The controversial Tweet

The India-Bangladesh relationship is now better than it has been for years. She could have easily conveyed her concerns, if any, to her Bangladesh counterpart

The Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj’s Tweet regarding the communal incident in Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria, has embarrassed the Bangladeshi government and also offended Bangladeshis irrespective of political or religious affiliations. In her Tweet Swaraj stated that she had asked Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to call on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and express grave concern about the safety and wellbeing of the Hindus in Bangladesh. Her remarks can only have a negative impact on the friendly relations between the neighbours. 
The India-Bangladesh relationship is now better than it has been for years. She could have easily conveyed her concerns, if any, to her Bangladesh counterpart. That she did not choose to do so reflects poorly on her diplomatic acumen. Her remark was a knee-jerk reaction that has done no good to those who want the excellent relation between the two countries to continue. This type of a Tweet is simply unacceptable from a senior Indian minister and it will hardly enhance India’s image. There are mischief mongers who can use the Tweet to spread anti India sentiment and communal hatred. We would like to think that it was not her intention to interfere in Bangladesh’s internal matters. However, one can easily interpret her Tweet as doing that very thing. We would like to inform the Indian minister that Bangladesh is quite capable of handling its internal matters. And it has always been Bangladeshi government’ policy not to comment on other country’s–including India’s–internal affairs. 
Secularism is the ethos of this republic’s constitution and non-Muslims in Bangladesh are never discriminated against. In fact, any country trying to pose as guardians of any community will do them no good at all. After the Nasirnagar incident people from all walks of life were outraged. As many as 53 people have been arrested so far on charge of their alleged involvement in the attacks while allegations of administrative failure and police negligence are being investigated. The ruling Awami League has suspended three of its local leaders over the incident and party’s recently appointed general secretary Obaidul Quader has warned of stern actions against those involved.
Bangladeshi Hindus and people of other religions do not need foreign guardians. This country–unlike some other countries of the region–does not discriminate on the basis of religion. Unfortunate incidents do take place but this country has the wherewithal to do deal with them on its own. 

 

The controversial Tweet

The India-Bangladesh relationship is now better than it has been for years. She could have easily conveyed her concerns, if any, to her Bangladesh counterpart

The Indian Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swarajs Tweet regarding the communal incident in Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria, has embarrassed the Bangladeshi government and also offended Bangladeshis irrespective of political or religious affiliations. In her Tweet Swaraj stated that she had asked Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka to call on the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and express grave concern about the safety and wellbeing of the Hindus in Bangladesh. Her remarks can only have a negative impact on the friendly relations between the neighbours. The India-Bangladesh relationship is now better than it has been for years. She could have easily conveyed her concerns, if any, to her Bangladesh counterpart. That she did not choose to do so reflects poorly on her diplomatic acumen. Her remark was a knee-jerk reaction that has done no good to those who want the excellent relation between the two countries to continue. This type of a Tweet is simply unacceptable from a senior Indian minister and it will hardly enhance Indias image. There are mischief mongers who can use the Tweet to spread anti India sentiment and communal hatred. We would like to think that it was not her intention to interfere in Bangladeshs internal matters. However, one can easily interpret her Tweet as doing that very thing. We would like to inform the Indian minister that Bangladesh is quite capable of handling its internal matters. And it has always been Bangladeshi government policy not to comment on other countrysincluding Indiasinternal affairs. Secularism is the ethos of this republics constitution and non-Muslims in Bangladesh are never discriminated against. In fact, any country trying to pose as guardians of any community will do them no good at all. After the Nasirnagar incident people from all walks of life were outraged. As many as 53 people have been arrested so far on charge of their alleged involvement in the attacks while allegations of administrative failure and police negligence are being investigated. The ruling Awami League has suspended three of its local leaders over the incident and partys recently appointed general secretary Obaidul Quader has warned of stern actions against those involved. Bangladeshi Hindus and people of other religions do not need foreign guardians. This countryunlike some other countries of the regiondoes not discriminate on the basis of religion. Unfortunate incidents do take place but this country has the wherewithal to do deal with them on its own.