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[🇧🇩] Indo-Bangla Relation: India's Regional Ambition, Geopolitical Reality, and Strategic Options For Bangladesh
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Bangladesh Defense Forum
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I believe one of the most important bi-lateral issues to be discussed is cross-border trade and how to reduce Indian customs NTBs (Non Tariff Barriers) which are fictitious and enforced without due cause, in contravention of WTO rules. We need to close the yawning 90 to 10 trade deficit affecting this trade right now, which has existed for at least the last five decades, currently amounting to almost twenty Billion dollars a year officially and probably twice as much when smuggling is considered.
To say that a large portion of India's export economy runs on Bangladesh trade will not be untrue.
In my opinion, we should enforce WTO rules more rigorously and enforce our own tit-for-tat NTBs, if Indian administration continues in this path of blowing off WTO rules.
We literally have NOTHING to lose.
The rest of our trading partners i.e. Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey and China have a lot more to gain.
To say that a large portion of India's export economy runs on Bangladesh trade will not be untrue.
In my opinion, we should enforce WTO rules more rigorously and enforce our own tit-for-tat NTBs, if Indian administration continues in this path of blowing off WTO rules.
We literally have NOTHING to lose.
The rest of our trading partners i.e. Pakistan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey and China have a lot more to gain.
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Bangladesh's success under interim Chief Yunus could strengthen ties with India: The Wire
Indian news outlet - The Wire - in its recent article highlights how a successful Bangladesh, under Chief Adviser Professor Muhmmad Yunus, is more likely to be a strong ally of India than a failing one, reports BSS. Vinod Khosla, a businessman and venture capitalist, wrote the opinion released in
Bangladesh's success under interim Chief Yunus could strengthen ties with India: The Wire
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Oct 29, 2024 14:07
Updated :
Oct 29, 2024 14:07
Indian news outlet - The Wire - in its recent article highlights how a successful Bangladesh, under Chief Adviser Professor Muhmmad Yunus, is more likely to be a strong ally of India than a failing one, reports BSS.
Vinod Khosla, a businessman and venture capitalist, wrote the opinion released in The Wire on October 27.
Following is the full text of the full article.
As a proud American and son of India, I look with hope at the exciting possibilities surrounding Professor Muhammad Yunus's leadership of Bangladesh. Three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5, Yunus was sworn in as Bangladesh's interim government head.
Yunus, whom I consider a friend and have known for decades, accepted that post at the insistence of the student leaders who were at the forefront of the student-led struggle.
I am an entrepreneurship zealot, a believer in the power of ideas, and passionate about sustainability and impact. I am in awe of what Yunus has accomplished in his life. I work to bring life-enhancing technology to the world through my investments. Yunus, through endless experimentation and tinkering, has developed a series of institutional success models for reducing poverty, improving health care and education outcomes, and combating climate change.
For example, in 1996, Yunus succeeded in putting cell phones in the hands of hundreds of thousands of poor women in rural villages in Bangladesh, allowing them to generate income as village cell phone ladies. I am passionate about protecting our environment. Yunus founded a company that, beginning in 1995, has installed 1.8 million solar home systems and 1 million clean cook stoves, again almost exclusively in rural Bangladesh.
That doesn't even include the creation of Grameen Bank that has cumulatively made US$39 billion in small, mostly income-generating loans to more than 10 million poor women that became a model for similar efforts in India and many other countries.
But now, Yunus has turned his attention to a new challenge, leading the eighth largest country in the world by population, a nation of more than 170 million people. This is a country with about half the population of the United States all in a land mass equal to the U.S. state of Illinois.
There are people throughout Bangladesh and around the world who are batting for Yunus's success. I am one of them. But there are others who want him and the interim government he leads to fail and are spreading false narratives about what is going on under his leadership. So I would like to share my perspectives about his values, his approach, and his early results.
In his first two months in office, he got the police to return to work, which improved the law and order situation, took tangible steps to protect minorities such as Hindus, worked to improve relations with India, suggested that the regional powers reinvigorate SAARC, and made progress on bringing stability to the banking and financial sectors in Bangladesh (which were in disarray when he took office).
He also represented Bangladesh effectively at the UN General Assembly, and had more than 50 productive meetings with global leaders while
he was in New York.
In his work in this role, I have seen him applying the same values and approach that I have seen him use throughout his career: building a national consensus on key issues, experimenting to determine what works best, inspiring fellow citizens (especially youth) to get involved in practical and constructive ways, treating all people with respect regardless of their religion, gender, or ethnicity, and being pragmatic as well as energetic (despite being 84 years old).
But there are many challenges. Leading a government can be many times more difficult than running a suite of social businesses and nonprofits. People aligned with the prior government that lost power wants his efforts to fail. The party that has been out of power for years wants a quick return. But I believe Yunus is up to the job.
In September, I joined 198 global leaders including 92 Nobel laureates in a letter to the people of Bangladesh and people of goodwill around the world.
"We are excited to see Professor Yunus finally free to work for the uplift of the entire country, especially the most marginalisd, a calling he has pursued with great vigor and success across six decades (sic)."
His early successes in this role augur well for the future of Bangladesh, and a successful Bangladesh is more likely to be a strong ally of India than a failing one. We should all be rooting for Yunus to continuing making progress in this important interim role, because Bangladesh reaching its potential is in India's best interest.
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Oct 29, 2024 14:07
Updated :
Oct 29, 2024 14:07
Indian news outlet - The Wire - in its recent article highlights how a successful Bangladesh, under Chief Adviser Professor Muhmmad Yunus, is more likely to be a strong ally of India than a failing one, reports BSS.
Vinod Khosla, a businessman and venture capitalist, wrote the opinion released in The Wire on October 27.
Following is the full text of the full article.
As a proud American and son of India, I look with hope at the exciting possibilities surrounding Professor Muhammad Yunus's leadership of Bangladesh. Three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5, Yunus was sworn in as Bangladesh's interim government head.
Yunus, whom I consider a friend and have known for decades, accepted that post at the insistence of the student leaders who were at the forefront of the student-led struggle.
I am an entrepreneurship zealot, a believer in the power of ideas, and passionate about sustainability and impact. I am in awe of what Yunus has accomplished in his life. I work to bring life-enhancing technology to the world through my investments. Yunus, through endless experimentation and tinkering, has developed a series of institutional success models for reducing poverty, improving health care and education outcomes, and combating climate change.
For example, in 1996, Yunus succeeded in putting cell phones in the hands of hundreds of thousands of poor women in rural villages in Bangladesh, allowing them to generate income as village cell phone ladies. I am passionate about protecting our environment. Yunus founded a company that, beginning in 1995, has installed 1.8 million solar home systems and 1 million clean cook stoves, again almost exclusively in rural Bangladesh.
That doesn't even include the creation of Grameen Bank that has cumulatively made US$39 billion in small, mostly income-generating loans to more than 10 million poor women that became a model for similar efforts in India and many other countries.
But now, Yunus has turned his attention to a new challenge, leading the eighth largest country in the world by population, a nation of more than 170 million people. This is a country with about half the population of the United States all in a land mass equal to the U.S. state of Illinois.
