New Delhi: A day after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made her first statement following her ouster, Bangladesh informed India that her remarks, made while being allowed to stay there, were “not conducive” to fostering bilateral relations. Dhaka also expressed concerns about the “highly exaggerated” coverage by Indian media of the aftermath of August 5.
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This was communicated during the first formal interaction between the interim government and India, when Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma met with Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain in Dhaka on Wednesday.>
“About former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent statements, he (Adviser) mentioned that such statements emanating from India are not conducive to fostering better bilateral relations,” said a readout issued by Bangladesh foreign ministry.
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Hasina has been in an undisclosed location near the Indian capital since her arrival at an Indian air force base on August 5. She left suddenly after the army told her that a crowd of protestors would be soon at the prime minister’s office complex, incensed at the massive security crackdown which had taken over 300 lives.>
On Wednesday, her US-based son Sajeeb Wazed Joy, shared her statement which claimed that those killed had “fallen victim to ‘terrorist aggression’ and lost their lives”. “I demand a thorough investigation to identify and bring to justice those responsible for these heinous killings and acts of sabotage,” she said.
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Hasina also called for the commemoration of National Mourning Day on August 15, which marks the assassination of Bangladesh’s founder and her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by army officers.>
The interim government had on Wednesday announced that August 15 will not be marked as national day. Concerns had arisen in Dhaka that Sheikh Hasina was directing the few remaining leaders and workers of the former ruling party, the Awami League – most of whom are in hiding – to publicly commemorate the occasion in an attempt to revive their virtually defunct political force.>
Earlier this week, Touhid Hossain had said that bilateral relations will not be impacted even if Hasina continued to stay in India.>
In addition to Sheikh Hasina’s statement, the Bangladesh foreign affairs Adviser also spoke about “highly exaggerated” media campaign in India about what’s happening in Bangladesh.
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There has been frequent commentary in the Bangladesh media that, while targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities have occurred following Hasina’s removal, Indian political partisans have exploited the situation through misinformation and fake news for domestic political gains.>
In his congratulatory message to Yunus, Indian PM had expressed “hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities”.>
Hossain also reiterated, as per the foreign ministry, that interim government was committed to ensure peaceful coexistence of different communities in Bangladesh including the minorities.>
Besides, he highlighted the need to stop Border Killing, conclusion of Teesta Water sharing Agreement, and ensure supply of essential commodities.
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He told the Indian envoy that the main before this interim government is to bring normalcy to the overall law and order and bring the economy on track.>
Describing the students-led uprising as a second liberation movement, Hossain told the Indian envoy that the initial struggle for quota reforms had “soon morphed into a nation-wide revolutionary struggle to establish a rules-based, just, fair and inclusive society”.>
“The combined forces of the students and people have emerged victorious against the forces of authoritarianism and repression in their quest for ending discriminations and inequities,” said the press statement.
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The Adviser stated that the government is working on meaningful reforms and a lasting transformation to fulfill the aspirations of the people, especially the youth, said the Adviser.>
He thanked the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his good wishes extended to the Chief Adviser, Mohammed Yunus.>
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