Chief Adviser’s Office Labels Tulsi Gabbard’s Remarks as “Baseless, Misleading, and Harmful”

Staff Reporter

The Chief Adviser’s Office of Bangladesh has issued a statement strongly criticizing the remarks made by former US National Intelligence Director (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard during an interview with NDTV.

In her interview, Tulsi alleged attempts to establish an “Islamic Caliphate” in Bangladesh, the rise of extremism, and the persecution of religious minorities. However, the Chief Adviser’s Office has dismissed these claims as “baseless,” “misleading,” and “harmful to Bangladesh’s image.”

In a statement issued late Monday night, the CA Office said, “We have noted with deep concern and dismay the remarks made by DNI Tulsi Gabbard, alleging persecution and killings of religious minorities in Bangladesh and linking the threat of Islamic terrorism in the country to the goal of establishing an ‘Islamic Caliphate.’ These remarks are entirely misleading and detrimental to Bangladesh’s reputation.”

The office further stated that Islam has always been practiced in Bangladesh with “equality and peace.” Bangladesh has made significant progress in combating extremism and terrorism.

The Yunus Office described Tulsi’s remarks as an “attempt to unjustly and illogically tarnish an entire nation without any evidence or specific allegations.”

Although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs typically responds to international statements about Bangladesh, this is the first time the Chief Adviser’s Office has broken protocol to issue a statement.

Previously, the Foreign Affairs Adviser had also labeled the information revealed by Elon Musk’s “The Dose” about a $29 million USAID fund for implementing conspiracies in Bangladesh as “misleading” and “false.”

However, neither the Chief Adviser nor the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued any statement regarding the highest-ever foreign funds received during the last two national election years or the anti-government movement in July-August 2024 aimed at implementing conspiracies.

Analysts are viewing the CA Office’s statement with skepticism due to this break in protocol.

In her interview, Tulsi Gabbard stated, “The persecution, killings, and injustices against religious minorities, including Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians in Bangladesh, are a serious concern for the US government and the Trump administration.”

She also claimed that extremist groups in Bangladesh aim to establish an “Islamic Caliphate,” which is a root cause of global terrorism.

However, the Chief Adviser’s Office has dismissed these claims as “baseless,” asserting that there are no efforts to establish an “Islamic Caliphate” in Bangladesh.

The statement further added, “Like other countries, Bangladesh has faced challenges from extremism, but it has been addressing these through law enforcement, social reforms, and counter-terrorism efforts in partnership with the international community, including the United States.”

They “strongly condemned” any attempt to associate Bangladesh with an “Islamic Caliphate,” stating that it “undermines the hard work of countless Bangladeshis and their international partners for peace, stability, and progress.”

However, since August 5 last year, extremist, fundamentalist, or Islamist groups advocating for a caliphate have continued their violent activities without hindrance. These groups were the stakeholders behind bringing Yunus to power and currently enjoy the highest level of freedom in Bangladesh.

On March 7, the banned militant organization Hizb ut-Tahrir held the largest rally in Bangladesh’s history, posting posters across the country calling for the establishment of a caliphate, which was reported in various newspapers and witnessed globally.

The destruction of Bangabandhu’s historic residence at Dhanmondi 32 on February 5, the waving of ISIS flags, and war cries were all covered by international media.

The Chief Adviser’s Office has urged Tulsi Gabbard and other political leaders to base their remarks on “factual information” when addressing sensitive issues. They warned that such comments could create a negative image of Bangladesh.