There are people throughout Bangladesh and around the world who are batting for Yunus's success. I am one of them. But there are others who want him and the interim government he leads to fail and are spreading false narratives about what is going on under his leadership. So I would like to share my perspectives about his values, his approach, and his early results.
In his first two months in office, he got the police to return to work, which improved the law and order situation, took tangible steps to protect minorities such as Hindus, worked to improve relations with India, suggested that the regional powers reinvigorate SAARC, and made progress on bringing stability to the banking and financial sectors in Bangladesh (which were in disarray when he took office).
He also represented Bangladesh effectively at the UN General Assembly, and had more than 50 productive meetings with global leaders while
he was in New York.
In his work in this role, I have seen him applying the same values and approach that I have seen him use throughout his career: building a national consensus on key issues, experimenting to determine what works best, inspiring fellow citizens (especially youth) to get involved in practical and constructive ways, treating all people with respect regardless of their religion, gender, or ethnicity, and being pragmatic as well as energetic (despite being 84 years old).
But there are many challenges. Leading a government can be many times more difficult than running a suite of social businesses and nonprofits. People aligned with the prior government that lost power wants his efforts to fail. The party that has been out of power for years wants a quick return. But I believe Yunus is up to the job.
In September, I joined 198 global leaders including 92 Nobel laureates in a letter to the people of Bangladesh and people of goodwill around the world.
"We are excited to see Professor Yunus finally free to work for the uplift of the entire country, especially the most marginalisd, a calling he has pursued with great vigor and success across six decades (sic)."
His early successes in this role augur well for the future of Bangladesh, and a successful Bangladesh is more likely to be a strong ally of India than a failing one. We should all be rooting for Yunus to continuing making progress in this important interim role, because Bangladesh reaching its potential is in India's best interest.
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- Jan 24, 2024
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Bangladesh's success under interim Chief Yunus could strengthen ties with India: The Wire
Indian news outlet - The Wire - in its recent article highlights how a successful Bangladesh, under Chief Adviser Professor Muhmmad Yunus, is more likely to be a strong ally of India than a failing one, reports BSS. Vinod Khosla, a businessman and venture capitalist, wrote the opinion released inthefinancialexpress.com.bd
Bangladesh's success under interim Chief Yunus could strengthen ties with India: The Wire
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Oct 29, 2024 14:07
Updated :
Oct 29, 2024 14:07
View attachment 10155
Indian news outlet - The Wire - in its recent article highlights how a successful Bangladesh, under Chief Adviser Professor Muhmmad Yunus, is more likely to be a strong ally of India than a failing one, reports BSS.
Vinod Khosla, a businessman and venture capitalist, wrote the opinion released in The Wire on October 27.
Following is the full text of the full article.
As a proud American and son of India, I look with hope at the exciting possibilities surrounding Professor Muhammad Yunus's leadership of Bangladesh. Three days after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5, Yunus was sworn in as Bangladesh's interim government head.
Yunus, whom I consider a friend and have known for decades, accepted that post at the insistence of the student leaders who were at the forefront of the student-led struggle.
I am an entrepreneurship zealot, a believer in the power of ideas, and passionate about sustainability and impact. I am in awe of what Yunus has accomplished in his life. I work to bring life-enhancing technology to the world through my investments. Yunus, through endless experimentation and tinkering, has developed a series of institutional success models for reducing poverty, improving health care and education outcomes, and combating climate change.
For example, in 1996, Yunus succeeded in putting cell phones in the hands of hundreds of thousands of poor women in rural villages in Bangladesh, allowing them to generate income as village cell phone ladies. I am passionate about protecting our environment. Yunus founded a company that, beginning in 1995, has installed 1.8 million solar home systems and 1 million clean cook stoves, again almost exclusively in rural Bangladesh.
That doesn't even include the creation of Grameen Bank that has cumulatively made US$39 billion in small, mostly income-generating loans to more than 10 million poor women that became a model for similar efforts in India and many other countries.
But now, Yunus has turned his attention to a new challenge, leading the eighth largest country in the world by population, a nation of more than 170 million people. This is a country with about half the population of the United States all in a land mass equal to the U.S. state of Illinois.
There are people throughout Bangladesh and around the world who are batting for Yunus's success. I am one of them. But there are others who want him and the interim government he leads to fail and are spreading false narratives about what is going on under his leadership. So I would like to share my perspectives about his values, his approach, and his early results.
In his first two months in office, he got the police to return to work, which improved the law and order situation, took tangible steps to protect minorities such as Hindus, worked to improve relations with India, suggested that the regional powers reinvigorate SAARC, and made progress on bringing stability to the banking and financial sectors in Bangladesh (which were in disarray when he took office).
He also represented Bangladesh effectively at the UN General Assembly, and had more than 50 productive meetings with global leaders while
he was in New York.
In his work in this role, I have seen him applying the same values and approach that I have seen him use throughout his career: building a national consensus on key issues, experimenting to determine what works best, inspiring fellow citizens (especially youth) to get involved in practical and constructive ways, treating all people with respect regardless of their religion, gender, or ethnicity, and being pragmatic as well as energetic (despite being 84 years old).
But there are many challenges. Leading a government can be many times more difficult than running a suite of social businesses and nonprofits. People aligned with the prior government that lost power wants his efforts to fail. The party that has been out of power for years wants a quick return. But I believe Yunus is up to the job.
In September, I joined 198 global leaders including 92 Nobel laureates in a letter to the people of Bangladesh and people of goodwill around the world.
"We are excited to see Professor Yunus finally free to work for the uplift of the entire country, especially the most marginalisd, a calling he has pursued with great vigor and success across six decades (sic)."
His early successes in this role augur well for the future of Bangladesh, and a successful Bangladesh is more likely to be a strong ally of India than a failing one. We should all be rooting for Yunus to continuing making progress in this important interim role, because Bangladesh reaching its potential is in India's best interest.
Well at least an Indian at the level of Mr. Khosla (an important venture capitalist and a mover/shaker in Silicon valley, being a co-founder of Sun Microsystems) understand who Dr. Yunus is and what his entrepreneurship holds as a promise to Bangladesh.
Dr. Yunus' influence and reach goes far past the ambit of traditional Indian or subcontinental politics.
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- #170
- Jan 24, 2024
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Before Hasina's own RAW training and active encouragements of RAW operatives operating in Bangladesh to ensure her safety and security, RAW did not have any foothold in Bangladesh. Indian Media is just too romantic.
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Bangladesh's shared GIs with India: The conflict and the outlook
In the recent past, the topic of shared Geographical Indications (GI) between India and Bangladesh has frequently appeared in public discourse.
Bangladesh's shared GIs with India: The conflict and the outlook
The Jamdani saree, another significant traditional craft, is registered in both Dhaka, Bangladesh, and West Bengal, with further Indian registrations for Uppada and Fulia Jamdani sarees. PHOTO: SHAHREAR KABIR HEEMEL
In the recent past, the topic of shared Geographical Indications (GI) between India and Bangladesh has frequently appeared in public discourse. A comparative review of the GI journals published by the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under Bangladesh's Ministry of Industries and Intellectual Property India under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry reveals that at least eight products are recognised as GIs in both countries, reflecting historical and cultural overlaps.
