DANCING WITH WOLVES IN SUBCONTINENT INDIA’S LATEST OUTLIER, BANGLADESH

"Sheikh Hasina should shut her month and stay in India. Her statements post 5th Aug, being made during her stay in India are creating political discord in Bangladesh. This is not a friendly gesture from India. We have protested and made the Indian authorities aware of our displeasure”. It’s a singular warning issued to India by Bangladeshi interim Head of State, Muhammed Yunus. He did not stop at this. Yunus further rubbed salt on Indian sentiments. “The entire facade of prosecution of minorities – Hindus is a lame excuse put forth by India. Minorities are well protected in Bangladesh. Bangladesh can never become Afganistan. Bangladesh is an Islamic nation, but it’s not overrun by fundamental Islamist ideology or orthodox Islamist groups”.

These sting laden views, acute displeasure express in front of world media and despiteful questioning of presence of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India – is a carefully crafted and tailored angst against Indian sentiments & the Indian State.

Reasons for this dominant disdain with respect to India is deep rooted and almost synonymous with the public distrust, animosity & virtual hate for former PM Hasina, as India has been projected as foundation of continued support and justification of a dictatorial regime thrusted upon the people of Bangladesh. Are average Bangladeshi justified in their angst against India – now that is a highly debatable and exhausting discussion in itself. However, it would be safe to assert, that India did put all its eggs with respect to Bangladesh in one basket - Former PM Hasina.

India diplomatic disposition had its justified and logic reasons for riding the back of Sheikh Hasina. Diplomatic decision are self – interest driven and since former PM Manmohan Singh’s tenure, Indian diplomats chose Awami League headed by Hasina over BNP, led by Khalida Zia. The nexus between Pakistani ISI, Nepali extremist communist groups and Jehadi Islamist outfits in Bangladesh brought terrorism so up and close in India, that it was almost like facing a two front Islamist onslaught from Pakistan & Bangladesh with a benevolent Chinese benefactor. Recently released BNP supremo Khalida Zia, during her tenure masked her covert support to Islamist groups & terror organisations supported, funded by Pakistan, with a pretence of SAARC brotherhood. Simultaneously Chinese efforts are disallowing India from accessing all North Easter states, beyond West Bengal’s chicken neck in Siliguri was thorn in Indian flesh. Strengthening North Easter boarders from Assam to Tripura was made redundant, militant activities in North Easter states was rampant, Staple Visa for Arunachal’s was rampant, in effect the Security implications, threatened the entire Indian state. Post Sheikh Hasina, over the past 15 years, Islamist forces have been reigned in. Banning of Jamaat e Islami and its student wing, proxy supporter of Islamist fandamental group, led to further reduction in Indian security concerns. The cooperative stance taken by Hasina with respect to security, cooperation and growth in mutual business environment, led the Indian establishment to strengthen and reinforce mutual understanding.

However, as both Chanakya & Greek philosopher Machiavelli professed, “statecraft and relations between nations has no permanent friends or enemies. Friends can still be managed but enemies need to be engaged, at all times”. It would be too presumptuous to now brush aside the overt dependence of Indian diplomatic core on an authoritarian, yet democratically elected Hasina’s govt.

5th Aug 2024, stands out as a watershed moment in India – Bangladesh relation, almost as historic as 1971 – war of Independence of Bangladesh supported and virtually ensured by India. Neither former PM Hasina (including her cabinet), nor Indian Authorities could fathom till 4th Aug 2024, that Hasina would be deposed and seek shelter in India. The two month long student uprising was hugely underestimated by both India and Hasina’s govt. But, what happened thereafter resembled the Sri Lankan uprising. While Sri Lankan uprising didn’t assume anti – India stance, Bangladeshi student movement despised and abhorred the India state as much as Shiekh Hasina’s govt – for them, India support and encouragement emboldened - sanctioned – strengthened an authoritarian & despotic regime. The prosecution of 8% Hindus, the second largest population block, reminded Hindus in India of the partition pogrom of 1947. In less than 10 days, more than 200 incidents/raids on Hindu dominated areas shook the very foundation of Hindu ethos. PM Narendra Modi raised the issue of atrocities on Hindu minorities after the massive protest march held by all minority groups within Bangladesh, Hindus - Buddhists - Christians on 8th Aug. 8 days later on 16th Aug, the caretaker PM of Bangladesh, Yunus assured PM Modi, upon which Modi wrote on X – “Received a telephone call from Professor Muhammad Yunus. Exchanged views on the prevailing situation. Reiterated India’s support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. He assured protection, safety and security of Hindus…”

Yet the shifting stand of interim Bangladeshi govt is well reflected in calls of urgent and expedited return of Hasina. After release of jailed BNP head, Khalida Zia, general secretary of main Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, told Indian media that Hasina must be extradited and tried in Bangladesh. Muhammed Quader, chairman of Jatiya Party, echoed Alamgir’s demand. This sentiment has been amplified by current PM Yunus – “Yes, she has to be brought back or else people of Bangladesh won’t be at peace. The kind of atrocities she has committed, she has to be tried in front of everyone here”.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Ajay Kumar The writer is Political Commentator & Journalist