Dhaka shocked at BJP chief's comments

The Indian deputy high commissioner in Dhaka was summoned to the foreign ministry yesterday afternoon to convey Bangladesh's strong protest and condemnation against the comments.

On August 12, BJP President Rajnath Singh made the remark in Goa.

He also said Bangladesh and some other neighbouring countries have virtually developed into a 'terrorist hub,' causing grave danger to the security of India.

"Bangladesh government is appalled at such outrageous comments and found them completely uncalled for and highly irresponsible as they came from the president of a leading political party in India," the spokesman said.

He dismissed the accusations made against Bangladesh by the BJP chief as "baseless, fabricated and intended evidently to foment anti-Bangladesh sentiments in India."

The comments made by the BJP leader were deeply disturbing and worked against the cause of friendly relations existing between the two neighbours, the spokesman noted.

The spokesman recalled that Rajanath Singh had made similar comments in Assam on July 20 this year.

He said the government strongly condemned his remarks and hoped that the Indian government would do everything possible to prevent such "provocative comments."

The government of Bangladesh also hopes that all concerned would refrain from such "outlandish and shocking suggestion," the spokesman added.