BBC Hindi aired an interview on Thursday (November 14) with Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Interim Government Nahid Islam. Nahid spoke about the situation of minorities, their security and India-Bangladesh relations in the interview broadcast in Hindi. Let's find out what questions were asked in the interview and what the information advisor answered.
Question: India has been repeatedly talking about the protection of minorities in Bangladesh. How do you see the matter?
Nahid Islam: The minorities here are our citizens. It is our responsibility to protect them. India does not need to say anything about this. Rather, India should talk about the genocide that took place last July-August. Even, the question can now be asked as to what kind of help India can provide to Bangladesh's current challenges. This needs to be talked about.
I would also like to say that the Indian media is spreading wrong news about our government. India should draw a line on this. We want the discussion to be based on information and also to discuss the issue of relationship development.
Q: You said, what do you mean by clarifying India's position on what happened here in July-August?
Nahid Islam: India has not yet made it clear how India views the genocide committed by Awami League in July-August. Several countries have expressed their support for the people of Bangladesh. But India did not say anything about it. On the contrary, India has given shelter to whoever is responsible for this incident.
Question: Does that mean India is avoiding the killings in Bangladesh?
Nahid Islam: If India sympathizes with a person who has lost his relative, the people of Bangladesh will take the issue positively. I want India to help us to take legal action against those who have committed genocide.
Q: During the August violence, India asked all parties to exercise restraint. Many minority organizations have said that there has been a lot of violence against minorities in the last three months. We also visited different places in Bangladesh and got proof of it. They say that they cannot trust the administration. Do you know the subject? If you know, how are you watching?
Nahid Islam: Everything that happened here is under our watch. We know about the human suffering. But it should also be remembered that if timely action was not taken, the situation would have worsened.
Think of Durga Puja. It was said that there would be more violence. We deployed sufficient number of law enforcement personnel, the puja was conducted peacefully. Our government has spoken to the minorities and assured them. They are also convinced of this.
Question: Minority says, not enough measures have been taken.
Nahid Islam: I would say, no other government has worked so closely with the minorities as we have done in the last three months. Previous governments have only taken political advantage in this matter. Minority's confidence in them was lost. We need to fix this. We are trying, but they have some issues, which cannot be resolved immediately. We have to give time for that.
Question: After the departure of the Awami League government, the activities of some radical and fundamentalist organizations may increase. Due to this, not only Bangladesh, but India's security may also be a problem.
Nahid Islam: People of Bangladesh never support any violence or extremist organization. People of Bangladesh want democratic government. What you are saying is a lie propagated by Awami League. They used to say that if Awami League is not in power, the activity of extremist organizations will increase. By saying these things, they have ruled Bangladesh for so many years. India also supports this narrative.
The question is, whether the Awami League is in the government in Bangladesh or not, why will it affect the relationship with India? This means that India has not created a relationship with the people of this country, but with the Awami League. This question would not have arisen if there was a relationship with the people of Bangladesh. Like we don't see who is in power in India BJP or Congress. Similarly, this should be the case here too – there should not be a question whether Awami League is in power or not.
Question: The Indian government says that if the road, sea or rail communication projects between India and Bangladesh are completed, who will benefit from them, the Awami League or the people of Bangladesh?
Nahid Islam: I will only say that things should not be seen from Awami League's point of view. If we two countries support each other, it is possible to work for the welfare of both. We have not cut ties with any country. I have not stopped any project. Everything is going on as before.
Question: There is talk that Bangladesh is reviewing investments with India. Is that review still ongoing, or has it ended? Do you think the two countries can now start a new discussion?
Nahid Islam: Yes, we are surveying projects. However, not only India, but every project with all countries is under investigation. We are trying to see if there is any corruption in these projects or if there is anything in the projects that is not good for Bangladesh.
SAH
