Jaishankar expressed concern in the Rajya Sabha over the controversial 'Greater Bangladesh' map, which includes parts of India. The map was displayed at Dhaka University, and a Turkish NGO is said to be supporting it.
S. Jaishankar: India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, expressed deep concern in a written statement in the Rajya Sabha regarding the controversial map displayed under the name 'Greater Bangladesh'. This map was recently made public during an exhibition at Dhaka University, which also showed some sensitive parts of India as included in 'Greater Bangladesh'. An Islamic organization, 'Salতানat-e-Bangla', is said to be behind this entire episode, which is supported by a Turkish NGO, 'Turkish Youth Federation'.
Questions on the Role of Dhaka University
The map that has caused the controversy was made public on April 14, 2025, at an exhibition held at Dhaka University on the occasion of Pohela Baishakh (Bengali New Year). The map allegedly showed parts of Assam, West Bengal, Tripura, and Meghalaya in India as part of 'Greater Bangladesh'. The organizers of the exhibition claimed that the map was displayed in the context of the historical Bengal Sultanate and had nothing to do with current political objectives. The organizers also denied any connection with any foreign political or religious organization.
Jaishankar's Statement: Government Speaks Openly in Parliament
Replying to a question from Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister Jaishankar said in his written statement that the Government of India is aware of this entire episode and is keeping a close watch on it. He clearly stated, "A map of Greater Bangladesh has been presented in Dhaka by an Islamic group 'Salতানat-e-Bangla', which includes territories of India. This group is said to be supported by a Turkish NGO." Jaishankar further said that the government takes any such attempt related to the security and integrity of the country very seriously and all necessary steps are being taken to deal with it.
Who is 'Salতানat-e-Bangla'?
The name of the Islamic organization 'Salতানat-e-Bangla' has surfaced at this level for the first time. Indian intelligence agencies believe that this organization is promoting extremist ideology in Bangladesh, as well as advocating regional expansionism. What is particularly troubling is that this organization is allegedly receiving ideological and financial support from the Turkish-based 'Turkish Youth Federation'. This organization has been in the news earlier as well for controversial propaganda activities in several countries.
Bangladesh Government's Statement: Lie or Clarification?
A fact-checking platform 'Banglafact' associated with the Bangladesh government tried to dismiss this entire controversy. According to them, no organization named 'Salতানat-e-Bangla' is active in Bangladesh, nor was this map displayed for any political purpose. They described it as merely an interpretation of history. However, the Indian intelligence system and the Ministry of External Affairs are not fully accepting this clarification. They believe that this is a 'soft propaganda', which may gradually try to spread ideological confusion and instability in the border states.
India's Strategic Response: Strictness and Vigilance Both
The Ministry of External Affairs has made it clear that India will not tolerate any laxity towards the security of its borders, sovereignty, and citizens. Intelligence agencies have been instructed to investigate this matter in depth. Along with this, dialogue is also being intensified with Bangladesh through diplomatic means so that such incidents are not repeated. The Government of India is also looking at taking strategic steps at the international level against NGOs associated with countries like Turkey if they are trying to ideologically infiltrate South Asia.
