Dhaka is reeling from a fresh diplomatic rift. Md Rashed Khan, special assistant to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, posted on Facebook Tuesday that Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Secretary General Mia Golam Parwar met secretly with a senior Indian intelligence official. The timing is deliberate. It came days after Rahman warned of external attempts to destabilize the country.
Rashed did not hold back. He questioned why critics of India would engage in such clandestine talks, distinguishing sharply between diplomatic contact and intelligence dealings. “If Golam Parwar believes in ethical politics, I hope he will clarify the matter,” Rashed wrote. He hinted at a broader plot, suggesting JeI might launch a movement alongside the Awami League.
The opposition party snapped back immediately. JeI rejected the allegation as baseless, questioning the "mental and political well-being" of those spreading the story. The party stated it operates within constitutional bounds and maintains standard diplomatic relations. They challenged the government to present proof rather than rely on social media accusations.
This exchange highlights the fragile trust in Bangladesh's political landscape. With elections looming and tensions high, such public accusations risk escalating into a broader crisis. The government’s next move will determine if this remains a political skirmish or deepens into a diplomatic standoff with New Delhi.