Trinamool, BJP leaders hit out at Bangladesh; BSF nabs more trespassers in West Bengal

TMC and BJP leaders in West Bengal criticize Bangladesh for atrocities against minorities, escalating tensions between the two countries.

Leaders of the Trinamool Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in West Bengal took a dig at Bangladesh on Friday following reports of atrocities against religious minorities in the neighbouring country.

Tension between India and Bangladesh escalated following the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Dasby the Dhaka Metropolitan Police in a sedition case last month, which led to socio-political turmoil on both sides of the border.

BJP leader Dilip Ghosh told reporters on Friday that Bangladeshi forces do not match up to India and that political leaders in Bangladesh should think more deeply about the ongoing turmoil.

“The extremism should stop. Bangladeshi leaders should think harder and understand the situation better. India has more force,” Mr. Ghosh said. 

He said that Indian forces had captured Pakistani troops in big numbers in the preceding wars, which meant, he said, Bangladesh would not match up to the military strength of this nation.

“There is no fight between a lion and a dog,” Mr. Ghosh said. “Does Bangladesh have any military strength? They survive on what they get from India anyway.”

Meanwhile, Trinamool Congress leader and West Bengal Minister Firhad Hakim said that Bangladesh was formed with India’s assistance.