India's remarks on violence 'unwarranted', says Bangladesh

Dhaka, PTI: Asserting that the demolition of the residence of Bangladesh founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman is the country's internal matter, the interim government on Sunday said India's remarks on the incident was "unexpected and unwarranted". Thousands of protesters on Wednesday last set fire to the 32 Dhanmondi residence of Rahman in Dhaka. Rahman had spearheaded the country's autonomy movement and independence struggle from this residence, which was later transformed into a memorial. This historic residence was where Rahman proclaimed Bangladesh's independence from Pakistan in 1971.

India on Thursday voiced anguish over the destruction of the historic residence and said the "act of vandalism" should be strongly condemned. "It is regrettable that the historic residence of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a symbol of the heroic resistance of the people of Bangladesh against the forces of occupation and oppression, was destroyed on February 5. All those who value the freedom struggle that nurtured Bangla identity and pride are aware of the importance of this residence for the national consciousness of Bangladesh," external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal had said. Reacting to India's remarks, Bangladesh foreign ministry on Sunday said the incident at Dhanmondi 32 pertains to the country's internal affairs, state-run BSS news agency reported.

"A statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs on this matter, issued on February 6, 2025, has come to the attention of the interim government. Such remarks from India's foreign ministry on Bangladesh's internal affairs are unexpected and unwarranted," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam was quoted as saying by BSS. "Bangladesh does not comment on the internal affairs of any state, and it expects the same conduct from others," he said.