'Be on Watch Out': Dhankar Reacts Strongly to Cong Leader's 'Bangladesh-Like Unrest in India' Remark

New Delhi: Days after Congress leaders Salman Khurshid and Sajjan Verma drew a comparison between India and Bangladesh, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar criticized their remarks. At the platinum jubilee celebrations of the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur, Dhankhar questioned how former Members of Parliament and experienced Foreign Service officers could suggest that what occurred in Bangladesh might happen in India. 

“Be on watch out!! Efforts by some to infuse a narrative that what happened in our neighbourhood is bound to happen in our Bharat, is deeply concerning. How can a citizen of this country having been a Member of Parliament, and the other who has seen enough of Foreign Service takes no time in saying that what happened in the neighbourhood will happen in India!”, said the Vice President.   

What Have Congress Leaders Said?

Congress leader Salman Khurshid had said what is happening in Bangladesh can happen in the country though "everything may look normal on the surface".

"Everything may look normal in Kashmir. Everything may look normal here. We may be celebrating the victory, although of course, some people believe that that victory or that success of 2024 was perhaps only marginal, perhaps a lot more needs to be done," he said while speaking at the launch of academician Mujibur Rehman's book Shikwa-e-Hind: The Political Future of Indian Muslims.

"The fact remains that under the surface there is something. What's happening in Bangladesh can happen here... the spread in our country prevents things blowing up in the manner in which they've blown up in Bangladesh," he said.

Later former minister Sajjan Verma, referring to the recent unrest in Bangladesh, had said, "The events that have been happening in Bangladesh for the last two days, due to wrong policies, the public has entered the Prime Minister's house. Remember Narendra Modi, one day the public that is protesting on the streets today, will enter and occupy your Prime Minister's residence due to wrong policies."

For the unversed, Bangladesh was rocked by waves of violent anti-government protests since mid-July, following which Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee the country.