Expressing concerns over vandalism of idols and security of Hindu community in Bangladesh, India has said the incidents of this kind "are not right and they are not good."
"The message of Durga Puja is one of happiness and on such occasion, we would like to extend our best wishes to all those celebrating Durga Puja, not only here but in other countries, in every corner of the world," said Spokesperson at the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Randhir Jaiswal.
Responding to a question at a weekly briefing on Friday evening, he said they hope this festival brings prosperity and happiness in everyone's life.
"That is our wish, and we wish this for all. I would also like to say that when we talk about ensuring the security of minorities, it inherently includes our concerns regarding Durga Puja and Dussehra as well," Jaiswal said.
When it comes to minorities, he said, they have said multiple times, even at high levels from their side that the minorities in Bangladesh should be protected.
"And we expect that the government there (in Bangladesh) will provide security to the people of the minority community and fulfill their needs," said the Spokesperson.
The interim government has issued a set of instructions for the local administration and law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order situation during the Durga Puja celebrations across the country.
The Home Ministry on Wednesday said advance preparations should be made to prevent any untoward incident.
A monitoring committee will be formed, including the dignitaries and students from different levels of the society, to ensure the security of the puja mandap along with the Hindus.
District administrators at the district level and upazila officers at the upazila level will form such committees.
Police, RAB and Ansar, and VDP will be deployed with increased vigilance to control the law-and-order situation during the celebrations.
Members of the armed forces deployed in the field to maintain law and order will also provide necessary assistance.
Internal Matter
Responding to a question on Bangladesh's decision to recall its six envoys, the MEA Spokesperson said in any country, whether it is India or any other country and when it comes to Ambassadors, they also send Ambassadors abroad.
"It's up to the government to decide. Similarly, it's up to the Bangladesh government, whom they appoint as their Ambassador or High Commissioner. That's their internal matter," Jaiswal said, adding that they have also seen some reports that Bangladesh has transferred or recalled some of their ambassadors, and this is their internal matter.
Bangladesh on Thursday said the six Bangladesh envoys stationed in New Delhi, London, Brussels, Canberra, Lisbon and Bangladesh Permanent Mission to the UN in New York to return to Dhaka, who have been asked to return home immediately, are actually going on retirement in December this year.
“They have been recalled as part of their retirement process,” Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told reporters at a media briefing at the Foreign Service Academy.
Azad said the six envoys are scheduled to go on retirement in 6 they will go on Post Retirement Leave (PRL).
Regional Cooperation
While replying to a question on regional organisations, the MEA Spokesperson said they attach deep importance to regional cooperation and regional connectivity.
"Therefore, we have given impetus to BIMSTEC," he said.
"On SAARC, as you know, we want to strengthen regional cooperation, but you are well aware of the reason as to why this particular cooperation in that format is not moving forward," Jaiswal said.
Without mentioning the country name, he said a particular country has a particular way of doing things, which is stalling SAARC.
"But as far as regional cooperation is concerned, we attach deep importance to it. You would have seen our approach in it through BIMSTEC and other platforms that we have," Jaiswal said.
During the recent United Nations General Assembly, Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus called for the revival of SAARC as a top platform for regional cooperation in South Asia.
"Reviving SAARC could be a good way to start it and seek Pakistan’s support," he said when he met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the sidelines of the UNGA at the UN headquarters in New York last month.
