India's foreign ministry statement part of bigger masterplan: Rizvi
Alleging there were many schemes being hatched across the country, he said, “Has there been any disturbance in this year’s Durga Puja? None whatsoever."
The Indian foreign ministry's recent statement urging security for minorities in Bangladesh is part of a bigger conspiracy, BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said today (16 October).
Alleging there were many schemes being hatched across the country, he said, "Has there been any disturbance in this year's Durga Puja? None whatsoever. The leaders and activists of BNP and its affiliated organisations have guarded various puja mandaps here. Even the maulanas of our country have guarded the puja mandaps."
Speaking at a dengue awareness programme in the capital, he rubbished statements about minorities being tortured and left without security in Bangladesh.
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Highlighting the statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs on security doubts of minorities, he said it was part of a masterplan.
"Did even a single leaf fell from any tree in any temple or puja mandap in Bangladesh? And yet you sit in Delhi and talk about the security of minorities."
He said incidents of thefts had also happened in West Bengal, but India never issued a statement then.
"Your aim is to keep Bangladesh's independence at your feet, as you had done through Sheikh Hasina," he said.
Warning the interim government, he said, "Be careful. Terrible, terrible conspiracy will be hatched. Sheikh Hasina is not sitting idle…Such a murderous woman has been sheltered by the neighbouring country."
Rizvi also said there were more "small snakes" who were still running syndicates in the country.
"Their syndicates must be broken and they must be arrested," he said.
On 12 October, the government of India called upon the Bangladeshi government to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities and their places of worship, especially during this auspicious festival time.
"We have noted with serious concern the attack on a Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and the theft at the revered Jeshoreshwari Kali temple at Satkhira," said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs.
These are deplorable events, said the Indian Ministry of External Affairs in a statement on attacks on Puja Mandaps, desecration and damage to Hindu temples in Bangladesh.
