Bangladesh's Yunus government criticises Tulsi Gabbard's remarks: 'Painting entire nation with unjustified brush'

Muhammad Yunus

The interim government of Bangladesh led by Muhammad Yunus has expressed “deep concern" over the remarks of Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence for the US, on Bangladesh.

In an interview with NDTV, Gabbard said the "longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern" for the Donald Trump administration.

The Yunus government said Bangladesh “strongly condemns any efforts to link the country to any form of Islamist caliphate”. “Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially about the most sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, to fan fears and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions,” Yunus’s office said in a post on Facebook.

According to the Yunus government, Gabbard's remarks are "misleading and damaging” to the image and reputation of Bangladesh. “Gabbard’s comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush,” stated the Bangladesh government.

The interim government also attacked Gabbard for linking Bangladesh to “Islamist caliphate”. According to the Yunus government, linking Bangladesh to the idea of an "Islamist caliphate" undermined the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their friends and partners around the world who were committed to peace, stability, and progress”. “Gabbard’s comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations. They paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush,” it said.

Bangladesh also said political leaders should base their statements on actual knowledge. “Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially about the most sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, to fan fears and potentially even stoke sectarian tensions,” read the Yunus government statement.

Gabbard came to India on Sunday for a three-day visit to attend a conclave of security and intelligence officials and participate in the Raisina Dialogue. She was the first senior member of the second Trump administration who travelled to India.