For instance, Bangladesh's Nakshi Kantha from Jamalpur corresponds to India's Nakshi Kantha from West Bengal, while Chapainawabganj's Khirsapat Mango parallels Malda Khirsapati (Himsagar) Mango in India. Similarly, Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj's Fazli Mango is registered as Malda Fazli Mango in India, and the renowned Dhakai Muslin in Bangladesh is registered as Bengal Muslin in West Bengal. The Jamdani saree, another significant traditional craft, is registered in both Dhaka, Bangladesh, and West Bengal, with further Indian registrations for Uppada and Fulia Jamdani sarees. Gopalganj's Rasogolla also has its counterpart in India's Banglar Rasogolla, and Tangail saree of Bangladesh has been registered as Tangail saree of Bengal in West Bengal. This shared registration pattern underscores the need for comprehensive legal protections to avoid conflicts, particularly as both countries seek to capitalise on the economic and cultural values of these products.
Products registered as GIs under both Indian and Bangladeshi jurisdictions due to overlapping geographical areas or historical connections fall under the category of trans-border GIs. A trans-border GI originates from a geographical area that extends over the territories of two adjacent contracting parties. While trans-border GI conflicts are not particularly common, they do occur globally. These conflicts arise when producers from different countries seek GI protection for similar products.
Given the reputation and consumer faith that a GI status brings, it is in the economic interest of every country to register as many GIs as possible for their traditional products, regardless of the ambiguity of the exact geographical linkage. The motive behind seeking such protection is entirely rational from a national interest perspective. Consumers associate GIs with specific qualities and origins, differentiating them from similar products. They help develop collective brands for products with shared geographical characteristics, building a stronger market presence. It can also prevent unauthorised use of the indication by others ensuring only qualified producers benefit from its reputation. Additionally, GIs can lead to competitive advantages, premium prices for higher product value, increased export opportunities, stronger brand image, and higher export prices. The significance of these products extends beyond market economics and increased profits; they often embody the heritage, tradition, and culture of their place of origin.
However, when multiple countries register GI for a product separately under the national jurisdiction or the "Sui Generis System" of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)—which protects at national level only, it may make the GI product semi-generic, where the name merely becomes a description or class of product that can be produced in several countries. This may undermine the ability to command premium export prices as neither country can establish exclusivity over the product (as seen with Basmati rice) and may even result in a loss of protection against imitation. Furthermore, there remains apprehension about legal disputes in case either country attempts to deter the other from entering international markets.
To illustrate the gravity of the issue regarding the shared resources and their GI registrations between India and Bangladesh, below we briefly analyse two case studies:
Tangail saree is now an Indian GI
The Tangail saree is a longstanding cottage industry in Bangladesh, tracing back to the British era. These are completely made by handwork. Tangail's zamindars patronised Dhaka Jamdani weavers during the British colonial period. Over time, these weavers innovated various motifs, shaping the Tangail saree as we know it today.
On January 4, 2024, the Tangail saree was officially registered as a GI of India under the title "Tangail saree of Bengal." Coming to know about the Indian action, the agony and anguish of the people of Bangladesh were expressed through public outrage, including those of the weavers and the local people of Tangail.
Bangladeshi Tangail saree has a global market, spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East, Japan, and several Indian states. Bangladesh exports about 50,000 sarees to India every week. By registering a GI for Tangail saree, India has demonstrated an inclination to "free ride" which may lead to unfair competition for Bangladeshi producers of Tangail saree. Although Bangladesh completed the GI registration for Tangail saree on April 25, 2024, this is not going to stop India from using the GI of Tangail saree and capitalising on it. India now has the opportunity to capitalise on the heritage brand of Bangladeshi Tangail saree, which was built over 250 years.
India claimed the GI based on the argument that "Basak," the key weaver family of Tangail saree migrated to West Bengal post-partition in 1947 and again after the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. They claim this category of saree to be a hybrid of Shantipur design and Dhaka-Tangail. However, the documentary evidence submitted in the GI Journal of India nowhere had the mention of "Tangail saree of West Bengal," rather one of their submitted documents referred to Tangail of Bangladesh as the place of origin of Tangail saree. Based on these fuzzy arguments, the Indian GI registration for Tangail saree is neither fully factual nor compelling.
As specified by WIPO, GIs must be linked to products produced in a specific territory. Bangladesh had a strong case to contest this GI as the Indian GI refers to "Tangail saree," which is a specific geographic location in Bangladesh.
Building on this foundation, in May 2024, Bangladesh decided to legally challenge the "Tangail saree of Bengal" GI by India. A first draft has been prepared to contest and the legal team has continued its effort to gather further evidence to strengthen their case.
A man collects honey from the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest spread out between Bangladesh and India, with around 60 percent of the forest lying within the former’s borders. File Photo: Collected
Sundarban honey GI conundrum
As the backlash from the controversy over the GI awarded to India for Tangail saree began to simmer down, a new concern emerged. Sundarban honey was displayed as a GI product of India at the Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge organised by WIPO in Geneva (May 13-17, 2024).
This sole representation of the said product by India sparked questions in our minds as the majority of Sundarban's territory lies within Bangladesh. Indeed, Bangladesh is the primary extractor of Sundarban honey. While official government records could not be found, media reports indicate that about 200-300 tonnes of Sundarban honey are extracted annually, while India produces about 111 tonnes per year as mentioned in its GI application.
Curiously, the district administration of Bagerhat filed an application for the GI tag of Sundarban Honey on August 7, 2017. Yet for seven years there had been no development. This is a rather astonishing example of administrative dereliction of duty. The initiatives to secure GI status for Sundarbans' honey only gained traction after we drew attention to the matter through a media briefing organised at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). The GI registration for Sundarban honey was finally completed in Bangladesh in July 2024.
Contrary to Bangladesh, West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited of India applied for GI rights for Sundarban Honey on July 12, 2021. The GI tag was vigilantly issued on January 2, 2024. Consequently, India once again surpassed Bangladesh in the GI registration of shared resources. As a result, India alone received global recognition for the genetic uniqueness and traditional collection methods of Sundarban honey, while Bangladesh's contribution remains overlooked.
Way forward
Given the ongoing disputes surrounding GIs between Bangladesh and India, questions loom over the equitable recognition of trans-border GIs of Bangladesh. One can safely say that these are not the last incidents between Bangladesh and India. Without any established legal framework, tensions may continue to rise regarding trans-border GI protection. Given the contingency of geographical proximity and shared natural resources, Bangladesh should find a mechanism to systematically protect its GIs and look for a predictable legal solution to address the issue of GI conflicts of shared geographical resources. In view of that, we would like to make the following recommendations:
- It is important to have an assessment of the list of Bangladeshi GIs. There is a need to be clear on which Bangladeshi GIs have export potential, especially in Lisbon contracting states. Converting these into global products is essential to fully reap the benefits.
- GIs must be secured for all products with geographic reputation and export potential. The prerequisite for any country to protect its origin-based traditional products is to register them first in the country of origin.
- To seek protection internationally, GIs must be registered separately in each jurisdiction where protection is desired, often through bilateral agreements. The Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration (1958) can also be utilised. The Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications, adopted on May 20, 2015, revised the pre-existing Lisbon Agreement. Although the number of signatories to this act is still limited to 44 countries, it could be an important first step for extending supranational protection of GIs alongside Appellations of Origin (AOs).
