Stop virtue-signalling, shield minorities, India tells Bangladesh

NEW DELHI: Following Bangladesh's remarks on West Bengal violence , the Indian govt hit out at the interim govt in Dhaka saying it should focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities instead of indulging in virtue signalling .

The Indian govt also said that the criminal perpetrators of violence against minorities in Bangladesh continued to roam free.

"We reject the remarks made by the Bangladesh side with regard to the incidents in West Bengal. This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India's concerns over the ongoing persecution of minorities in Bangladesh where the criminal perpetrators of such acts continue to roam free,'' said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. "Instead of making unwarranted comments and indulging in virtue signalling, Bangladesh would do better to focus on protecting the rights of its own minorities,'' he added.

Jaiswal was responding to media queries regarding comments made by Bangladesh officials on the developments in West Bengal.

Shafiqul Alam, the press secretary to Bangladesh chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday called on New Delhi and the West Bengal govt to take "all steps to fully protect the minority Muslim population". "We condemn attacks on Muslims causing loss of lives and properties," he had said.

"We urge the govt of India and West Bengal to take all steps to fully protect the minority Muslim population," Alam had added.

Some parts of West Bengal, including Murshidabad, witnessed sectarian violence in the past few days following protests by the Muslim community against the Waqf Amendment Act.