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Rabi Banerjee
Rabi Banerjee

INTERVIEW

We will not accept the Indian theory

24-Hasanul-Huq-Inu Hasanul Huq Inu

Interview/ Hasanul Huq Inu, information minister, Bangladesh

The Assam government is identifying illegal Bangladeshis settlers in Assam.

Yes, we know that. But we have no clue why the Indian or Assam government is doing that. We have no information or report on mass influx into India through Bangladesh-Assam border.

Why do you say that?

We speak on the basis of reports and facts. In the 1971 war around one crore Bangladeshis took shelter in India. Indira Gandhi gave us shelter in India. We are grateful to her for doing that. But, after independence and we came to power, the Bangladesh government got all of them back. Also, two decades ago, there was infiltration from Chittagong to Tripura because of some social unrest there. But 15 years ago, when the Sheikh Hasina government came to power, we took all of them back.

But the Assam government said that there was a huge influx from Bangladesh into India since 1971.

Such a claim has no backing of facts and figures.

Has not there been any infiltration from Bangladesh to Assam?

Not after the 1971 war. It could have happened during the British time or shortly after India’s independence. But that cannot be termed as infiltration. That happened due to historical reasons. Such things happened in West Bengal as well.

Has there been any discussion between your government and the Indian government?

No, we have had no discussion. We have been informed unofficially about this as we have relations with all state governments of India that have border with Bangladesh. During one of those interactions such things came up.

What would be your stand if the Indian government officially informs you to take these people back?

We would not accept the theory. We will tell the Indian government about the truth. Without proper judgment if the Indian or Assam government wants to send this huge chunk of people to Bangladesh, then I feel that they are doing great injustice and disservice to their own people.

You have absorbed Rohingyas from Myanmar.

In case of Rohingyas, it is temporary. They are religiously persecuted. We are giving them shelter and relief. But they are not our people.

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