Amit Shah's remarks on Bangladesh migrants deplorable: Dhaka

DHAKA: Bangladesh has called upon India's govt to advise political netas to refrain from making "objectionable and unacceptable" remarks about Bangladeshis. Dhaka has lodged a strong protest against the "highly deplorable" remarks reportedly made by Union home minister Amit Shah about Bangladeshi nationals during his recent visit to Jharkhand.
Bangladesh interim govt's ministry of foreign affairs handed over a protest note Monday to the Indian deputy high commissioner in Dhaka.Through the note, Dhaka conveyed its "serious reservation, deep sense of hurt and extreme displeasure". The ministry emphasised that such remarks, coming from responsible positions, against nationals of a neighbouring country, undermine the spirit of mutual respect and understanding between two friendly countries.

Shah had accused the JMM-led coalition govt in Jharkhand on Friday of encouraging illegal infiltration for its "vote bank politics" and cautioned that if not checked, such immigrants would become a majority in the state in the next 25-30 years. "There is no place for infiltrators in the state. They are marrying our daughters, grabbing land and destroying rich tribal culture and heritage... we will drive each one of them out... Let the lotus bloom here," Shah had said at a rally in Bokaro.

He claimed the tribal population in Santhal Pargana division had decreased from 44% to 28% due to infiltration. He also mentioned scams during the current administration, including the Rs 1,000 crore mining scam in Sahibganj district, Army land scam and paper leak scam. "BJP govt would hang those elements involved in leaking question papers of recruitment examination upside down," he had said.