Bangladesh reacted sharply on Tuesday to the Ministry of External Affairs' statement over the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, calling it "unfounded" and contradictory to the spirit of friendship between the two countries.
Dhaka in its statement said it doesn't interfere with the country's judiciary which is completely independent.
Bangladesh police arrested on Monday Das, leader of the Hindu group Sammilita Sanatani Jote, from the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport area in Dhaka.
Bangladesh said that "such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighbouring countries".
Hours ago, the MEA had said it has taken "deep concern the arrest and denial of bail" to Das who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.
"This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh," it said.
Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the MEA statement does not reflect the harmony that exists among the peoples of all faiths in the country.
Dhaka said the MEA statement "completely disregards that the Bangladesh government is determined to end the culture of impunity to the perpetrators of gross human rights violations against the people of the country".
"Bangladesh reiterates in the strongest terms that every Bangladeshi, irrespective of his or her religious identity, has the right to institute, continue or perform respective religious rituals and practices or articulate thoughts without impediment.
"Ensuring safety and security of all citizens, particularly the members of religious minorities remains a duty of the Government of Bangladesh," it said.
It added that Bangladesh is also committed to maintaining communal harmony in the country.
The statement further added that the Bangladesh government is also deeply concerned over the brutal killing of advocate Saiful Islam Alif this afternoon in Chattogram.
Authorities have heightened security in the port city so that religious harmony is maintained at any cost, it added.
Assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam was killed on Tuesday during clashes between security personnel and followers of the Hindu community leader, who was denied bail and sent to jail by a court in the port city of Chattogram.
Read also| Bangladesh Court Denies Bail to Hindu Priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, Orders Jail Custody