- Registering collective marks for the country's GIs should also be given thought. The primary purpose of collective marks is to indicate the origin of products within an association. Even if the association is geographically based or has specific standards for membership, other associations from the same region with different standards or features can coexist without confusing consumers about the origin of the trademark. A regionally based collective mark, such as a GI, not only indicates the origin of the product but also serves as a brand. Protecting GI products as "collective marks" within the trademark system opens up the possibility of using the international Madrid System, administered by WIPO, to file international trademark registrations after registration in the home country. The Madrid System offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for registering and managing trademarks worldwide. By filing a single international trademark application and paying one set of fees, protection can be sought in up to 131 countries. However, it is important to note that marks are vulnerable to revocation if they have not been used in a real and effective manner within a certain period after registration, often five years.
- To safeguard products with geographic reputations, constant monitoring of the GI Journal of other countries, particularly of those having shared borders with Bangladesh, is necessary to prevent wrongful registration of GIs for Bangladeshi products.
- In case of any GI conflict with another nation, bilateral consultations and legal recourse should be pursued.
- In alignment with Articles 22-24, Part II, Section 3, of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), each WTO member has an international obligation to ensure that a GI product genuinely originates from their territory. If there is confusion about the geographical origin, the concerned members should seek a mutually agreed upon solution.
- If a GI is believed to be wrongfully appropriated by another nation and bilateral negotiations cannot resolve the issue, an appeal can be made to the High Court for its cancellation. Upon receipt of an application in the prescribed format from any aggrieved party, the Registrar or the High Court has the authority to issue an order to cancel or vary the registration of a GI based on "any contravention or failure" to observe a condition entered on the register in relation to the GI.
- Indeed if bilateral consultations and legal recourse through the country court system do not work, the case could be taken to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism (which remains dysfunctional at the moment due to the absence of an adequate number of judges) under a possible TRIPS Agreement violation.
- To protect trans-border GIs effectively across borders, Bangladesh and India need to adopt a collaborative approach instead of a competing one based on shared understanding and mutual consultations. A joint binational approach for exploiting trans-border GIs would be the best commercial strategy to enhance the recognition and value of the shared resources of both countries in international markets.
- While there is a long way to go in establishing a system for shared protection of trans-border GIs, it is recommended that Bangladesh sign a regional agreement with the EU if it hasn't yet and accede to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement (2015). Subsequently, through mutual understanding between the two neighbouring countries, potential avenues for joint protection should be explored.
- Once both Bangladesh and India sign up for the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement 2015, discussions can be initiated on submitting joint applications under the act for all trans-border GIs since the accession of the EU to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement means that as soon as any third country joins the agreement, their GIs will gain protection throughout the EU as well through the Lisbon system.
- To secure and reap the benefits from GI recognition, the government's role is necessary, but the role of producers is inevitable. Although 28 GI products have been registered in Bangladesh, none have been exported with the GI tag, indicating a failure on the exporters' part. Eligible businesses must contact the GI owner organisations to benefit from premium export prices.
- Furthermore, it has not been decided who will approve the GI tags to be used by exporters. The relevant government authority needs to address this issue.
- Producers must be vigilant to ensure that no one unlawfully registers a GI for their products within the country or in neighbouring jurisdictions.
- Commercialisation is required, but the downstream distribution of benefits is also a concern. It must be ensured that GI protection has the potential to improve the conditions of farmers and rural producers, who often do not see the benefits of intellectual property protection in a globalised world.
There is much work to be done before Bangladesh can reap the benefits of any GI registration and effectively safeguard its GIs. By implementing these recommendations, Bangladesh can better protect its GIs, resolve conflicts, and maximise the economic and cultural benefits of its unique products.
Debapriya Bhattacharya is distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
Naima Jahan Trisha is currently working as a programme associate at CPD.
The Jamdani saree, another significant traditional craft, is registered in both Dhaka, Bangladesh, and West Bengal, with further Indian registrations for Uppada and Fulia Jamdani sarees. PHOTO: SHAHREAR KABIR HEEMEL
In the recent past, the topic of shared Geographical Indications (GI) between India and Bangladesh has frequently appeared in public discourse. A comparative review of the GI journals published by the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks under Bangladesh's Ministry of Industries and Intellectual Property India under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry reveals that at least eight products are recognised as GIs in both countries, reflecting historical and cultural overlaps.
For instance, Bangladesh's Nakshi Kantha from Jamalpur corresponds to India's Nakshi Kantha from West Bengal, while Chapainawabganj's Khirsapat Mango parallels Malda Khirsapati (Himsagar) Mango in India. Similarly, Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj's Fazli Mango is registered as Malda Fazli Mango in India, and the renowned Dhakai Muslin in Bangladesh is registered as Bengal Muslin in West Bengal. The Jamdani saree, another significant traditional craft, is registered in both Dhaka, Bangladesh, and West Bengal, with further Indian registrations for Uppada and Fulia Jamdani sarees. Gopalganj's Rasogolla also has its counterpart in India's Banglar Rasogolla, and Tangail saree of Bangladesh has been registered as Tangail saree of Bengal in West Bengal. This shared registration pattern underscores the need for comprehensive legal protections to avoid conflicts, particularly as both countries seek to capitalise on the economic and cultural values of these products.
Products registered as GIs under both Indian and Bangladeshi jurisdictions due to overlapping geographical areas or historical connections fall under the category of trans-border GIs. A trans-border GI originates from a geographical area that extends over the territories of two adjacent contracting parties. While trans-border GI conflicts are not particularly common, they do occur globally. These conflicts arise when producers from different countries seek GI protection for similar products.
Given the reputation and consumer faith that a GI status brings, it is in the economic interest of every country to register as many GIs as possible for their traditional products, regardless of the ambiguity of the exact geographical linkage. The motive behind seeking such protection is entirely rational from a national interest perspective. Consumers associate GIs with specific qualities and origins, differentiating them from similar products. They help develop collective brands for products with shared geographical characteristics, building a stronger market presence. It can also prevent unauthorised use of the indication by others ensuring only qualified producers benefit from its reputation. Additionally, GIs can lead to competitive advantages, premium prices for higher product value, increased export opportunities, stronger brand image, and higher export prices. The significance of these products extends beyond market economics and increased profits; they often embody the heritage, tradition, and culture of their place of origin.
However, when multiple countries register GI for a product separately under the national jurisdiction or the "Sui Generis System" of World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)—which protects at national level only, it may make the GI product semi-generic, where the name merely becomes a description or class of product that can be produced in several countries. This may undermine the ability to command premium export prices as neither country can establish exclusivity over the product (as seen with Basmati rice) and may even result in a loss of protection against imitation. Furthermore, there remains apprehension about legal disputes in case either country attempts to deter the other from entering international markets.
To illustrate the gravity of the issue regarding the shared resources and their GI registrations between India and Bangladesh, below we briefly analyse two case studies:
Tangail saree is now an Indian GI
The Tangail saree is a longstanding cottage industry in Bangladesh, tracing back to the British era. These are completely made by handwork. Tangail's zamindars patronised Dhaka Jamdani weavers during the British colonial period. Over time, these weavers innovated various motifs, shaping the Tangail saree as we know it today.
