Over 300 lives were lost at the border during the 2010s alone, a grim testament to enduring hostility that contradicts the rhetoric of partnership. The Indian government must take urgent steps to ensure its border forces comply with international human rights standards. Respect for the right to life, proportionality, and humane treatment must underpin all border operations. True friendship between nations can only be built on a foundation of mutual respect, equity, and shared harmony.

We categorically reject the baseless and inflammatory claims suggesting systematic targeting of minorities, particularly Hindus, or any complicity by the interim government of Bangladesh in such actions. Terms like “Hindu pogroms” and “genocide” are not just false; they are reckless fabrications designed to incite division and unrest. These unfounded accusations have already incited violence, including the assault on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, India, on December 2, 2024. To dismantle these deliberate distortions, we draw attention to investigative reports such as the BBC’s “The far-right videos distorting the truth of Bangladesh minority attacks” and Netra News’ “Claims of sectarian motives in nine Hindu deaths falter under scrutiny.” These reports expose the manipulative narratives and identify the real instigators of violence—the former regime, whose operatives orchestrated widespread brutality during the July-August uprising, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries. We invite independent journalists, both local and international, to visit Bangladesh, investigate freely, and report accurately. Evidence-based journalism is essential to counter misinformation and foster understanding by uncovering the truth and challenging false narratives. Our government remains resolute in its commitment to transparency, justice, and accountability. We will continue to safeguard the rights and dignity of every citizen, uphold the rule of law, and draw strength from our diversity as we work toward a fair and inclusive future. @ChiefAdviserGoB @BDMOFA @AsifMahmud36 @UNHumanRights @UNGeneva @usembassydhaka @USAmbBangladesh @MEAIndia @NetraNews @BBCNews @BBCHindi

India’s ruling elite is engaging in divisive politics and anti-Bangladesh rhetoric. Bangladesh shares historical and cultural ties with West Bengal, Tripura, and Assam; they are our stakeholders. During the ongoing uprising in Bangladesh, students from Kolkata and Delhi stood in solidarity with us and protested against Sheikh Hasina’s atrocities. These democracy-loving people of India are our friends. However, India’s ruling elite and Hindutva forces do not want such democratic relations and harmony. They perceive Bangladesh’s uprising and the political awakening of its students as a threat. As a result, they are fostering hatred against Bangladesh. By using the “minority persecution” narrative, Delhi is attempting to rehabilitate the fascist Awami League and disrupt Bangladesh’s democratic and nation-rebuilding process. From the beginning, we have been emphasizing that Indian government must stop viewing Bangladesh through the Awami League’s lens and establish a new relationship based on equity, fairness, and mutual respect. Bangladesh is committed to ensuring full citizenship rights, dignity, and security for all minority communities, including Hindus. It was during the Awami League’s tenure that minorities faced the highest level of persecution, yet Delhi has unconditionally supported the Awami League. While India fails to ensure the rights of its own minorities, it has provided shelter and support to the Awami League, a party that persecuted minorities and commited genocide in Bangladesh. By continuing to provide refuge and support to Sheikh Hasina, a fugitive responsible for genocide and child killings, the Indian government risks undermining shared democratic values. India must not forget that its stability and integrity are closely interlinked with the stability and integrity of Bangladesh. The BJP is attempting to turn Bangladesh into an internal political issue for India. If this happens, it will be detrimental to India’s domestic politics. Anti-Bangladesh and anti-Muslim politics will not serve India’s national interest or contribute to its unity. Therefore, we call on India to cease false propaganda against Bangladesh and uphold harmony and respect for democracy.