A BRITISH parliamentarian, lawyer and also the counsel for jailed opposition leader Khaleda Zia, Alex Carlile was denied entry to India as he wanted to address a press conference at a meeting of a human rights body in Delhi.
While explaining the entry rejection, the Indian Foreign Ministry sources said Carlile’s ‘intended activity in India was incompatible with the purpose of his visit as mentioned in his visa application’. The sources further mentioned, it was not acceptable for Carlile to use Indian soil to hold such a press conference when he could have done the same in London. The Indian Foreign Ministry also accused the lawyer for attempting to harm India – Bangladesh relations.
The point, however, is that the category of visa Mr. Carlile obtained to travel to India has been reported to be a business visa so the actual reason for refusing him entry is not understandable and cannot be appreciated.
We failed to understand what role Barrister Carlile had in mind to play during his visit to India. Surely his visit was not to hold a press conference to cause embarrassment to the government of India. But it can be inferred that his decision to come to India was to be helpful to his client Begum Khaleda Zia. We can only guess. Why he was also refused entry into Bangladesh is inexplainable. He could not appear in our court without permission from the Bar Council. In court matters open-mindedness is desirable.
All these activities concerning Lord Carlile’s entry into Bangladesh and India have brought to light the lack of confidence and narrow-minded politics on the part of both the countries.
Indian government seems to be extra-protective of the government of Bangladesh. Despite issuing visa to Lord Carlile refusing him to enter the country on a silly ground is not consistent with a democratic India. Any sensible government would have honoured the visa until a traveller proves he is harmful to the state. But India is anxious to show how it can be helpful to our government. It was a naive political consideration. Bangladesh government should be able to show its power and ability to deal with Begum Khaleda Zia anyway it liked. No additional help was necessary.
While explaining the entry rejection, the Indian Foreign Ministry sources said Carlile’s ‘intended activity in India was incompatible with the purpose of his visit as mentioned in his visa application’. The sources further mentioned, it was not acceptable for Carlile to use Indian soil to hold such a press conference when he could have done the same in London. The Indian Foreign Ministry also accused the lawyer for attempting to harm India – Bangladesh relations.
The point, however, is that the category of visa Mr. Carlile obtained to travel to India has been reported to be a business visa so the actual reason for refusing him entry is not understandable and cannot be appreciated.
We failed to understand what role Barrister Carlile had in mind to play during his visit to India. Surely his visit was not to hold a press conference to cause embarrassment to the government of India. But it can be inferred that his decision to come to India was to be helpful to his client Begum Khaleda Zia. We can only guess. Why he was also refused entry into Bangladesh is inexplainable. He could not appear in our court without permission from the Bar Council. In court matters open-mindedness is desirable.
All these activities concerning Lord Carlile’s entry into Bangladesh and India have brought to light the lack of confidence and narrow-minded politics on the part of both the countries.
Indian government seems to be extra-protective of the government of Bangladesh. Despite issuing visa to Lord Carlile refusing him to enter the country on a silly ground is not consistent with a democratic India. Any sensible government would have honoured the visa until a traveller proves he is harmful to the state. But India is anxious to show how it can be helpful to our government. It was a naive political consideration. Bangladesh government should be able to show its power and ability to deal with Begum Khaleda Zia anyway it liked. No additional help was necessary.
