New Delhi: Senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has given a statement on the Bangladesh dispute and Sheikh Hasina. Regarding Sheikh Hasina, Mani Shankar Aiyar said that India has followed its cultural tradition by giving shelter to former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, but we should not spoil our relations with the new government of Bangladesh for her sake. Mani Shankar Aiyar said, ‘I am happy that Hindustan has welcomed her, and has also indicated that as long as she herself decides where she wants to settle, she is welcome in India.’
Talking to IANS, Mani Shankar Aiyar said that among the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina has been the best for our country. He said, ‘Her thinking is completely secular. She has done a lot for the protection of minority Hindus in her country, for their progress, for including them in the larger society, which is praiseworthy.’ The Congress leader said, ‘But the new government that is coming in Bangladesh, we should accept that it is Bangladesh’s right to decide who will run the government. And it is our duty to maintain good relations with whoever comes. It should not happen that for the sake of Hasina, we spoil our relations with Bangladesh.’
He said that Sheikh Hasina has been a very close friend of India, and today India has given her shelter in her difficult times. India has always given shelter. He said, ‘It is in our heritage that when our friends get into trouble, they should be confident that they will get shelter here in India.’ It is noteworthy that the student protest that started against reservation in jobs in Bangladesh has taken a violent turn. The student protest turned violent. The situation became such that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had to resign and leave the country on Monday. She is currently in India. The President has dissolved the Parliament. The interim government is to be sworn in on Thursday night under the leadership of Nobel Prize winning economist Mohammad Yunus.
Mani Shankar Aiyar said that there are reports that Pakistan and America may have been behind the events in Bangladesh, but there is no concrete evidence so far. Regarding talks with Pakistan, India’s other neighbouring country, he said that talks with it are necessary for the minorities of our country. The world should feel that the country which wants to become Vishwa Guru is trying to solve the issues by talking to its enemies in its own neighbourhood.
Bangladesh, Mani Shankar Aiyar, sheikh hasina
FIRST PUBLISHED : August 8, 2024, 09:52 IST
