To say that Indian Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent statements in reference to Bangladeshis betray the country’s supposed desire to form a long-lasting partnership with our country would be an understatement, as the Indian minister’s threats to deal with Bangladeshi “infiltrators” -- once the BJP forms a government in Jharkhand -- by hanging them upside down, crosses the line of what is considered acceptable rhetoric.
It is reprehensible and irresponsible considering the current situation.
As things stand, bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India are already under severe strain, ever since the fall of the previous Awami League government, and despite repeated acknowledgments of a desire to overcome the prevailing circumstances from both Bangladesh and India, violent rhetoric from Indian political leaders simply get in the way.
While it is good to see the interim government taking a stand, it was only a few weeks ago that Bangladesh strongly protested India’s Border Security Force killing Bangladeshi Shwarna Das along our shared borders, a second formal protest does nothing but prove a sense of belligerence on India’s part.
Delegates from both Bangladesh and India have already met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly this year discussing the mutual interests of both countries -- there is clearly a deep desire to nurture the historic ties between Bangladesh and India from both sides. Where exactly is this hostility coming from, in that case?
As our closest neighbour, Bangladesh wants nothing more than maintaining friendly relations with India, but for that to pan out the Indian government needs to rein in their political leaders from stoking hate within their citizens against Bangladeshis.
