West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s offer to “give shelter” to “helpless people” from Bangladesh amid last week’s violent protest has raised strong objections from the Sheikh Hasina-led government.
Banerjee, on July 21, during an address said that her government would provide assistance to whoever “comes knocking at our doors” and provide shelter to people coming to India from the turmoil-hit country.
“I cannot speak anything about Bangladesh as it is another country. The Indian government will speak about that. But if helpless people (from Bangladesh) knock on Bengal’s door, we will give them shelter. There is a resolution of the UN. Neighbours will respect refugees,” she said on the occasion of Martyr’s Day.
Later in a post on X, the Trinamool Congress supremo reiterated her government’s support for students who returned to West Bengal.
She said, “Hundreds of students and others are returning to West Bengal/ India, from the trouble-torn Bangladesh. I have asked our State administration to render all help and assistance to the returnees.”
What has B’desh said?
The Bangladeshi government on Tuesday registered objections to Banerjee’s comment on the situation in the country with the High Commission of India.
It said that the chief minister’s tweet “was provocative and had false elements concerning the internal affairs of Bangladesh.”
Such comments by Mamata are misleading especially at a time when the government is trying to restore peace in the country, the administration noted.
Bangladesh stated that making comments like assurances of providing refuge to people could potentially encourage many individuals, particularly terrorists and troublemakers, to exploit such announcements.
Governor seeks report on Mamata’s comment
Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose called upon Mamata Banerjee for a report over her comment offering “shelter” to helpless people of violence-hit Bangladesh, the Raj Bhavan said on Monday.
In a post on X, the Raj Bhavan Media Cell said it is the Centre’s prerogative to handle anything that is part of external affairs.
With inputs from agencies
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Bangladesh strongly objects to Mamata Banerjee’s ‘shelter’ remark: ‘Terrorists may take advantage’
