BANGLADESH has criticised US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard over her remarks on religious violence in the country, calling them unfounded and potentially harmful to sectarian relations.
Gabbard, who arrived in India this week on a diplomatic visit, made the comments in an interview with Indian broadcaster NDTV on Monday. When asked about violence in Bangladesh, she referred to the "long-time unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities" and said these were areas of concern for the US government.
She also stated that Islamist extremism remained a "central focus" and noted that the Trump administration had raised the issue with Bangladesh's government.
In response, Bangladesh issued a statement late Monday rejecting Gabbard’s remarks as "misleading" and "damaging" to the country’s reputation.
"Political leaders and public figures should base their statements, especially on sensitive issues, on actual knowledge and take care not to reinforce harmful stereotypes, fan fears, or potentially stoke sectarian tensions," the statement said.
Hindus constitute about eight percent of Bangladesh's 170 million population. In the aftermath of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s ousting in August, several attacks targeted Hindus, who were perceived by some as supporters of her government.
The caretaker administration that replaced Hasina has maintained that these incidents were politically motivated rather than religious in nature. It has also accused Indian media and officials of spreading misinformation about the threats to Hindus in Bangladesh.
Gabbard previously met Indian prime minister Narendra Modi in Washington last month following her appointment as director of national intelligence under president Donald Trump.
On Monday, she met Modi again in New Delhi and, during a speech at a geopolitical conference, spoke about strengthening US-India relations. "I am confident that this partnership and friendship between our two nations and our leaders will continue to grow and strengthen," she said.
(With inputs from AFP)
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, in Scunthorpe, northern England, Britain, March 31, 2025. REUTERS/Dominic Lipinski
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. (Representational image: iStock)
FBU chief raises concern over rise in racist online posts by union members
THE FIRE Brigades Union (FBU) and other trade unions are increasingly concerned about a rise in racist and bigoted online comments by their own members and officials, according to Steve Wright, the FBU’s new general secretary, speaking to the Guardian.
Wright said internal inquiries have revealed dozens of cases involving members using racist slurs or stereotypes, often aimed at asylum seekers.
He said similar issues were reported in other unions, prompting a joint campaign to counter false narratives around immigration and race promoted by far-right groups online.
“People with far-right views are becoming more brazen in what they do on social media, and I’ve witnessed it with my own union around disciplinary cases and the rhetoric of some of our own members,” Wright said to the newspaper.
He added, “Some of our members and sometimes our reps have openly made comments which are racist and bigoted. In my time in the fire service, that has gone up.”
The FBU is planning to introduce new internal policies and wants the TUC to take action as well. A formal statement addressing far-right narratives will be launched at the union’s annual conference in Blackpool next month.
Wright cited the influence of social media and figures like Donald Trump and Nigel Farage as factors contributing to these incidents. “It feels like an itch that we’ve got to scratch,” he said.
The FBU barred a former official last year for allegedly endorsing racist content on X, including posts from Britain First and Tommy Robinson.
Wright also warned that the union could strike if the government moves to cut frontline fire services.