Bangladesh protests Indian minister's comments on migration

Following remarks by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, who criticized the ruling JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand for allegedly fostering "rampant infiltration" from Bangladesh, the Bangladeshi foreign ministry formally protested to the Indian High Commission in Dhaka.

Shah warned that if left unchecked, illegal immigrants could outnumber locals in the state within 25-30 years, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

He questioned the land’s ownership, asking if it belongs to tribals or “Rohingya and Bangladeshi infiltrators,” asserting that only Prime Minister Narendra Modi could address the issue.

In the protest note, Bangladesh urged the Indian government to counsel political leaders against making such derogatory statements. The note, delivered to Indian Deputy High Commissioner Pawan Badhe, expressed Bangladesh's serious reservations, deep hurt, and extreme displeasure over Shah's remarks. The ministry emphasized that such statements from those in responsible positions undermine the mutual respect and understanding between the two neighboring countries.

By Vafa Guliyeva