Did Bangladesh Gift Map Showing Indian Territory to Pakistan? Mohammad Yunus Responds

The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Mohammad Yunus, issued a clarification on Monday regarding reports claiming that Yunus had gifted a map to a Pakistani military officer showing India’s northeastern regions as part of Bangladesh. The government called these reports completely false, misleading, and fabricated.

Clarification on the Gifted Book

The official information read that Yunus had given General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, the chairman of Pakistan's Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, a book titled 'The Art of Triumph'. The statement clarified that the book was a compilation of visual art produced by students in Dhaka and other cities during the July movement rather than a political or geographical document. The book summarises Bangladesh’s civil movements, struggles, and the sacrifices of student martyrs through colourful artworks.

Claim About India’s Map Declared Baseless

The government further explained that the book’s cover features a red artistic map of Bangladesh behind the image of martyr Abu Sayeed. The Bangladesh government later on clarified that the map was drawn as graffiti, so minor differences in borders were natural. It is claimed that the map of India's Northeastern region as part of Bangladesh was completely unjustified.

The Chief Adviser's Office further noted that Yunus had previously gifted copies of "The Art of Triumph" to several world leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, former US president Joe Biden and former Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.

Official Comparison and Appeal to the Public

The statement added that when the map in the book was compared with Bangladesh’s official geographic map, no major differences were found. The government urged citizens not to believe false or misleading news, saying such rumours are being spread only to damage the country’s reputation.

The publication, a pictorial record of the uprising, captured the historic images of the revolution achieved through the sacrifices of students and citizens, the Chief Adviser's Office said, adding that it had been published by the July Shaheed Smrity Foundation.

Warning Against Spreading False Information

Authorities have assured that legal action will be taken against those who are responsible for spreading such misinformation. It is informed in the official notification that steps are taken to make peace and harmony in the country.