DHAKA, Feb 6, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh today lodged a formal protest with India over ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s activities during her stay in India, which Dhaka considers provocative.

“We asked (summon) Indian deputy High Commissioner, as the high commissioner was not here, and handed over him our protest note,” Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain told reporters at a briefing at the foreign ministry here. 

“Dhaka had previously urged New Delhi to prevent Hasina from engaging in such activities, but we did not receive any response,” he said.

Hossain said that the foreign ministry today once again conveyed its objections through the Indian acting envoy Pawan Badhe. 

Responding to a question, the foreign affairs adviser described Hasina’s recent statements as highly aggressive, suggesting that they could have offended the sentiments of the younger generation.

“We will observe what actions India takes,” Hossain said, emphasizing that Bangladesh continues to urge India to ensure that Hasina refrains from such activities.

Meanwhile in a statement, Bangladesh foreign ministry said, the false and fabricated comments and statements continuously being made in different platforms including social media, by the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, are instigating instability in Bangladesh.

“Through the protest note, handed over to the Acting High Commissioner of India in Dhaka, the Ministry conveyed the deep concern, disappointment and serious reservation of the Government of Bangladesh, as such statements are hurting the sentiments of the people in Bangladesh,” read the statement.  

The Ministry also emphasized that such activities of Hasina are considered as a hostile act towards Bangladesh and are not conducive to the efforts to establish a healthy relation between the two countries.

It said the Bangladesh foreign ministry requested the Indian government to take appropriate measures immediately, in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding to ‘stop her (Hasina) from making such false, fabricated and incendiary statements’ using social media and other communications while she is in India.
 
During the today’s briefing, when asked about reviewing the previous agreements signed with India, foreign adviser commented that the deal with Adani was not in Bangladesh’s best interest.

Regarding India’s stance on Hasina’s activities, he said, India claimed they are not providing her with a platform to give speech online. 

In response to international media coverage, foreign adviser Hossain remarked, “We anticipate negative reactions, including concerns over the destruction at Dhanmondi 32. But, we consider this as an expression of public anger.”

The adviser assured that the government would take measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents.