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Bangladesh MP warns of refugee crisis if BJP wins West Bengal polls

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 01 May 2026, 07:02 am

Dhaka : In a fresh bilateral controversy, a Bangladeshi lawmaker has warned of a potential refugee crisis if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) comes to power in West Bengal.

MP flags refugee crisis concerns

Akhtar Hossain, a National Citizen Party (NCP) MP, cited exit poll projections favouring the BJP and claimed that people could be pushed back into Bangladesh, triggering a refugee crisis.

“We are concerned about this,” Hossain said speaking in Parliament.

He added, “Our geography places us in a complex and vulnerable position. There are growing concerns that neighbouring forces are attempting to engineer a refugee crisis in Bangladesh.

“We cannot take it for granted that such a situation will not arise. As a nation, we must stand united and resist any form of subjugation.”

Diplomatic tensions resurface

Bilateral ties between India and Bangladesh have also come under renewed focus after Dhaka summoned acting Indian High Commissioner Pawan Badhe over remarks made by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, according to media reports.

Dhaka expresses displeasure

Bangladesh conveyed its displeasure over the remarks, describing them as disparaging to bilateral ties, The Times of India reported citing diplomatic sources.

Call for restraint amid fragile ties

Dhaka urged New Delhi to refrain from statements that could strain relations, noting that ties had seen marginal improvement since Tarique Rahman assumed charge earlier this year. It stressed that public comments capable of escalating tensions are counterproductive.

Backdrop of recent tensions

Relations between the two countries have remained sensitive following attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh after the fall of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, when anti-quota protests spiralled into violent unrest.

Sarma’s remarks trigger row

On April 26, Sarma had said that 20 foreign nationals were arrested in Assam and subsequently pushed back to Bangladesh, sparking a diplomatic reaction.