Did Jamaat-e-Islami Hold a Secret Meeting With Indian Officials?

New Delhi: There was a stir in the politics of Bangladesh when some media reports claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Shafiqur Rahman had held an alleged secret meeting with Indian officials. As soon as this news came to light, the discussion on this issue intensified from social media to political circles.

Where did this claim come from?

In fact, in some international reports and online posts, it was said that a senior Indian diplomat met the Jamaat-e-Islami chief in Dhaka. It was termed as a “secret meeting,” which raised many questions, especially at a time when the political environment of Bangladesh is already sensitive.

What did Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rehman say?

Responding to these claims, Shafiqur Rahman clearly said that no secret meeting of any kind took place. He said that this meeting took place at his residence after his treatment, where two diplomats of India had come to meet him. According to him, it was a general courtesy call and not any hidden political conversation.

Was the meeting deliberately hidden?

Shafiqur Rahman says that initially there was an idea to make this meeting public, but the Indian side expressed its desire not to publicize it formally. For this reason it was not shared in the media. He stressed that there was nothing in the meeting that could be called confidential.

Why is Jamaat chief angry over media reports?

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief raised questions on some local and international media organizations and said that words like “secret meeting” were used without complete information. He says that such reporting spreads confusion and creates unnecessary political controversies.

Did diplomats from other countries also meet him?

Shafiqur Rahman also said that during that time not only Indian officials but also diplomats from many other countries had come to meet him. Describing it as a normal diplomatic process, he said that communication with neighboring countries and international representatives is not unusual.

What was the response from the Indian government?

Till now no official statement has come from the Government of India on this entire matter. Neither the meeting has been confirmed nor has any detailed response been given to these claims.

What is the truth after all?

Jamaat-e-Islami clearly says that the meeting was presented in a wrong manner. According to the party chief, it was a routine meeting which was unnecessarily transformed into a “secret meeting”. At present, this matter remains a topic of discussion regarding political rhetoric and media reporting.