Don’t market B’desh atrocities, act on them: TMC to BJP-led Centre
Times of India | 9 December 2024
12 Kolkata: Ahead of the foreign secretary-level talks in Dhaka, Trinamool on Sunday urged Centre to act decisively on the Bangladesh issue. The party criticised statements attributed to Bangladesh leaders and ex-military officers, saying such "deliberate attempts to provoke" only undermine efforts to "bring normalcy and restore peace" in the neighbouring country.
Party spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said, "It is abundantly clear that Centre is not acting decisively in this issue. Our position is very clear... we are a state, they (Bangladesh) are a country. We cannot act, Centre can. Leave alone acting... Centre has not even made a statement in Parliament on the issue."
"The situation in Bangladesh is very concerning. We are very anxious. Why is this cycle of attacks and violence not being stopped? Centre has to take a strong stand. It cannot happen that Hindus will be assaulted in Bangladesh and in India BJP will only market this assault for political gains. It (BJP-led Centre) should act immediately," Ghosh added.
Earlier on Sunday, Ghosh joined a protest rally organised by Nagendra Mission and Bengali Citizens Forum in Kolkata against the atrocities committed upon minorities in Bangladesh.
Asked about statements being attributed to Bangladeshi ex-military officials of "capturing Kolkata in four days", Ghosh said, "These are nothing but provocateurs. They are trying to derail all attempts to maintain a peaceful environment. These people who made the remarks probably think capturing Kolkata is like having a lunch at Kasturi or Prince (New Market restaurants known for their Bangladeshi cuisine). How can they forget that without India and PM Indira Gandhi, Bangladesh would have never got its independence?"