India’s statement on Chinmoy’s arrest a ‘misrepresentation of facts’: Foreign ministry
The statement is also contrary to spirit of friendship and understanding between the two countries, said the ministry
Bangladesh has expressed disappointments over the statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of India regarding the arrest of former ISKCON Bangladesh leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.
"Attention of the Government of Bangladesh has been drawn to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs of India to the media today on a matter concerning internal affairs of Bangladesh," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said a statement issued this evening (26 November).
The statement reads, "It is with utter dismay and deep sense of hurt that the Government of Bangladesh notes that the arrest of Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das has been misconstrued by certain quarters since Sri Chinmoy Krishna Das has been arrested on specific charges."
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It stated that the government maintains that such "unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighboring countries."
The statement also does not reflect the harmony that exists among the peoples of all faiths and the commitment and the efforts of the government and the people in this regard, it added.
"It also completely disregards that the Government of Bangladesh is determined to conclusively end the culture of impunity to the perpetrators of gross human rights violations against the people of Bangladesh, thus treating the religious majority and minorities alike," said the statement.
Govt committed to uphold religious harmony in Bangladesh
In the statement, the foreign ministry said the government is firm to uphold religious harmony in Bangladesh, irrespective of religious affiliation and uphold rule of law for every Bangladeshi in accordance with the country's legal framework.
It said the government is also committed to upholding communal harmony in the country.
The government also reaffirmed in the strongest terms that every Bangladeshi, regardless of his or her religious identity, has the right to establish, maintain or perform respective religious rituals and practices or express views without hindrance.
"Ensuring safety and security of all citizens, particularly the members of religious minorities remains a duty of the Government of Bangladesh. This was yet again vindicated by the peaceful observance of Durga Puja throughout Bangladesh only last month," it said.
The government reiterated that the country's judiciary is fully independent and it does not interfere in the work of the judiciary. "The matter under question is at present being dealt with by the court of law."
