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Don't club us with Pakistan, Afghanistan, says Bangladesh PM's media adviser on CAB
To a question on leaving one community out, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said that it goes against the "secular" credentials of India.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/sto...ak-afghanistan-modi-hasina-1628304-2019-12-14
Geeta Mohan
New Delhi
December 14, 2019
UPDATED: December 14, 2019 17:57 IST
If any domestic issue can create concerns in Bangladesh then we have reasons to be apprehensive: Bangladesh PM's media adviser | File photo from ANI
India and Bangladesh have held talks vigorously over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the past.
While Dhaka has been "assured" that CAA will not impact Bangladesh there are reasons to be "apprehensive" about the new Act, a top Bangladeshi official said.
Speaking exclusively to India Today from Dhaka, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, media adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said on Saturday, "When the [Citizenship Amendment] Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, our ministers, including the foreign minister, categorically said that it is a domestic issue of India. They said that Prime Minister Modi assured our prime minister, and the home minister of India assured our home minister that there is no reason to feel concerned... India is not only our friend now but is a friend of all times. If any domestic issue can create concerns in Bangladesh then we have reasons to be apprehensive."
Reminding the two countries of the basis of the historic ties they share, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said, "India and Bangladesh share a very cordial relationship and it stems from Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Your soldiers laid their lives to wrest our freedom. This was unique. It is history."
Rejecting the idea of being bracketed with Pakistan and Afghanistan, the adviser to PM Sheikh Hasina said, "Do not club us with Pakistan and Afghanistan who are known for fundamentalism and terrorism. Sheikh Hasina, our prime minister, has always said that our soil will not be allowed to be used against India."
Calling it a "domestic issue" of India, he said that this new legislation should not lead to confusion.
"It is a domestic issue of India. From Bangladesh's point of view I would say if there is any chance of creating confusion or concern to Bangladesh then we have reasons to be concerned," Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said.
According to the legislation, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, till December 31, 2014 facing religious persecution in there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.
To a question on leaving one community out, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said that it goes against the "secular" credentials of India
"I will not comment in any way on the judgement of those who have made the law. But here is a concern not only in India but outside also that Indian is known for its secular image and has stood for it. When you exclude a certain community in the name of religion then it goes against your own secular credentials and your constitution that stands for equality of all religious beliefs," Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said.
Home Minister of India Amit Shah had indeed lauded the efforts of Bangladesh government for its efforts to strive for an inclusive country. Rejecting the idea that his country is "communal" Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury explained that under the Hasina government migration has taken place but it has more to do with economic reasons rather than persecution.
"We will not deny about migration of minorities to India. Migration is for many reasons. One is for persecution and the other is for better future. No minority migrated because of persecution. If you attribute this to us then it is not based on facts. Communal harmony is one of the historic tradition of Bangladesh. Even when some regimes wanted to be communal, the people, even Muslim majority, resisted it. Non-communalism is a basic spirit of the Bengali people, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, or anyone," Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said.
While the two sides remain engaged, the two prime ministers -- Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina -- who share a very "cordial relationship" are yet to discuss this.
"They will take it up when they think it is necessary. Prime Minister Modi and his government have categorically said that Bangladesh will not be affected by this Act. We consider India a friend and so we consider that this assurance will stand," the adviser, who is confident that the strong ties between New Delhi and Dhaka will remain unaffected, said.
To a question on leaving one community out, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said that it goes against the "secular" credentials of India.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india/sto...ak-afghanistan-modi-hasina-1628304-2019-12-14
Geeta Mohan
New Delhi
December 14, 2019
UPDATED: December 14, 2019 17:57 IST
If any domestic issue can create concerns in Bangladesh then we have reasons to be apprehensive: Bangladesh PM's media adviser | File photo from ANI
India and Bangladesh have held talks vigorously over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the past.
While Dhaka has been "assured" that CAA will not impact Bangladesh there are reasons to be "apprehensive" about the new Act, a top Bangladeshi official said.
Speaking exclusively to India Today from Dhaka, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, media adviser to Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said on Saturday, "When the [Citizenship Amendment] Bill was passed in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, our ministers, including the foreign minister, categorically said that it is a domestic issue of India. They said that Prime Minister Modi assured our prime minister, and the home minister of India assured our home minister that there is no reason to feel concerned... India is not only our friend now but is a friend of all times. If any domestic issue can create concerns in Bangladesh then we have reasons to be apprehensive."
Reminding the two countries of the basis of the historic ties they share, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said, "India and Bangladesh share a very cordial relationship and it stems from Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971. Your soldiers laid their lives to wrest our freedom. This was unique. It is history."
Rejecting the idea of being bracketed with Pakistan and Afghanistan, the adviser to PM Sheikh Hasina said, "Do not club us with Pakistan and Afghanistan who are known for fundamentalism and terrorism. Sheikh Hasina, our prime minister, has always said that our soil will not be allowed to be used against India."
Calling it a "domestic issue" of India, he said that this new legislation should not lead to confusion.
"It is a domestic issue of India. From Bangladesh's point of view I would say if there is any chance of creating confusion or concern to Bangladesh then we have reasons to be concerned," Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said.
According to the legislation, members of Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi and Christian communities, who have come from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan, till December 31, 2014 facing religious persecution in there, will not be treated as illegal immigrants but given Indian citizenship.
To a question on leaving one community out, Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said that it goes against the "secular" credentials of India
"I will not comment in any way on the judgement of those who have made the law. But here is a concern not only in India but outside also that Indian is known for its secular image and has stood for it. When you exclude a certain community in the name of religion then it goes against your own secular credentials and your constitution that stands for equality of all religious beliefs," Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said.
Home Minister of India Amit Shah had indeed lauded the efforts of Bangladesh government for its efforts to strive for an inclusive country. Rejecting the idea that his country is "communal" Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury explained that under the Hasina government migration has taken place but it has more to do with economic reasons rather than persecution.
"We will not deny about migration of minorities to India. Migration is for many reasons. One is for persecution and the other is for better future. No minority migrated because of persecution. If you attribute this to us then it is not based on facts. Communal harmony is one of the historic tradition of Bangladesh. Even when some regimes wanted to be communal, the people, even Muslim majority, resisted it. Non-communalism is a basic spirit of the Bengali people, Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, or anyone," Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury said.
While the two sides remain engaged, the two prime ministers -- Narendra Modi and Sheikh Hasina -- who share a very "cordial relationship" are yet to discuss this.
"They will take it up when they think it is necessary. Prime Minister Modi and his government have categorically said that Bangladesh will not be affected by this Act. We consider India a friend and so we consider that this assurance will stand," the adviser, who is confident that the strong ties between New Delhi and Dhaka will remain unaffected, said.
