New Delhi: The interim government in Bangladesh has reacted strongly to remarks by Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence, USA, on the present situation in that country. Gabbard, in an interview to NDTV had said: “longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern,” for the Donald Trump administration.
“The threat of Islamist terrorists and the global effort of different terror groups are routed in the same ideology and objective – which is to rule or govern with an Islamist Caliphate. This obviously affects people of any other religion, other than the one that they find acceptable, and they choose to carry this out with terror and very violent ways and means,” Gabbard added, saying that the US is deeply concerned about the situation in Bangladesh and the Trump administration is focused and committed to defeating “Islamist terrorism” globally.
The Bangladesh government, under Muhammad Yunus took to social media and stated: “We note with deep concern and distress the remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, in which she alleged ‘persecution and killing’ of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that ‘the threat of Islamic terrorists’ in the country is ‘rooted’ in the ‘ideology and objective’ to ‘rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate’.”
“This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism. The comments are “not based on any evidence or specific allegations”. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush. Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts,” the statement says.
The statement also says: “Groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an ‘Islamist caliphate’ undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who are committed to peace, stability, and progress”. Bangladesh strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of ‘Islamist caliphate’. Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially about the most sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, to fan fears and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions. In support of our shared global efforts to combat extremism and terrorism, the Interim Government of Bangladesh remains committed to engaging in constructive dialogue based on facts and on respect for the sovereignty and security of all nations.”
This comes days after Mohammad Harun Al Rashid, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Morocco castigated the interim government for promoting radical Islam in the country. His passport was cancelled and Rashid moved to Canada.
