Hasan Mahmud, Bangladesh's Minister of Information, claims that CAA is an internal concern for India

hasan mahmud, bangladesh's minister of information, stated on tuesday that the citizenship amendment act (caa), which was created to grant indian nationality to minorities from bangladesh, pakistan, and afghanistan, is a "internal matter" of india and emphasised the existence of fanatical groups in both bangladesh and india that aim to "undermine social harmony."

the veteran leader of the awami league, mr. mahmud, responded to questions from journalists at the press club of india (pci) by repeating prime minister sheikh hasina's remarks regarding the hindu minorities in bangladesh and stating that the adherents of the hindu faith in bangladesh should not be regarded as a minority community as they are a part of the country's majority. 

In answer to a query from The Hindu, Mr. Mahmud stated, "CAA is your internal business and with the fact that an appeal has been lodged in the Supreme Court, it has also become a legal issue." He declined to dive further into the question because the Supreme Court is already hearing the case.

The criticism on the CAA represents Bangladesh's consistent stance on the legislation, which was passed in 2019 but has not yet been put into effect because the CAA's rules have not been established. 

After the Central government submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court on Sunday, claiming that the CAA is intended to grant "amnesty to particular populations" from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, the topic once again made headlines. When asked if naming Bangladesh in an affidavit constituted to involving the neighbouring nation in India's political and legal disputes, the Minister did not comment. 

Mr. Mahmud vehemently defended Dhaka's record on minority rights and asserted that Hindu holidays are freely observed in his nation. Our constitution states that everyone is entitled to equal rights. However, there are some fanatical organisations that work to foment fanaticism and to undermine religious harmony in both India and Bangladesh. We have seen the joyous way that Durga Puja was celebrated in Bangladesh this year thanks to the severe actions our administration has taken against such miscreants in recent years," added Mr. Mahmud. Adding, "This was because the Government of Bangladesh has assured security and safety of the people who follow the Hindu religion," he claimed that 700 more Durga puja pandals were built in 2022 than in 2021. During the Durga puja celebrations in Bangladesh in 2021, crowds attacked puja pandals in Brahmanbaria, Comilla, Rangpur, and certain areas of Chittagong.

However, this year, in accordance with an agreement with the civil society organisations, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan attended preparation meetings with the Durga Puja committees in Dhaka and provided security to all the puja pandals. Mr. Mahmud commended India for its involvement in the war of 1971 and recognised that India had helped Bangladesh during the COVID-19 crisis.

The commodities crisis that has accompanied the military conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the speaker claimed, has had an impact on Bangladesh. He added, "Our Prime Minister has said on many occasions that the war should be stopped and that there should be no sanctions as sanctions do not help anyone. The global economy is choked. as we have collaborated over the past 51 years. As the globe faces new problems, we need to deepen our relationships. Disputed, Mr. Mahmud He also commended India for inviting Bangladesh to be a "guest country" at the 2023 G20 meeting.