🇧🇩 Student revolution in Bangladesh-----how does it impact India?

[Saif]

India will always be supportive of Bangladesh’s growth: Modi

In his first public comments on the developments in Bangladesh, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed hope that the situation in the country normalises soon.

"India will always be supportive of the growth and development of its eastern neighbours," Modi said.

He also expressed concern over the security of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and hoped their safety would be ensured, reports our New Delhi correspondent.

"India will always be a well-wisher of Bangladesh's progress," Modi added.

The Indian PM made the remarks during his customary address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort in Delhi this morning.

This was the first time Modi commented on the issue of Bangladesh since weeks of street protests in that country led to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina from power on August 5 and fled to India.

"As a neighbouring country, I can understand the concern regarding whatever has happened in Bangladesh. I hope the situation there gets normal at the earliest. The concerns of 140 crore countrymen to ensure the safety of Hindus and minorities there - India always wants our neighbouring countries to walk the path of prosperity and peace," the Indian PM said.

"India always wants our neighbouring countries to march on the path of prosperity and peace," Modi said adding "We are committed to peace ... In the days to come, we will continue to wish well for Bangladesh in its 'Vikas Yatra' (development journey) because we think about the welfare of humankind," he said.​

 

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Why can’t India accept that the people of Bangladesh toppled Sheikh Hasina?

It was a revolution spearheaded by students that succeeded in toppling a dictatorial regime of 15 years.

www.thedailystar.net

Why can’t India accept that the people of Bangladesh toppled Sheikh Hasina?
It was a revolution spearheaded by students that succeeded in toppling a dictatorial regime of 15 years

Protesters wave Bangladesh's national flag as they celebrate at Shahbag area, near Dhaka university in Dhaka on August 5, 2024. PHOTO: AFP

The most striking feature of Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar's statement at the Lok Sabha on August 6 was the complete absence of the Awami League government's egregious violation of human rights, and the killings of over 400 people (as documented so far), including youth, since July 16.

He began setting up a context for the people's uprising saying that there had been "considerable tensions, deep divides and growing polarisation in Bangladesh politics" since the January election. "This underlying foundation aggravated a student agitation that started in June this year," he continued. "There was growing violence, including attacks on public buildings and infrastructure, as well as traffic and rail obstructions. The violence continued through the month of July."

While there was dissatisfaction over the 2024 election—as well as the previous two elections—the quota reform protests did not really have much to do with that. It began as merely a student movement asking for reforms in the existing quota system in public service recruitment, which turned into an anti-government movement much later due to the government's brutal crackdown on protesters.

Jaishankar's statement does not even hint that Sheikh Hasina's government reacted with overwhelmingly excessive force against students, and police opened fire on protesters with live rounds, killing more than 400 people in the span of 23 days. The ruling party unleashed its student cadres, the Chhatra League, armed with machetes and firearms, on the unarmed protesters. It was only after then that attacks on public buildings began, which no one condoned.

Jaishankar went on to note that "Despite a Supreme Court judgement on 21 July, there was no let-up in the public agitation." He added, "Various decisions and actions taken thereafter only exacerbated the situation. The agitation at this stage coalesced around a one-point agenda, that is that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina should step down."

Since the Indian foreign minister glosses over the former government's brutality, it appears to paint the democratic movement behind Sheikh Hasina's fall with a nefarious intention from its genesis—which fits into the Awami League's narrative—that this was a movement fomented by the BNP, Jamaat or even external forces such as the US. This is far removed from the reality of the Bangladeshi public sentiment. Sheikh Hasina's government murdered so many people before meeting the quota demands. There was a nationwide internet blackout for five days. The student movement had nine demands before the hearing and verdict, including an apology from the ousted prime minister and resignation of former ministers, including Obaidul Quader and Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, for abusing law enforcement.

On the surface, the government said it was open to negotiations with students, yet there were block raids during the nights where law enforcers came hunting for students. More than 11,000 people were arrested in just two weeks. Innocent children were put in jails and framed for murders committed by the police—even ones that were recorded, like Abu Sayed's. The "step down" demand came to the fore on August 3. It was certainly not soon after the court verdict, when the situation was still reversible had Hasina wished to apologise and reconcile. But that was simply out of the question for an increasingly egotistical autocrat.