On January 4, 2024, the Tangail saree was officially registered as a GI of India under the title "Tangail saree of Bengal." Coming to know about the Indian action, the agony and anguish of the people of Bangladesh were expressed through public outrage, including those of the weavers and the local people of Tangail.
Bangladeshi Tangail saree has a global market, spanning Europe, North America, the Middle East, Japan, and several Indian states. Bangladesh exports about 50,000 sarees to India every week. By registering a GI for Tangail saree, India has demonstrated an inclination to "free ride" which may lead to unfair competition for Bangladeshi producers of Tangail saree. Although Bangladesh completed the GI registration for Tangail saree on April 25, 2024, this is not going to stop India from using the GI of Tangail saree and capitalising on it. India now has the opportunity to capitalise on the heritage brand of Bangladeshi Tangail saree, which was built over 250 years.
India claimed the GI based on the argument that "Basak," the key weaver family of Tangail saree migrated to West Bengal post-partition in 1947 and again after the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. They claim this category of saree to be a hybrid of Shantipur design and Dhaka-Tangail. However, the documentary evidence submitted in the GI Journal of India nowhere had the mention of "Tangail saree of West Bengal," rather one of their submitted documents referred to Tangail of Bangladesh as the place of origin of Tangail saree. Based on these fuzzy arguments, the Indian GI registration for Tangail saree is neither fully factual nor compelling.
As specified by WIPO, GIs must be linked to products produced in a specific territory. Bangladesh had a strong case to contest this GI as the Indian GI refers to "Tangail saree," which is a specific geographic location in Bangladesh.
Building on this foundation, in May 2024, Bangladesh decided to legally challenge the "Tangail saree of Bengal" GI by India. A first draft has been prepared to contest and the legal team has continued its effort to gather further evidence to strengthen their case.
A man collects honey from the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest spread out between Bangladesh and India, with around 60 percent of the forest lying within the former’s borders. File Photo: Collected
Sundarban honey GI conundrum
As the backlash from the controversy over the GI awarded to India for Tangail saree began to simmer down, a new concern emerged. Sundarban honey was displayed as a GI product of India at the Diplomatic Conference on Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge organised by WIPO in Geneva (May 13-17, 2024).
This sole representation of the said product by India sparked questions in our minds as the majority of Sundarban's territory lies within Bangladesh. Indeed, Bangladesh is the primary extractor of Sundarban honey. While official government records could not be found, media reports indicate that about 200-300 tonnes of Sundarban honey are extracted annually, while India produces about 111 tonnes per year as mentioned in its GI application.
Curiously, the district administration of Bagerhat filed an application for the GI tag of Sundarban Honey on August 7, 2017. Yet for seven years there had been no development. This is a rather astonishing example of administrative dereliction of duty. The initiatives to secure GI status for Sundarbans' honey only gained traction after we drew attention to the matter through a media briefing organised at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). The GI registration for Sundarban honey was finally completed in Bangladesh in July 2024.
Contrary to Bangladesh, West Bengal Forest Development Corporation Limited of India applied for GI rights for Sundarban Honey on July 12, 2021. The GI tag was vigilantly issued on January 2, 2024. Consequently, India once again surpassed Bangladesh in the GI registration of shared resources. As a result, India alone received global recognition for the genetic uniqueness and traditional collection methods of Sundarban honey, while Bangladesh's contribution remains overlooked.
Way forward
Given the ongoing disputes surrounding GIs between Bangladesh and India, questions loom over the equitable recognition of trans-border GIs of Bangladesh. One can safely say that these are not the last incidents between Bangladesh and India. Without any established legal framework, tensions may continue to rise regarding trans-border GI protection. Given the contingency of geographical proximity and shared natural resources, Bangladesh should find a mechanism to systematically protect its GIs and look for a predictable legal solution to address the issue of GI conflicts of shared geographical resources. In view of that, we would like to make the following recommendations:
- It is important to have an assessment of the list of Bangladeshi GIs. There is a need to be clear on which Bangladeshi GIs have export potential, especially in Lisbon contracting states. Converting these into global products is essential to fully reap the benefits.
- GIs must be secured for all products with geographic reputation and export potential. The prerequisite for any country to protect its origin-based traditional products is to register them first in the country of origin.
- To seek protection internationally, GIs must be registered separately in each jurisdiction where protection is desired, often through bilateral agreements. The Lisbon Agreement for the Protection of Appellations of Origin and their International Registration (1958) can also be utilised. The Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications, adopted on May 20, 2015, revised the pre-existing Lisbon Agreement. Although the number of signatories to this act is still limited to 44 countries, it could be an important first step for extending supranational protection of GIs alongside Appellations of Origin (AOs).
- Registering collective marks for the country's GIs should also be given thought. The primary purpose of collective marks is to indicate the origin of products within an association. Even if the association is geographically based or has specific standards for membership, other associations from the same region with different standards or features can coexist without confusing consumers about the origin of the trademark. A regionally based collective mark, such as a GI, not only indicates the origin of the product but also serves as a brand. Protecting GI products as "collective marks" within the trademark system opens up the possibility of using the international Madrid System, administered by WIPO, to file international trademark registrations after registration in the home country. The Madrid System offers a convenient and cost-effective solution for registering and managing trademarks worldwide. By filing a single international trademark application and paying one set of fees, protection can be sought in up to 131 countries. However, it is important to note that marks are vulnerable to revocation if they have not been used in a real and effective manner within a certain period after registration, often five years.
- To safeguard products with geographic reputations, constant monitoring of the GI Journal of other countries, particularly of those having shared borders with Bangladesh, is necessary to prevent wrongful registration of GIs for Bangladeshi products.
- In case of any GI conflict with another nation, bilateral consultations and legal recourse should be pursued.
- In alignment with Articles 22-24, Part II, Section 3, of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), each WTO member has an international obligation to ensure that a GI product genuinely originates from their territory. If there is confusion about the geographical origin, the concerned members should seek a mutually agreed upon solution.
- If a GI is believed to be wrongfully appropriated by another nation and bilateral negotiations cannot resolve the issue, an appeal can be made to the High Court for its cancellation. Upon receipt of an application in the prescribed format from any aggrieved party, the Registrar or the High Court has the authority to issue an order to cancel or vary the registration of a GI based on "any contravention or failure" to observe a condition entered on the register in relation to the GI.
- Indeed if bilateral consultations and legal recourse through the country court system do not work, the case could be taken to the WTO dispute settlement mechanism (which remains dysfunctional at the moment due to the absence of an adequate number of judges) under a possible TRIPS Agreement violation.
- To protect trans-border GIs effectively across borders, Bangladesh and India need to adopt a collaborative approach instead of a competing one based on shared understanding and mutual consultations. A joint binational approach for exploiting trans-border GIs would be the best commercial strategy to enhance the recognition and value of the shared resources of both countries in international markets.
- While there is a long way to go in establishing a system for shared protection of trans-border GIs, it is recommended that Bangladesh sign a regional agreement with the EU if it hasn't yet and accede to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement (2015). Subsequently, through mutual understanding between the two neighbouring countries, potential avenues for joint protection should be explored.
