The interim authorities of Professor Muhammad Yunus refuted U.S. National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks on the alleged persecution of minority communities in Bangladesh saying her feedback have been “not based on any evidence or specific allegations”.
“They (Gabbard’s comments) paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush,” the chief adviser’s workplace stated on a verified Facebook put up at round midnight Monday (March 17, 2025).
It stated Ms. Gabbard’s assertion in an Indian TV channel was “misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism”.
The U.S. spy chief, now in India, earlier on Monday stated the “longtime unlucky persecution, killing, and abuse of non secular minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a serious space of concern for the U.S. authorities and President Trump and his administration.”
In an interview with the TV channel, Ms. Gabbard alleged “persecution and killing” of religious minorities in Bangladesh and that “the specter of Islamic terrorists” in the country was “rooted” in the “ideology and goal” to “rule and govern with an Islamist caliphate”.
She said U.S. President Donald Trump’s newly begun talks with Bangladesh’s interim government on the issue while “The talks are just beginning between President Trump’s new cabinet coming in and the Government of Bangladesh, but this continues to remain a central focus area of concern”.
But the chief adviser’s workplace stated groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the thought of an “Islamist caliphate” undermined the onerous work of numerous Bangladeshis and their pals and companions world wide who have been dedicated to peace, stability, and progress.
It stated Bangladesh “strongly condemns any efforts to hyperlink the nation to any type of “Islamist caliphate'”.
“Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially about the most sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, to fan fears and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions,” Yunus’s workplace stated.
Ms. Gabbard, who arrived in New Delhi on Sunday on a three-day go to, spoke concerning the ideology of an “Islamic Caliphate” and the way extremist parts and terror teams globally intention for such an final result.
The Chief Adviser’s workplace, nonetheless, stated Bangladesh, like many nations world wide, confronted challenges of extremism, “however it has repeatedly labored in partnership with the worldwide neighborhood, together with the US, to deal with these points by way of legislation enforcement, social reforms, and different counterterrorism efforts”.
“In help of our shared international efforts to fight extremism and terrorism, the Interim Government of Bangladesh stays dedicated to participating in constructive dialogue primarily based on info and on respect for the sovereignty and safety of all nations,” the assertion learn.
Published – March 18, 2025 04:35 am IST
