Bangladesh’s pick of spokespersons in Delhi, Kolkata raise eyebrows
The Bangladesh government’s decision to appoint two journalists who have been very critical of India as spokespersons in the missions in New Delhi and Kolkata has raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles, especially as the move comes at a time when the two countries are engaged in the delicate process of rebuilding their strained ties. Unlike Indian missions where the post of spokesperson is usually held by an Indian Foreign Service officer, Bangladesh has for long had a policy of political appointments for this position. (Bangladesh High Commission) Both Saidur Rahman, the political editor of the Bengali daily Ittefaq who has been appointed the spokesperson of the Bangladesh high commission in New Delhi, and Umme Marufa, a special correspondent for the television network News24 who was named as spokesperson for the deputy high commission in Kolkata, have made derogatory social media posts about India and its government, people familiar with the matter said. By Tuesday, several of these social media posts had been deleted by both journalists following the official announcement of Rahman’s appointment on a …