- Once both Bangladesh and India sign up for the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement 2015, discussions can be initiated on submitting joint applications under the act for all trans-border GIs since the accession of the EU to the Geneva Act of the Lisbon Agreement means that as soon as any third country joins the agreement, their GIs will gain protection throughout the EU as well through the Lisbon system.
- To secure and reap the benefits from GI recognition, the government's role is necessary, but the role of producers is inevitable. Although 28 GI products have been registered in Bangladesh, none have been exported with the GI tag, indicating a failure on the exporters' part. Eligible businesses must contact the GI owner organisations to benefit from premium export prices.
- Furthermore, it has not been decided who will approve the GI tags to be used by exporters. The relevant government authority needs to address this issue.
- Producers must be vigilant to ensure that no one unlawfully registers a GI for their products within the country or in neighbouring jurisdictions.
- Commercialisation is required, but the downstream distribution of benefits is also a concern. It must be ensured that GI protection has the potential to improve the conditions of farmers and rural producers, who often do not see the benefits of intellectual property protection in a globalised world.
There is much work to be done before Bangladesh can reap the benefits of any GI registration and effectively safeguard its GIs. By implementing these recommendations, Bangladesh can better protect its GIs, resolve conflicts, and maximise the economic and cultural benefits of its unique products.
Debapriya Bhattacharya is distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).
Naima Jahan Trisha is currently working as a programme associate at CPD.
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India continues to spread anti-Bangladesh propaganda: Fakhrul
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam warned people against continuous Indian propaganda against Bangladesh.
en.prothomalo.com
India continues to spread anti-Bangladesh propaganda: Fakhrul
Correspondent
Thakurgaon
Published: 13 Nov 2024, 16: 23
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam talks with journalists at his hometown Thakurgaon on 13 November Prothom Alo
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam warned people against continuous Indian propaganda against Bangladesh.
“India has been continuously spreading propaganda against Bangladesh. We have to be cautious about this, otherwise we will face grave danger as a nation,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam told journalists at his Thakurgaon residence.
He also said some people are specifically trying to destroy the achievements of the country in social media.
“We cannot afford any more calamities at this moment. We have danger looming as the lynchpin of fascism is staying in India,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam said.
The BNP secretary general said Awami League has successfully divided the nation.
“We want to reject this divide and want a united nation. There would be different opinions in a democratic society. But there should be unity in fundamental issues such as independence, sovereignty, democracy and the rights of people. We must not be intolerant as a nation. We should practice tolerance. Removing the mess of 17 years is not possible within 17 days or even 17 months. That’s why this government should be given time.
But the current government does not need to start all reforms. It can be done by the next elected parliament.”
Mirza Fakhrul also said BNP does not support Proportional Representation (PR) system as implementing this electoral system is not possible in the country.
Thakurgaon district BNP’s general secretary Mirza Faisal Amin, Thakurgaon-3 constituency’s former lawmaker Jahidur Rahman, pourashava BNP’s president Shariful Islam, district BNP’s joint secretary Poigam Ali, among others, were present during Mirza Fakhrul’s media briefing at his home town.
Correspondent
Thakurgaon
Published: 13 Nov 2024, 16: 23
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam talks with journalists at his hometown Thakurgaon on 13 November Prothom Alo
BNP secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam warned people against continuous Indian propaganda against Bangladesh.
“India has been continuously spreading propaganda against Bangladesh. We have to be cautious about this, otherwise we will face grave danger as a nation,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam told journalists at his Thakurgaon residence.
He also said some people are specifically trying to destroy the achievements of the country in social media.
“We cannot afford any more calamities at this moment. We have danger looming as the lynchpin of fascism is staying in India,” Mirza Fakhrul Islam said.
The BNP secretary general said Awami League has successfully divided the nation.
“We want to reject this divide and want a united nation. There would be different opinions in a democratic society. But there should be unity in fundamental issues such as independence, sovereignty, democracy and the rights of people. We must not be intolerant as a nation. We should practice tolerance. Removing the mess of 17 years is not possible within 17 days or even 17 months. That’s why this government should be given time.
But the current government does not need to start all reforms. It can be done by the next elected parliament.”
Mirza Fakhrul also said BNP does not support Proportional Representation (PR) system as implementing this electoral system is not possible in the country.
Thakurgaon district BNP’s general secretary Mirza Faisal Amin, Thakurgaon-3 constituency’s former lawmaker Jahidur Rahman, pourashava BNP’s president Shariful Islam, district BNP’s joint secretary Poigam Ali, among others, were present during Mirza Fakhrul’s media briefing at his home town.
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We may have our differences but you are right here. I don't agree with @Bilal9 cherry picking. Hopefully he will have a reasonable explanation to this or at least be neutral from now on.
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- Jan 24, 2024
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There is no cherry picking going on. @Dogun18 I have explained it privately to you. Let's keep it private please.
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Upon discussion with some members, Bengali videos for now will not be posted any longer.
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Playing the minority card
THERE is no hide and seek that India has huge discomfort and embarrassment about the political changeover in Bangladesh that took place on August 5. India ventilates its discomfort and embarrassment in different political, diplomatic and media presentations, talking about the concern for the...
www.newagebd.net
Playing the minority card
Mohammad Abdur Razzak 14 November, 2024, 23:13
THERE is no hide and seek that India has huge discomfort and embarrassment about the political changeover in Bangladesh that took place on August 5. India ventilates its discomfort and embarrassment in different political, diplomatic and media presentations, talking about the concern for the security of minorities, specially the Hindus in Bangladesh. Concern was first expressed in a message by the Indian prime minister on his X handle while he greeted the chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh on August 8. He also hoped ‘for early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minorities’ in Bangladesh.
Majority and minority are collective expression of population, often based on religion. Religion is one of the statistical parameters used in population census. Belongingness to a religion is not a national identity. Irrespective of religious attachment, citizens’ fundamental identity is that they are Bangladeshis.
Bangladesh has been one of the best places in the world, setting the highest example of inter-racial and inter-religious harmony. Going by religion-based statistics, majority of the people in Bangladesh practise Islam. The second largest group of people practises Hinduism. The third largest group practises Buddhism. The fourth largest group of population by religion is Christian. There are smaller groups of population who practise their own religions. People of all faiths have been practising their religious rites freely even after Islam was adopted as the state religion in 1988.
Bangladesh on June 9, 1988 adopted Islam as the state religion. On the same day, retired major general Chitta Ranjan Dutta Bir Uttam led the formation of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council in protest at the adoption of Islam as the state religion. The official declaration was made after some days.
The organisation was formed with the objective to protect rights of religious and national minorities in Bangladesh. Over the years, it has pursued many agendas and slogans analogous to political mantras. Eventually, it has taken the shape of a politico-religious organisation under a religious banner.
After the political changeover on August 5, the organisation undertook programmes that could be likened to political activism. The organisation brought out processions in Dhaka and in outlying areas demanding safety, citing attacks on the Hindus. There was hardly any act of vengeance by the Muslims against the Hindus. There were a couple of incidents against bt the Muslims and the Hindus as well, deeply indulged in unethical political activities. The organisation attempted to portray the incidents of political vengeance as attacks on the Hindus.
