Bangladesh has firmly dismissed concerns raised by New Delhi over alleged violence against Hindus, calling the assertions misleading and detached from realities on the ground, as diplomatic exchanges between the two neighbours sharpen over minority safety and communal harmony.Dhaka’s foreign ministry said incidents cited by India amounted to isolated criminal acts rather than evidence of any organised or targeted campaign against religious minorities. In a strongly worded statement, it accused “certain quarters” of selectively highlighting events to distort facts, undermine Bangladesh’s image and stoke anti-Bangladesh sentiment across the border.
The response follows public remarks from officials in New Delhi expressing unease over attacks on Hindu homes, temples and businesses in Bangladesh. Those comments had prompted calls for Dhaka to ensure stronger protection for minorities, particularly in the aftermath of politically charged developments and periods of heightened social tension.
Bangladesh’s government rejected the characterisation outright, arguing that law enforcement agencies had acted swiftly wherever criminal activity occurred, regardless of the victims’ religious identity. The foreign ministry stressed that Bangladesh’s constitution guarantees equal rights to all citizens and that the state maintains a policy of zero tolerance towards communal violence.
Officials in Dhaka pointed to crime data and police investigations showing that incidents involving minorities were not part of any coordinated pattern. According to the government, many cases cited abroad were linked to local disputes, theft, vandalism or broader law-and-order challenges that affected communities across religious lines. The ministry said presenting such cases as targeted persecution ignored both context and corrective action taken by authorities.
The diplomatic friction reflects a broader sensitivity in bilateral relations, where domestic political narratives often spill into foreign policy discourse. Minority protection remains a politically charged issue in South Asia, frequently invoked during electoral cycles and moments of regional strain. Analysts note that statements framed for domestic audiences can harden positions on both sides, even when governments seek to prevent escalation.
Dhaka also warned against what it described as misinformation circulating on social media platforms, where unverified videos and images are sometimes shared without context. The foreign ministry said several viral claims had been debunked by fact-checks or linked to incidents outside Bangladesh, yet continued to be amplified to support claims of widespread persecution.
At the same time, Bangladesh acknowledged that challenges remain in safeguarding communal harmony in a densely populated country grappling with economic pressures, political contestation and the disruptive impact of digital misinformation. Officials reiterated commitments to protect places of worship, prosecute offenders and work with community leaders to defuse tensions before they escalate.
From New Delhi’s perspective, officials have maintained that raising concerns about minority safety is consistent with regional stability and people-to-people ties. Diplomatic sources indicate that India has sought reassurances through established channels rather than signalling any punitive measures, underlining the importance it places on its relationship with Dhaka.
The episode underscores the delicate balance both countries face in managing sensitive domestic issues while preserving a partnership that spans trade, connectivity, security cooperation and regional development. Bangladesh is among India’s key neighbours, with bilateral trade crossing billions of dollars annually and cooperation deepening on energy grids, rail links and counterterrorism.
Observers say the dispute is unlikely to derail the broader relationship but may add strain at a time when both governments are navigating complex internal dynamics. For Dhaka, safeguarding its international reputation as a country committed to pluralism carries weight, particularly as it seeks foreign investment and greater global engagement. For New Delhi, public concern over the welfare of Hindus abroad resonates strongly with domestic constituencies.