Bangladesh slams Gabbard’s remarks on minority persecution
The Hindu
Chief adviser's office refutes Tulsi Gabbard's claims of religious persecution in Bangladesh, emphasizing peace and progress.
The interim government 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 comments were “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 office said on a verified Facebook post at around midnight Monday (March 17, 2025).
It said Ms. Gabbard’s statement 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 said the “longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern for the U.S. government 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 threat of Islamic terrorists" in the country was "rooted" in the "ideology and objective" 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 office said groundlessly linking Bangladesh to the idea of an "Islamist caliphate" undermined the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who were committed to peace, stability, and progress.
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