Jaishankar then jumps to August 4, when he says, "Events took a very serious turn." It did indeed. Awami League had by then decided to unleash its full force onto the protesters, who took to the streets despite the curfew, only to face the police baby-sitting armed goons of the Awami League. Violence shook the nation; the death toll kept climbing to nearly 100 people—the highest and deadliest ever for a single-day protest in the nation's history. Public anger only mounted; student protesters called for a "March to Dhaka" on August 5. In response, hundreds of thousands took to the streets in Dhaka and other surrounding towns ready to converge on Shahbag.

That was when the law enforcers realised the situation was beyond salvation and counselled Sheikh Hasina to leave. Initially, she reportedly refused and urged for using even more force to subdue the crowd. The army refused. Hasina was finally convinced to leave. It was a revolution spearheaded by students that succeeded in toppling a dictatorial regime of 15 years.

The fact that the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami took advantage of what turned into an anti-government campaign and publicly supported it was public knowledge. But entire communities—civilians from all walks of life—came out in support of the campaigners; the nation stood united against the ruling party. Hospitals gave free medical support, and general people donated to their common funds for food and water. Everyone sympathised with the protesters who were braving bullets on the streets and torture in the jail cells. Six coordinators were detained by the police and confined at the detective bureau against their will for several days without any regard for law or their rights.

What followed after she left her official residence was an outpouring of pent-up hatred for anything and everything linked to Hasina and the Awami League. Desecration of Sheikh Mujib's statues and murals and even his residence in Dhanmondi was heart-wrenching and hurt millions of Bangladeshis.

With the police gone and no law and order in place, minorities became an unfortunate target. The Daily Star reported violence against Hindu homes and businesses in 27 districts on August 5. These crimes must be investigated as the police are getting back on duty.

Hasina's Awami League consciously colluded with the religious fundamentalists, placating them and pandering to them to keep them at bay, only to make sure that Hasina remained at the helm without too much trouble from the right. It was the Awami League government that changed school textbooks, took out pieces by Hindu authors to replace them with stories and poems by unknown Muslim authors. Pictures and drawings were changed exactly as demanded.Besides restoring democracy, reviving the truly secular mindset of the masses is another uphill task that Bangladesh will have to undertake, now that Awami League is gone.

But, back to Jaishankar's statement: the blatant disregard for brewing tension among Bangladeshis, Awami League's intolerance for dissent and telltale signs of the Hasina regime turning into a classic autocrat shows a rather myopic and oversimplified Indian take of what is happening in Bangladesh. Jaishankar's articulate and witty tete-a-tetes with journalists or at discussion panels around the world convincingly demonstrates that he does not lack the calibre to appreciate these nuances. One wonders, then, if he had not been properly briefed by his aides on what actually happened in Bangladesh.

Just as this is an opportunity for Bangladesh to rebuild its future free from Awami League's clutches, it is also an opportunity for India to do some introspection. Bangladesh has just witnessed a people's uprising toppling a dictator—which will be a classic textbook case of the fall of an autocratic regime like Ceausescu or Marcos. And yet India remains extremely apprehensive about what is to come. India built relations with Awami League instead of Bangladesh. The Indian establishment has been more than happy to support Awami League for expedience despite its faults, and in the process alienated the people of the country. Today, with the ouster of Hasina and the Awami League, India is quite naturally seeing more than its fair share of criticism and dip in popularity.

It is really high time that Jaishankar asked his aides, or whoever is in charge of setting the Bangladesh agenda, how India backed itself to such a corner that it cannot join in the jubilation of a nation or empathise with our celebrations. He should ask how it is that India fails to see the new regime as a result of the mass people's uprising that it was, and why it needs to distort it by labelling it as the machinations of Pakistan, China or the US. Why is it that when we are relieved to have rid ourselves of a dictator, India is apprehensive that the djinn is out of the bottle?