Political movements in the form of street procession and sit-in by the Hindu-dominated organisation were negatively implicating the Buddhists and the Christians and they did not have a third-party political agenda to advance. Perhaps because of disagreement of the Buddhists and the Christians on motivated political activism, the organisation withdrew from partisan activities such as demonstrations on the road, rallies, etc. ISKCON, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, came at play to play the minority card.
ISKCON Bangladesh brought out processions and held rallies in a couple of cities citing the insecurity of the Hindus. ISKCON held its largest demonstration in Chattogram and Indian mainstream media, bloggers and Youtubers flooded the channels with streams of disinformation.
ISKCON was founded in New York on July 13, 1966. The purpose of founding ISKCON in the United States under the religious banner was to present it as a non-political organisation. The underlying objective was to make it a pro-Indian lobbying group like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to advocate policies to the legislative and executive branches of the United States to promote Indian interests. From the beginning, the organisation was mired in controversies and has not fared well in the United States.
ISKCON has its headquarters now in Mayapur in Nadia, West Bengal. It started operating in Bangladesh, perhaps, in the mid-1990s with its Bangladesh head office located in Dhaka. It is not certain if it was registered with any government agencies.
ISKCON built ISKCON centres in different parts of the country. Besides building centres and temples, ISKCON also took over the charge of temples from local Hindu communities. Till 2004, ISKCON Bangladesh had only 1,900 members. Now it has more than 35,000 members. In 2009 it administered 35 temples in the country. Now, there are 71 temple/temple complex/ISKCON centres in the country. According to the South Asia Journal online as of October 29, 2019, the expansion of ISKCON has made it aggressive.
Former Indian high commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla in his address at a programme at Sri Sri Radha Madhav Jiu Temple of ISKCON at Jugaltilla in Sylhet on February 22, 2018 said that the Indian government had funded two projects at the ISKCON centres in Sylhet and Savar. The amount was Tk 74 million and Tk 55.4 million respectively, as the media reported that time. It was also revealed that the Indian government is ’supportive’ of ISKCON’s activities in Bangladesh and funds projects.
There is a third organisation called the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance. According to Wikipedia, the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance is also apparently a non-political and Hindu religious organisation. It was formed as an alliance of 23 Hindu religious organisations on September 17, 2006 with an aim to bond the Hindu community, protect and serve Hinduism and to realise the religious, social, cultural and political rights of the Hindus in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance is also not free of controversies. There are allegations against the organisation of various communal incitements, with banners in the Hindi language despite being a Bangladeshi organisation and the use of “Bharat mata ki jai” (Long live, Mother India) slogan at the end of speeches and creating controversy about a number of Hindus martyred in Bangladesh’s liberation war. However, after the July uprising, while the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council and ISKCON attempted to create social vortex towards a motivated political end, as popularly said, the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance took a different position, spreading a counter-narrative to disinformation by the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council and ISKCON.
The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance chair in a couple of media interviews countered disinformation propagated by the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council, ISKCON and Indian media. He noted that the Hindus suffered most persecution during the rule of the Awami League by its party people, but the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council and ISKCON were silent. Even influential Hindu leaders in the Awami League government did not come forward to give the victims even a atient hearing. In some areas, Hindu leaders tortured their own community people. A former Hindu member of parliament for the Barguna constituency 1 is one example. There were a couple of media reports against a former inspector general of police who snatched land from a large number of Hindu people to build his Savana Resort beside the Jajira point on Bhanga Expressway. Leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council, ISKCON and Hindu political leaders in the Awami League government supposedly had the knowledge of this forceful acquisition of land from the Hindus. But none raised voice to protect them. This was the common stand of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council, ISKCON and Hindu political leaders before August 5.
But, after the political changeover, the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council, followed by ISKCON, swung into political activism to divide society along the religious line. This has certainly damaged the dignity and ideological values of ordinary people belonging to the religious groups. By playing the minority card, they are not doing any good to the people of Bangladesh, irrespective of their faith.
Mohammad Abdur Razzak (safera690@yahoo.com), a retired commodore of the Bangladesh navy, is a security analyst.
Mohammad Abdur Razzak 14 November, 2024, 23:13
THERE is no hide and seek that India has huge discomfort and embarrassment about the political changeover in Bangladesh that took place on August 5. India ventilates its discomfort and embarrassment in different political, diplomatic and media presentations, talking about the concern for the security of minorities, specially the Hindus in Bangladesh. Concern was first expressed in a message by the Indian prime minister on his X handle while he greeted the chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh on August 8. He also hoped ‘for early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minorities’ in Bangladesh.
Majority and minority are collective expression of population, often based on religion. Religion is one of the statistical parameters used in population census. Belongingness to a religion is not a national identity. Irrespective of religious attachment, citizens’ fundamental identity is that they are Bangladeshis.
Bangladesh has been one of the best places in the world, setting the highest example of inter-racial and inter-religious harmony. Going by religion-based statistics, majority of the people in Bangladesh practise Islam. The second largest group of people practises Hinduism. The third largest group practises Buddhism. The fourth largest group of population by religion is Christian. There are smaller groups of population who practise their own religions. People of all faiths have been practising their religious rites freely even after Islam was adopted as the state religion in 1988.
Bangladesh on June 9, 1988 adopted Islam as the state religion. On the same day, retired major general Chitta Ranjan Dutta Bir Uttam led the formation of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council in protest at the adoption of Islam as the state religion. The official declaration was made after some days.
The organisation was formed with the objective to protect rights of religious and national minorities in Bangladesh. Over the years, it has pursued many agendas and slogans analogous to political mantras. Eventually, it has taken the shape of a politico-religious organisation under a religious banner.
After the political changeover on August 5, the organisation undertook programmes that could be likened to political activism. The organisation brought out processions in Dhaka and in outlying areas demanding safety, citing attacks on the Hindus. There was hardly any act of vengeance by the Muslims against the Hindus. There were a couple of incidents against bt the Muslims and the Hindus as well, deeply indulged in unethical political activities. The organisation attempted to portray the incidents of political vengeance as attacks on the Hindus.
Political movements in the form of street procession and sit-in by the Hindu-dominated organisation were negatively implicating the Buddhists and the Christians and they did not have a third-party political agenda to advance. Perhaps because of disagreement of the Buddhists and the Christians on motivated political activism, the organisation withdrew from partisan activities such as demonstrations on the road, rallies, etc. ISKCON, or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, came at play to play the minority card.
ISKCON Bangladesh brought out processions and held rallies in a couple of cities citing the insecurity of the Hindus. ISKCON held its largest demonstration in Chattogram and Indian mainstream media, bloggers and Youtubers flooded the channels with streams of disinformation.
ISKCON was founded in New York on July 13, 1966. The purpose of founding ISKCON in the United States under the religious banner was to present it as a non-political organisation. The underlying objective was to make it a pro-Indian lobbying group like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee to advocate policies to the legislative and executive branches of the United States to promote Indian interests. From the beginning, the organisation was mired in controversies and has not fared well in the United States.
ISKCON has its headquarters now in Mayapur in Nadia, West Bengal. It started operating in Bangladesh, perhaps, in the mid-1990s with its Bangladesh head office located in Dhaka. It is not certain if it was registered with any government agencies.
ISKCON built ISKCON centres in different parts of the country. Besides building centres and temples, ISKCON also took over the charge of temples from local Hindu communities. Till 2004, ISKCON Bangladesh had only 1,900 members. Now it has more than 35,000 members. In 2009 it administered 35 temples in the country. Now, there are 71 temple/temple complex/ISKCON centres in the country. According to the South Asia Journal online as of October 29, 2019, the expansion of ISKCON has made it aggressive.
Former Indian high commissioner Harsh Vardhan Shringla in his address at a programme at Sri Sri Radha Madhav Jiu Temple of ISKCON at Jugaltilla in Sylhet on February 22, 2018 said that the Indian government had funded two projects at the ISKCON centres in Sylhet and Savar. The amount was Tk 74 million and Tk 55.4 million respectively, as the media reported that time. It was also revealed that the Indian government is ’supportive’ of ISKCON’s activities in Bangladesh and funds projects.
There is a third organisation called the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance. According to Wikipedia, the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance is also apparently a non-political and Hindu religious organisation. It was formed as an alliance of 23 Hindu religious organisations on September 17, 2006 with an aim to bond the Hindu community, protect and serve Hinduism and to realise the religious, social, cultural and political rights of the Hindus in Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance is also not free of controversies. There are allegations against the organisation of various communal incitements, with banners in the Hindi language despite being a Bangladeshi organisation and the use of “Bharat mata ki jai” (Long live, Mother India) slogan at the end of speeches and creating controversy about a number of Hindus martyred in Bangladesh’s liberation war. However, after the July uprising, while the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council and ISKCON attempted to create social vortex towards a motivated political end, as popularly said, the Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance took a different position, spreading a counter-narrative to disinformation by the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council and ISKCON.
The Bangladesh National Hindu Grand Alliance chair in a couple of media interviews countered disinformation propagated by the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council, ISKCON and Indian media. He noted that the Hindus suffered most persecution during the rule of the Awami League by its party people, but the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council and ISKCON were silent. Even influential Hindu leaders in the Awami League government did not come forward to give the victims even a atient hearing. In some areas, Hindu leaders tortured their own community people. A former Hindu member of parliament for the Barguna constituency 1 is one example. There were a couple of media reports against a former inspector general of police who snatched land from a large number of Hindu people to build his Savana Resort beside the Jajira point on Bhanga Expressway. Leaders of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council, ISKCON and Hindu political leaders in the Awami League government supposedly had the knowledge of this forceful acquisition of land from the Hindus. But none raised voice to protect them. This was the common stand of the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council, ISKCON and Hindu political leaders before August 5.
But, after the political changeover, the Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist and Christian Unity Council, followed by ISKCON, swung into political activism to divide society along the religious line. This has certainly damaged the dignity and ideological values of ordinary people belonging to the religious groups. By playing the minority card, they are not doing any good to the people of Bangladesh, irrespective of their faith.
Mohammad Abdur Razzak (safera690@yahoo.com), a retired commodore of the Bangladesh navy, is a security analyst.
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Indian media spreading misinformation every day, says home advisor
Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said the Indian media is spreading misinformation about Bangladesh every day and the interim government will protest it. “The home ministry will ask the foreign ministry to issue an official protest, as that ministry handles formal communication with
Indian media spreading misinformation every day, says home advisor
bdnews24.com
Published :
Nov 14, 2024 22:00
Updated :
Nov 14, 2024 22:01
Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said the Indian media is spreading misinformation about Bangladesh every day and the interim government will protest it.
“The home ministry will ask the foreign ministry to issue an official protest, as that ministry handles formal communication with other nations. A strongly worded protest letter will be sent to India on this issue,” he said in response to questions from journalists at a press briefing following the Barishal divisional law and order meeting.
When asked specifically about remarks from an Indian TV anchor regarding Chattogram, the advisor replied, “Stay vigilant on this matter. They are regularly publishing false reports, and I ask for your cooperation in stopping this.
“Report truthfully—if we make an error, tell us, and we’ll correct it. If there’s any corruption on my part, tell me, I’m not hesitant to address it. However, avoid false reporting, as such misinformation will eventually be exposed.
“It’s widely known that Indian reports are often inaccurate. Now, if they publish a true report, people may still doubt its authenticity. We encourage you to use the media as a platform to counter this, as you are our strongest ally in this matter,” he added.
Speaking about the Barishal division’s law and order, he said: “The law and order here is notably better than in other regions. However, road blockades occur occasionally, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to prevent them.”
Jahangir also spoke about the unresolved murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Nahar Runi. “There will be progress this time. A six-month timeframe has been established, and a new investigative team was formed on the IGP’s instructions.”
Jahangir acknowledged issues of public trust in the police force: “Restoring confidence in police will take time, but there has been improvement.
“More progress will come gradually, so patience is essential. Journalists can be instrumental in raising awareness to combat mob justice.”
During this briefing, IGP Moinul Islam, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, Barishal Divisional Commissioner Rayhan Kaosar, Brigadier General Amirul Azim from the 7th Infantry Division, Barishal Police Commissioner Md Shofiqul Islam, and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Delwar Hussain were also in attendance.
bdnews24.com
Published :
Nov 14, 2024 22:00
Updated :
Nov 14, 2024 22:01
Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury has said the Indian media is spreading misinformation about Bangladesh every day and the interim government will protest it.
“The home ministry will ask the foreign ministry to issue an official protest, as that ministry handles formal communication with other nations. A strongly worded protest letter will be sent to India on this issue,” he said in response to questions from journalists at a press briefing following the Barishal divisional law and order meeting.
When asked specifically about remarks from an Indian TV anchor regarding Chattogram, the advisor replied, “Stay vigilant on this matter. They are regularly publishing false reports, and I ask for your cooperation in stopping this.
“Report truthfully—if we make an error, tell us, and we’ll correct it. If there’s any corruption on my part, tell me, I’m not hesitant to address it. However, avoid false reporting, as such misinformation will eventually be exposed.
“It’s widely known that Indian reports are often inaccurate. Now, if they publish a true report, people may still doubt its authenticity. We encourage you to use the media as a platform to counter this, as you are our strongest ally in this matter,” he added.
Speaking about the Barishal division’s law and order, he said: “The law and order here is notably better than in other regions. However, road blockades occur occasionally, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to prevent them.”
Jahangir also spoke about the unresolved murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Nahar Runi. “There will be progress this time. A six-month timeframe has been established, and a new investigative team was formed on the IGP’s instructions.”
Jahangir acknowledged issues of public trust in the police force: “Restoring confidence in police will take time, but there has been improvement.
“More progress will come gradually, so patience is essential. Journalists can be instrumental in raising awareness to combat mob justice.”
During this briefing, IGP Moinul Islam, RAB Director General AKM Shahidur Rahman, Barishal Divisional Commissioner Rayhan Kaosar, Brigadier General Amirul Azim from the 7th Infantry Division, Barishal Police Commissioner Md Shofiqul Islam, and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Delwar Hussain were also in attendance.
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