Desk Report,
Dhaka calls for closure of Awami League office in India, New Delhi says it is unaware of the matter
The interim government has called for the closure of the offices of the banned Awami League in India’s capital New Delhi and Kolkata. The call was made in a notification by the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday evening. In response, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that the Indian government is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities or any activities contrary to Indian laws by alleged members of the Awami League in India.
Dhaka calls for closure of Awami League office in India, New Delhi says it is unaware of the matter
The Bangladesh Foreign Ministry’s notification said, “The news of the establishment of offices of the banned political party Bangladesh Awami League in the Indian capital Delhi and Kolkata has come to the notice of the Bangladesh government. This has come to the fore in the backdrop of the increasing anti-Bangladesh activities of the Bangladesh Awami League leadership from Indian territory.” The notification also said that many senior leaders of this party, who are absconding in several criminal cases in Bangladesh for serious crimes against humanity, are staying in India. Earlier, on July 21, some senior leaders of this banned party planned to hold a meeting at the Delhi Press Club under the cover of an unknown NGO and distributed booklets among the journalists present. Several Indian media reports have so far confirmed the increasing activity of the party while on Indian soil.
The Ministry of External Affairs believes that any political activity by Bangladeshi nationals against the interests of Bangladesh, especially by fugitive leaders and activists of a banned political party, whether legally or illegally, residing on Indian soil, including setting up offices, is a clear insult to Bangladesh and the people of this country. The incident also poses a risk to maintaining friendly relations with India based on mutual trust and respect and has serious implications for the ongoing political transformation in Bangladesh. It may create public discontent in Bangladesh, which may affect the ongoing efforts to improve relations between the two closest neighbours.
In this context, the Ministry of External Affairs said that the Bangladesh government has asked the Indian government to take steps to ensure that no Bangladeshi national is able to conduct anti-Bangladesh activities while on Indian soil. These steps include not allowing or supporting any such (anti-Bangladesh) activities and immediately closing the political offices of the banned Bangladesh Awami League on Indian soil.
India’s statement
India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded to media queries regarding Bangladesh’s statement. He said that the Indian government is not aware of any anti-Bangladesh activities or any activities contrary to Indian law by alleged members of the Awami League in India. The Indian government does not allow political activities against other countries from Indian soil.
Therefore, the press release of the Bangladesh interim government is not correct.
India reiterates its hope that free, fair and inclusive elections will be held as soon as possible to ensure the aspirations and mandate of the people of Bangladesh.