Tanim Ahmed is a journalist at The Daily Star.​

 

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Bangladesh-India relations face trial of fire

The honeymoon between the two neighbours was stretching on over of the last one and a half decades. Then the present events took place. In face of the student-people's movement, Sheikh Hasina on 5 August resigned as prime minister and went to India along with certain others. And this opened a...

en.prothomalo.com

Bangladesh-India relations face trial of fire

Extremely exceptional circumstances prevail in Bangladesh's social and political scenario and it is essential that India gives this matter dispassionate consideration. Had the elections in Bangladesh over the past years been inclusive and had Indian policymakers played a positive role in this regard rather than deliberate nonchalance, perhaps the present scenario would not have arisen. Altaf Parvez writes on the present state of Bangladesh-India relations.
Altaf Parvez

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has visited India many times. She has been accorded huge receptions. But the significance and response this time was different for both sides.

The July-August change of political scenario in Bangladesh has had a deep impact on Bangladesh-India relations. As India is a large neighbour, it is also important on the part of Bangladesh to pay due attention to the prevailing tensions. It is essential for both sides to look into how normalcy can be restored to these relations and on equal footing.

New chapter in relations after Sheikh Hasina reaches India

The honeymoon between the two neighbours was stretching on over of the last one and a half decades. Then the present events took place. In face of the student-people's movement, Sheikh Hasina on 5 August resigned as prime minister and went to India along with certain others. And this opened a new chapter in India-Bangladesh politics.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina has visited India many times. She has been accorded huge receptions. But the significance and response this time was different for both sides.

The matter of Sheikh Hasina taking shelter in India or of the Indian authorities providing her with protection, is being given significant attention in Bangladesh. India, though, has said that it was obliged to provide shelter in the sudden unforeseen circumstances. But it is not clear in New Delhi whether the India administration provided her shelter as a "refugee" or under any other status. India has no clear refugee policy or law. Shelter is provided on political considerations.

Over the past 15 years during the Awami League rule, New Delhi got the Hasina government to fulfill many of its wants, but did not reciprocate with Teesta water or other needs of the people this side of the border

Bangladesh situation can put BJP in a difficult situation

After Sheikh Hasina left the country and went to India, certain members of her family and of her party have been expressing their displeasure in the media. They are not accepting the change and are blaming various opponents. That is not unnatural.

No deposed powers in world history have wanted to accept their immediate helpless state or understand reality. But questions have arisen in diplomatic circles as to whether India will continue to lean towards Awami League's contentions. As it is, surprise has been expressed in the diplomatic arena over India's Sheikh Hasina policy. The question is -- why have they given their backing and support for such an extended period to a single party and government that was so unpopular among the people.

There is also a question as to whether India's Bangladesh policy created this downfall.

Over the past 15 years during the Awami League rule, New Delhi got the Hasina government to fulfill many of its wants, but did not reciprocate with Teesta water or other needs of the people this side of the border. All this simply served to hammer in more nails in the coffin of the unpopular government.

Doubts have arisen as to whether the India diplomatic and intelligence sources were accurately apprised of the reality on ground. The Indian media too is now probing into whether this was failure or obstinacy on the part of the Indian intelligence structure and diplomatic team. In New Delhi many are not contesting the issue and are accepting that they are in "dire straits" in Dhaka.

There are all indications that anti-BJP quarters will project this as a failure of the Modi government. Already Congress' Manish Tewari has placed a notice in the Lok Sabha asking for the government's statement on the situation in Bangladesh. The very day that Sheikh Hasina resigned, Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi said in The Hindu that the events in Bangladesh were bad precedence from the angle of India's geopolitical interests.

Outside of these reactions and counter reactions in India's national politics, many independent analysts there are also raising the question, what message does India want to give the people of Bangladesh, who are aspiring for change, by displaying sympathy for a government that fell amidst unpopularity, protest and which carried out a cruel killing spree? In considerations of long-term diplomacy, are these astute decisions on the part of India? Instead of rectifying past mistakes, will they exacerbate these further.

Bangladesh's new govt faces diplomatic challenges too

After Sheikh Hasina took shelter in India, Bangladesh has dissolved the parliament and an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus has been installed in power. This government basically is an election-time non-partisan government. But even though it is a temporary government, it will require support and assistance of the international community. India's role and cooperation is important and necessary too. Bangladesh's multidimensional trade relations with its neighbour cannot be ignored either.

