Why has Bangladesh’s choice of India spokespersons raised eyebrows?

Bangladesh’s decision to appoint two journalists to key media positions at its diplomatic missions in India has turned heads, with questions being raised over whether individuals who have previously expressed strongly critical views of India should be entrusted with representing Dhaka in New Delhi and Kolkata.

The controversy centres on the appointment of journalist Md Saidur Rahman as Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi and the reported nomination of television journalist Umme Marufa as First Secretary (Press) at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

The appointments come at a time when India and Bangladesh are attempting to rebuild bilateral ties following months of diplomatic strain after the political upheaval in Bangladesh that culminated in the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024.

The issue has gathered momentum after reports emerged that both appointees had deleted several of their earlier social media posts following criticism over their past remarks about India.

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Critics argue that while the posts may no longer be publicly visible, concerns remain over the views previously expressed by officials who are expected to serve as the public face of Bangladesh in India.

Who are the two appointees?

Md Saidur Rahman, a senior journalist with the Bengali daily The Daily Ittefaq, has been appointed as Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

A notification issued by Bangladesh’s Ministry of Public Administration stated that Rahman has been appointed to the post for a one-year term from the date of joining.

The order also specified that he must relinquish all professional engagements, business interests and positions in any government, semi-government or private organisation before taking up the assignment.

Rahman studied Mass Communication and Journalism at the University of Dhaka, where he completed both his bachelor's and master's degrees. He began his career as the University of Dhaka correspondent for Dainik Dinkal before joining The Daily Ittefaq.

Following Bangladesh’s July Movement, he was elevated to the role of Politics and Election Editor at the newspaper.

He has also served as general secretary of the Dhaka University Journalists' Association and later as president of the Reporters Forum for Election and Democracy (RFED), an organisation comprising journalists covering Bangladesh’s Election Commission.

The second appointment involves Umme Marufa, a special correspondent reportedly with Bengali television channel News24, who has reportedly been nominated to serve as First Secretary (Press) at the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata.

While her appointment had not been formally announced at the time of the reports, sources indicated she had been selected for the position.

What is the controversy?

The appointments attracted attention because both Rahman and Marufa had previously published social media posts that critics in India described as hostile towards India and its role in Bangladesh’s history.

One of the most widely discussed posts dates back to December 2024. On Bangladesh’s Victory Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had commemorated the sacrifices of Indian soldiers during the 1971 Liberation War, describing their contribution as part of India’s "historic victory".

Rahman responded with a Facebook post rejecting India's characterisation of the events. Referring to the Prime Minister, he wrote, “The country’s current Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared December 16, 1971 as India’s ‘historic Victory Day’ and gave a status on Facebook. As a Bangladeshi, I am declaring clearly that 1971 was our war of independence. Our pride, our honour."

Rahman also criticised India's military intervention during the Liberation War, describing it as "rashness". In the same series of remarks, he argued that Bangladesh’s liberation from Pakistan in 1971 was followed by what he characterised as a struggle to free the country from India's "colonial grip".

He added, “Breaking free from India’s grip, that complete independence was achieved on August 5, 2024." The reference was to August 5, 2024, when Sheikh Hasina fled Gana Bhaban amid a mass movement that led to the collapse of her government.

Other social media posts attributed to Rahman also generated controversy. In February 2025, he reportedly linked India to the 2009 mutiny by personnel of the Bangladesh Rifles, now known as Border Guard Bangladesh.

He also alleged that India was behind alleged excesses committed during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure and made an unsubstantiated claim suggesting Indian involvement in the assassination of Bangladesh Nationalist Party founder Ziaur Rahman.

Questions have also been raised over the reported nomination of Umme Marufa, whose past online activity has similarly attracted criticism. Screenshots of posts circulated after news of her nomination suggested she had shared narratives viewed by many in India as hostile to India's strategic interests.

Among the posts highlighted was one relating to comments made by Bangladesh Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus during his March 2025 visit to China.

Speaking about India's northeastern region, Yunus had said, “The seven states of eastern India – the Seven Sisters – are landlocked. They have no access to the ocean. We are the only guardians of the ocean."

The remarks generated criticism in India. Sanjeev Sanyal, a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisory Council, responded on X, writing, “Interesting that Yunus is making a public appeal to the Chinese on the basis that 7 states in India are land-locked. China is welcome to invest in Bangladesh, but what exactly is the significance of 7 Indian states being landlocked?"

Marufa had shared Yunus's comments on social media. Another post that came under discussion related to the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a spokesperson and prominent member of Inqilab Moncho who was known for his anti-India views.

Hadi was shot in Dhaka on December 12, 2025, and died in Singapore six days later. Following his death, Marufa posted on Facebook, “There is a difference in deaths, my brother; all deaths are not the same."

According to reports, some of Marufa’s earlier posts were also seen as supportive of forces in Bangladesh that New Delhi perceives as extremist and as promoting narratives contrary to India's strategic interests in the northeastern region.

Social media posts disappear after controversy

The controversy intensified after reports indicated that several Facebook posts previously made by both Rahman and Marufa had either been deleted or were no longer publicly accessible.

Many noted that the removals occurred after questions were raised in Indian media and diplomatic circles regarding the appointments.

According to diplomatic observers, the deleted material included comments critical of India's role in Bangladesh's Liberation War, allegations against the Indian government and remarks relating to India's northeastern states.

Political analysts believe the removal of the posts may have been intended to prevent further diplomatic embarrassment as both journalists prepare to assume sensitive assignments in India.

However, deleting earlier posts does not necessarily address concerns regarding the public positions previously expressed by officials who will represent Bangladesh before the Indian government, media and public.

Neither Rahman nor Marufa has publicly explained why the posts were removed.

Why are the appointments crucial?

The controversy goes beyond the contents of individual social media posts and instead reflects wider questions about Bangladesh's approach to appointing spokespersons at overseas missions.

Unlike India, where spokesperson roles in diplomatic missions are generally performed by career Indian Foreign Service officers, Bangladesh has traditionally filled these positions through political appointments.

Over the past decade, journalists have frequently been selected to serve as spokespersons at the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi.

The issue has also revived discussion because Bangladesh's previous spokesperson in New Delhi, Faisal Mahmud, had faced criticism from India's Ministry of External Affairs over comments on India's domestic politics while serving in the position.

His contractual appointment was eventually cancelled by the Bangladesh government in February.

Analysts say the latest appointments have attracted particular attention because they come during a delicate phase in India-Bangladesh relations, when both governments have publicly expressed a desire to improve bilateral cooperation after a period of strained ties.

So far, the Bangladesh government has not officially responded to concerns surrounding the appointments or to reports that controversial social media posts were removed.

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With inputs from agencies