Jamaat slams Shringla’s remarks as ‘unethical interference’

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami on Saturday condemned what it described as “unethical and unacceptable” remarks by Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a former Indian foreign secretary and current Rajya Sabha member, accusing him of interfering in Bangladesh’s internal political affairs and electoral process.

In a statement issued on January 25, Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar protested comments made by Shringla, also a former high commissioner of India to Bangladesh,  on Bangladesh’s domestic politics, the upcoming national elections and the Jamaat-e-Islami, saying such remarks violated international diplomatic norms and etiquette.

Parwar said, commenting on the internal political situation of a sovereign and independent country, its election process and a registered political party were inconsistent with diplomatic courtesy, particularly coming from a former diplomat and a sitting lawmaker. “Such statements are unacceptable,” he said.

He alleged that Shringla’s remarks about Jamaat-e-Islami were “intentional, misinformed and politically biased”, stressing that it is solely the right of a country’s citizens to decide whom they will vote for. “No foreign politician has the authority to determine how much public support a political party will receive,” the statement said, adding that the people of Bangladesh are the ultimate arbiters of their political future.

Parwar further said that by commenting on how elections in Bangladesh would be conducted or how many votes a party might secure, Shringla had sought to question the country’s democratic process and undermine diplomatic harmony and mutual respect between the two neighbours.

Describing Jamaat-e-Islami as a registered, democratic and ideology-based political party, Parwar said it had consistently advocated for rights, democracy, justice and good governance. He expressed confidence that the party would receive a fair verdict from the electorate if elections were free, fair and impartial.

The statement concluded by urging “responsible quarters” in India to refrain from making such comments and to uphold mutual respect and diplomatic courtesy without interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs.