The interim government of Bangladesh has strongly condemned attempts by India to link Bangladesh to the recent communal violence in Murshidabad, West Bengal. In a statement on Thursday, Principal Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqur Alam conveyed the government’s position to national news agency BSS, emphasizing that Bangladesh firmly rejects any effort to implicate it in the incident. The government also expressed concern over attacks on Muslims and urged Indian authorities, including both the central and West Bengal governments, to ensure full protection of the minority Muslim community.

The violence erupted on April 11 in Murshidabad’s Jangipur area during protests demanding the repeal of the amended Waqf Act. Clashes turned violent, resulting in three deaths and over 150 arrests. According to Indian media reports, the unrest included stone-pelting at police, arson of police vehicles, and widespread vandalism across several areas. Some outlets claimed “Bangladeshi elements” were involved, a claim Bangladesh has categorically dismissed.

BBC Bangla reported that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged the involvement of “Bangladeshi miscreants” in the unrest. She also blamed India’s Border Security Force (BSF) and the ruling BJP for fueling the violence. Addressing a pre-scheduled meeting with imams and muezzins in Kolkata, Mamata described the incident as a “pre-planned riot” and delivered much of her speech in Hindi, seemingly addressing non-Bengali-speaking Muslims as her primary audience.