India’s ministry of external affairs dismissed the allegation of Dhaka of inherently supporting the ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s party. Terming it misplaced, New Delhi clarified that India does not allow political activities against other countries from its soil. The central government is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities by purported members of the Awami League in India or of any action contrary to Indian law,” said a ministry’s spokesperson, adding that New Delhi expects a free, fair and inclusive elections held at the earliest in Bangladesh to ascertain the will and mandate of its citizens.
One can remember that a year’s back, when a mass uprising in Bangladesh ousted the sitting premier Hasina and she was compelled to take shelter in India, nobody thought, the daughter of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had to stay in the neighbouring country for all these months. The centre has not yet announced that Hasina is given official shelter, even though Hasina’s passport was already suspended by the interim government of Bangladesh. The Muhammad Yunus-led caretaker government continues pursuing Hasina’s deportation to face trials in her home country following hundreds of police complaints lodged against her along with many of the associates.
The recent initiative by Dhaka also shocked the people of India, where the regime alleged that many Hasina supporters were taking shelter in Kolkata and Delhi and even they are running offices in both the busy cities. An official statement issued by the Bangladesh ministry of foreign affairs on 20 August stated that Dhaka’s attention was drawn to ‘reports of offices of the banned political party Bangladesh Awami League being established’ in Delhi and Kolkata. This development occurs against the backdrop of growing anti-Bangladesh activities by Awami League leaders from the Indian territory, said the statement. It also asserted that any form of political activity and campaigning against the interest of Bangladesh by its nationals, staying on Indian soil, including the establishment of offices, constitutes an unambiguous affront to the people and State of Bangladesh.
Lately, the caretaker government has warned the media outlets in Bangladesh to avoid airing or broadcasting any message from Hasina. Accusing the dethroned premier of making false and inflammatory claims on many occasions, Dhaka asked all satellite news channels and other digital platforms in the country to ignore those, which otherwise will invite legal actions. Earlier, the International Crimes Tribunal prevented Hasina from delivering hate speeches.
The news relating to the temporary offices of Awami League in Kolkata and Delhi were spread by a number of Bangladeshi media outlets which quoted a recent BBC Bangla report. Those outlets claimed that over 2000 Awami League ministers and leaders along with retired bureaucrats, army & police officers, law practitioners and others are taking shelter in India with extended medical and tourist visas. They have rented common accommodations to assemble regularly and discuss in personal meetings or with digitally connected leaders based in other parts of the world. On one occasion, Hasina also reportedly addressed the small gathering.
New Delhi rejects Dhaka’s allegation
