India has expressed concern over the interim government’s decision to ban political activities of the Awami League and its affiliated groups, calling the move a deviation from democratic principles.
In a weekly press briefing in New Delhi on Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “As a democracy, we are naturally concerned when democratic freedoms are curtailed in a neighboring country.” He emphasized that proper democratic procedures for banning a political party appear not to have been followed.
Jaiswal noted that while the MEA’s briefing resumed after a pause due to India-Pakistan tensions, the developments in Bangladesh drew regional attention. “India has consistently supported the democratic process in Bangladesh,” he said. “Outlawing a major political party without due process is troubling and narrows the political space.”
Reaffirming India’s position, Jaiswal concluded, “We hope to see a free, fair, and inclusive election in Bangladesh at the earliest.”
