India has strongly criticized Bangladesh’s remarks regarding the recent violence in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district during protests over amendments to the Waqf Act. Terming Dhaka’s statements as “unwarranted” and an act of “virtue signalling,” New Delhi urged its eastern neighbor to prioritize the protection of minorities within its own borders.
Bangladesh’s press secretary, Shafiqul Alam, had earlier commented on the April 8 violence, saying, “We urge the Government of India and West Bengal to take all steps to fully protect the minority Muslim population.” India rejected any suggestion of culpability, calling the statement an attempt to deflect attention.
What India said in response to Bangladesh’s comments
Responding to the comments, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described them as “a barely disguised and disingenuous attempt to equate them with India’s legitimate concerns about the continued persecution of minorities in Bangladesh, where the perpetrators of such crimes continue to operate with impunity.”
Our response to media queries regarding comments made by Bangladesh officials on the developments in West Bengal:
https://t.co/P6DuqlRndJ pic.twitter.com/HmIai5U0Vp
— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) April 18, 2025
India further called on Bangladesh to address its own record on minority rights. The rebuttal came amid recent statements by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, who told Parliament that there were 2,400 reported incidents of violence against religious minorities in Bangladesh during 2024, with 72 additional cases already recorded in 2025.
The Indian government’s response coincided with an announcement from West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose, who declared his intention to visit the violence-affected areas of Murshidabad, vowing to “impose peace at any cost.”
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West Bengal Government’s report on Murshidabad Violence
According to a state government report, the protests initially began peacefully on April 4 across various police station jurisdictions in Jangipur. However, they escalated on April 8 when a crowd of around 5,000 people blocked NH-12 at Umarpur and allegedly attacked police using bricks, iron rods, sharp weapons, and firebombs. Government property was also targeted.
Further unrest erupted in Suti and Samsherganj on April 11, resulting in vandalism of both public and private assets. Police officials acknowledged that they opened fire at Sajur More in Suti in self-defence to protect both officers and civilians. To date, 278 individuals have been arrested in connection with the violence in Murshidabad.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee urged the Governor to delay his visit, stating that normalcy was gradually being restored.
