Bangladesh’s caretaker government, headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus, has given a thumbs-down to comments by American National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard the U.S. recently made about alleged persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh. The government, in a statement posted on the chief adviser’s verified Facebook page late Monday, described Gabbard’s comments as “misleading and detrimental to the image of Bangladesh.”
“These words characterize an entire country with a wide and unjust brush,” the statement said, claiming that the allegations “are not grounded in any evidence or individual incidents.”
Ms. Gabbard, who is on a three-day visit to India, made the claims during an interview with an Indian television channel that religious minorities in Bangladesh – Hindus, Buddhists, Christians among them – go through “persecution, killing and abuse every single day.” She also associated the alleged mistreatment with the “ideology and goal” of creating an “Islamist caliphate,” 
Bangladesh’s government disapproved of these claims, stressing that the nation follows an “inclusive and peaceful” form of Islam and has been working diligently to combat extremism. “Bangladesh vigorously opposes linking the country with the idea of an Islamist caliphate,” it said.
The interim government reiterated its intention to combat extremism working collaboratively with the rest of the world including with the United States. It called on politicians to base their words on facts and refrain from perpetuating disinformation of harmful stereotypes.
“We are committed to the promotion of peace, stability and progress through peaceful dialogue and cooperation,” the statement added.
