New Delhi: Why has senior Bangladeshi diplomat Shadab Bin Ahmed’s appointment as Deputy High Commissioner at the country’s Consulate at Kolkata in India been revoked?
According to Bangladesh daily Prothom Alo, the decision is related to Ahmed’s instruction to Consular staff in Kolkata, not to sacrifice cows and goats within the premises during Eid-ul-Adha.
Ahmed was to take charge as the Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in Kolkata in the first week of June. His appointment would take place around Eid-ul-Adha, also known as Bakrid. He has now been directed to report back to Dhaka, the newspaper has said.
According to sources, Ahmed – a seasoned diplomat – is among those in Bangladesh who desire improved ties with India. Even before taking over as Deputy High Commissioner, he is known to have directed officials at the Consulate in Kolkata to start taking steps to stop animal sacrifice. Despite being reportedly cautioned by the consulate staff about the sensitivity of the issue, he disregarded their concerns.
Shabab has been reported as saying: “We, as diplomats, serve our country. We must consider the local environment and the context where we are posted. We should respect the customs of the host country. It is essential for diplomats to earn the trust of the host nation.”
The diplomat had apparently pointed out that the Consulate of Bangladesh in Kolkata is the only one that observes animal sacrifice on Bakrid, and it results in a sanitation issue in the place.
While what goes on within the walls of a Consulate or Embassy is of no concern to the host country, questions have been raised about the animal sacrifices held in Kolkata, particularly of cows. While the slaughter of cows and the consumption of beef is legal in West Bengal, there are restrictions in most other states.
West Bengal is among the eight states and three Union Territories in the country that have no restrictions on the slaughter of cows.
Before being assigned to the Kolkata Consulate, Ahmed was at the Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands.
According to Prothom Alo, the ‘qurbani’ tradition at Kolkata’s Bangladesh Consulate has been observed for more than 30 years. Every year, several cows and goats are reportedly sacrificed, and most of the meat is distributed among the local community.
Ahmed’s instructions seem to have angered the mission staff and nobody supported his stance and this ended up with his being called back to Dhaka.
Observers believe that this move will not help in repairing the frayed ties between India and Bangladesh following Sk Hasina’s ouster in August 2024.