Bangladeshi nationals go in large numbers to India on a regular basis for education, medical treatment and all sorts of reasons. This is a significant source of revenue for India too. Normal relations are required in the interests of both countries. But after the former prime minister left the country, the Indian attitude being aired from various quarters is disconcerting for Bangladesh's new government. Train service between the two countries has come to a halt. It is reported that the brakes have been pulled on the trucks at the land ports too.

Experience of the past five decades says such meaningful relations will only be sustainable if there is equality in relationship and a policy of non-interference in each other's domestic affairs

In the meantime, Sajib Wazed Joy, son of the former prime minister, told Reuters on Saturday that his mother didn't resign before going to India and that she is still the prime minister of Bangladesh. Yes just a few days ago, in his first reaction on the ongoing events, he said that his mother was no longer willing to do politics. His new claim implies that India is sheltering Bangladesh's prime minister.

For valid reasons such statements have caused displeasure among the forces of change in Bangladesh. There is the apprehension that this will spark off agitation in a situation where peace and order is gradually being restored. It is clear that in keeping with Joy's statement if the former prime minister wants to carry out any political or administrative activities from India, this will not be taken well by the new political forces in Bangladesh. These rising forces are keeping sharp watch in India's role.

The local people here already are suspecting that India may be trying to cast a slur on the new political realities and new government in Bangladesh. Such suspicions are creating strong pressure on bilateral relations of the two countries. So rebuilding ties with the large neighbour poses as a challenge to the interim government. Also, this situation has created an unnecessary and unwarranted pressure on communal relations within Bangladesh. The situation demands New Delhi give the matter in-depth consideration.

Political analysts say the extremely exceptional circumstances that have emerged in Bangladesh's society and political urgently requires India's dispassionate consideration. There is no scope to overlook this. Had the elections in Bangladesh over the past years been inclusive and had Indian policymakers played a positive role in this regard rather than deliberate nonchalance, perhaps the present scenario would not have arisen. That questionable strategy served to accelerate the change in public psyche, resulting in the events of July-August 2024. This Bangladesh cannot be comprehended with conventional worn-out diplomatic mindsets. Rather that favouring any particular party or group, India needs to speedily reach out to the public psyche.

The various governments of Bangladesh have been adept at dealing with the Congress, BJP, Janata Dal governments in India in the past. India urgently needs to also become acclimatised to dealing with all political parties of its neighouring country. It needs to understand and respect the aspirations and expectation of the young generation here. That is the way for New Delhi to pull out from the "dire straits".

At the same time the new government in Bangladesh must continue by all means to endeavour keeping ties with India normal in order to take forward the task of political reforms. There is no alternative but to maintain good relations with a neighbour with whom we have a border almost 2500 miles long. There is no scope to give upon this.

Given the circumstances on both sides, on 9 August the Indian prime minister felicitated the chief advisor of the interim government in Bangladesh. That is a positive sign. Everyone hopes that these mutual good wishes will continue in the days to come. After all, good relations between Bangladesh and Pakistan are essential for the overall security of South Asia.

As violence and agitation spreads in Manipur and Myanmar, any diplomatic distance between Bangladesh and India will simply increase the complexities in regional geopolitics. But experience of the past five decades says such meaningful relations will only be sustainable if there is equality in relationship and a policy of non-interference in each other's domestic affairs.

* Altaf Parvez is a researcher on South Asian History​

 

[Saif]

Ouster of Bangladesh ally a diplomatic dilemma for India

The ouster of Bangladesh's autocratic premier sparked celebrations in Dhaka this week but alarm in neighbouring India, which backed Sheikh Hasina to counter rival China and quash Islamist alternatives, analysts say. It has created a diplomatic dilemma for the regional powerhouse. Hasina, 76...

en.prothomalo.com

Ouster of Bangladesh ally a diplomatic dilemma for India
AFP
Published: 11 Aug 2024, 13: 00

The protesting students brought out a procession under the banner of ‘Anti-Discriminatory Student Movement’ which proceeded through different roads on the campus, Doyel Chattar, Supreme Court and ended at the Shahbagh intersection Prothom Alo file photo

The ouster of Bangladesh's autocratic premier sparked celebrations in Dhaka this week but alarm in neighbouring India, which backed Sheikh Hasina to counter rival China and quash Islamist alternatives, analysts say.

