Minority Watch, Dhaka— Bangladesh’s Home Affairs Adviser, retired Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, has rejected claims of minority persecution in the country, dismissing them as “Indian media propaganda.”
In a meeting with U.S. chargé d’affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson on Tuesday (January 21, 2025), Chowdhury responded to inquiries about the treatment of minority communities, stating, “No minority is being persecuted in Bangladesh.”
He emphasized that the rare incidents involving minorities since August 5, 2024, were politically motivated, not religiously driven. Chowdhury also noted that Bangladesh prefers not to use the term “minority,” as all citizens are equal under the law.
The meeting, held at the Ministry of Home Affairs, also focused on a variety of other issues, including security cooperation, counter-terrorism, and the ongoing Rohingya refugee crisis.
Chowdhury called on the United States to offer refuge to more Rohingya refugees, commending the U.S. for its leadership in providing humanitarian assistance. Jacobson responded that the U.S. has resettled about 17,000 Rohingyas and remains the largest donor for their rehabilitation efforts.
The two officials also discussed bilateral relations, including the situation at the Bangladesh-India border. Chowdhury reported that the border situation remains largely normal, with a meeting scheduled next month between Bangladesh’s Border Guard (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in New Delhi.
Additionally, the meeting touched on the strengthening of law enforcement in Bangladesh, with Chowdhury requesting further training for police, the BGB, and the Coast Guard, particularly in combating human trafficking.
Jacobson highlighted the U.S.’s growing support, including increased law enforcement training and a 30% rise in Bangladeshi students pursuing higher education in the U.S.
The meeting underscored the strong ongoing partnership between Bangladesh and the United States, with both sides reaffirming their commitment to cooperation in multiple sectors.