Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Apr 18: India on Friday firmly rejected Bangladesh’s comments on the recent violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district, where three people were killed during protests.

“This is a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to draw a parallel with India’s concerns over minority persecution in Bangladesh,” said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “Instead of unwarranted virtue signalling, Bangladesh should focus on protecting its own minorities.”

Earlier, Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to Bangladesh’s chief adviser Muhammad Yunus, condemned the violence against Muslims in West Bengal and urged Indian authorities to ensure their safety.

Meanwhile, sources in India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said preliminary investigations pointed to the involvement of alleged Bangladeshi miscreants in the Murshidabad unrest, possibly aided initially by local leaders.

Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan spoke with West Bengal’s top officials, advising vigilance in sensitive districts and offering Centre’s full support to restore normalcy.

The violence, sparked by protests against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, spread across Malda, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly, and Murshidabad, leading to arson, stone-pelting, and road blockades.