The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry has said that India is spreading false information about the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson of Bangladesh Sanatan Jagran Mancha and former principal of Pundarik Dham in Hathazari, Chattogram.
The ministry issued a statement on Tuesday (November 26) night in the wake of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs' statement on Chinmoy Das.
The statement said that the Bangladesh government notes with great disappointment that since the arrest of Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das on specific charges, his arrest has been misinterpreted by some quarters. The Bangladesh government would like to say that such baseless statements not only distort the truth but also go against the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighboring countries.
Earlier, expressing concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement, "We are deeply concerned about the arrest and denial of bail of the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatan Jagran Jote, Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das. This incident took place after a series of attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh."
The statement further said that while the perpetrators of this incident are at large, charges have been framed against a religious leader who had presented his just demands through peaceful protests. The statement called on the Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety, peaceful assembly and freedom of expression of all minorities, including Hindus.
Protesting this, the Dhaka Foreign Ministry said in a statement that a statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in the media on Tuesday (November 26) on Bangladesh's internal affairs has come to the notice of the Bangladesh government.
Dhaka said that the Bangladesh government notes with great disappointment and deep sorrow that since the arrest of Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das on specific charges, his arrest has been misinterpreted by some quarters. The Bangladesh government wishes to state that such baseless statements not only distort the truth but also go against the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighboring countries.
The statement does not reflect the existing harmony among people of all religions and the commitment and efforts of the government and the people in this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
The statement said that the Indian statement completely disregarded the government's firm commitment to end the culture of impunity for serious human rights violations against the people of Bangladesh and its vision of seeing the majority and the minority equally.
The statement said that Bangladesh firmly affirms that every Bangladeshi, irrespective of his religious identity, has the right to establish, maintain or practice his own religious practices and to express his views without hindrance. It is the responsibility of the Bangladesh government to ensure the security of all citizens, especially religious minorities. This was once again demonstrated by the peaceful celebration of Durga Puja in Bangladesh last month.
It also said that the Bangladesh government wishes to reiterate that the judiciary of the country is completely independent and it does not interfere in the functioning of the judiciary. The matter in question is currently pending in the courts.
The statement said that the Bangladesh government is also committed to maintaining communal harmony in the country. The Bangladesh government is deeply concerned about the brutal killing of Advocate Saiful Islam Alif in Chattogram on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities have beefed up security in the port city to maintain religious harmony at all costs.
