Mon Sep 30 07:15:42 UTC 2024: ## Bangladesh Protests Amit Shah’s “Infiltrator” Remarks, Calls for Restraint
**Dhaka, Bangladesh** – The Bangladeshi government has lodged a formal protest with India over comments made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, deeming them “objectionable and unacceptable.” The protest note was handed to India’s Deputy High Commissioner in Dhaka on Monday.
During a rally in Jharkhand last week, Shah made inflammatory remarks about Bangladeshi “infiltrators,” stating that they would be “hanged upside down” and that their marriage to Indian women would not be tolerated. He also accused the Jharkhand government of patronizing infiltrators.
The Bangladeshi Foreign Ministry issued a statement expressing “deep sense of hurt” and “extreme displeasure” at Shah’s remarks. They highlighted that these comments undermine the spirit of mutual respect and understanding between the two countries, particularly considering they came from a high-ranking official.
The statement urged the Indian government to caution its political leaders against making such statements, emphasizing the importance of maintaining good relations between the neighboring nations.
India-Bangladesh relations have been strained since July 2024 when Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country. Despite these tensions, the Jamaat-e-Islami party chief, Shafiqur Rahman, has called for enhanced relations with India, underscoring the importance of diplomatic engagement.
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