It has created a diplomatic dilemma for the regional powerhouse.

Hasina, 76, quit as prime minister in the face of a student-led uprising on Monday and fled by helicopter to longtime ally New Delhi.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first to offer his "best wishes" after Bangladesh's newly sworn-in interim leader Muhammad Yunus took power Thursday, saying New Delhi was "committed" to working with Dhaka.

But China was also swift to welcome Dhaka's new authorities, saying it "attaches importance to the development" of relations.

With Hasina's rivals in control in Dhaka, India's support for the old government has come back to bite.

"From the point of view of Bangladeshis, India has been on the wrong side for a couple of years now," said International Crisis Group analyst Thomas Kean.

"The Indian government absolutely did not want to see a change in Dhaka, and had made that very clear for years that they didn't see any alternative to Hasina and the Awami League."

'Detrimental'

Bangladesh is almost entirely encircled by India, with a deeply intertwined history long before they were partitioned out of the Indian subcontinent in 1947.

But while India's 1.4 billion population and dominating economy overshadows Bangladesh -- with a population of 170 million -- Hasina also courted China.

India and China, the world's two most populous nations, are intense rivals competing for strategic influence across South Asia, including in Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Hasina pursued a delicate balancing act, benefiting from support from New Delhi, while maintaining strong relations with Beijing.

New Delhi saw a common threat in groups Hasina viewed as rivals and crushed with brutal force, including the key Bangladesh National Party (BNP).

"India... worried that any alternative to Hasina and the Awami League could be detrimental to Indian interests," said Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Washington-based Wilson Center.

"In New Delhi's view, the BNP and its allies are dangerous Islamist forces that could imperil Indian interests."

Yunus has said he wants elections in Bangladesh "within a few months".

The BNP could be poised for a comeback, holding a mass rally in Dhaka this week.

In the immediate aftermath of Hasina's fall, some businesses and homes owned by Hindus were attacked, a group seen by some in Muslim-majority Bangladesh as having been her supporters.

Hundreds of Bangladeshi Hindus this week arrived on India's border, asking to cross.

Hindu nationalist leader Modi on Thursday said he hoped "for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities."

'She will go back'

The fact Hasina is sheltering in India may prove to be a stumbling block to relations between New Delhi and Dhaka.

Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar told parliament Hasina had flown to India "at very short notice", and according to Indian media, intended to stay only briefly in transit.

But her reported bid to travel onwards to Britain was scuppered after London called for a "full and independent UN-led investigation" into the deadly crackdown on protests in the last weeks of her rule.

The United States in the past had praised Hasina's economic track record and saw her as a partner on priorities such as countering Islamist extremism, but Washington more recently imposed visa sanctions over concerns about democracy.

It is not clear how long she will now stay in India, or where else she might go.

Since arriving at military airbase near New Delhi, she has been hosted in a secret safe house and not spoken publicly.

Her daughter Saima Wazed said she was "heartbroken" she could not see her mother.

"As much as I would love to see Ma, I don't want to compromise her whereabouts in any way", Wazed, the World Health Organization's Southeast Asia chief, said in a since-deleted post on social media platform X.

Her son Sajeeb Wazed Joy told the Times of India newspaper his mother still hoped to contest for political office.

"She will go back to Bangladesh the moment the interim government decides to hold an election," he said.

'Earned the enmity'

Indian media warn of the "formidable diplomatic challenge" the country now faces.

"New Delhi must actively work to limit the damage, and ensure the high stakes in the relationship are protected," the Indian Express newspaper warned. "This could involve some near-term setbacks."

But Bangladesh's new leader Yunus has offered an olive branch.

"Although some countries, such as India, backed the ousted prime minister and earned the enmity of the Bangladeshi people as a result, there will be many opportunities to heal these kinds of rifts," Yunus wrote in The Economist, shortly before returning to Bangladesh.

Crisis Group's Kean meanwhile said he believes the nations will put the past aside for pragmatic relations.

"India is Bangladesh's most important international partner, and there's no reason that they can't find a way to move forward from this," said Kean.

"Economic forces will compel them to work together."​

 

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Sajeeb remark inroad into Bangladesh’s sovereignty

THE statement of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of the deposed prime minister Shiekh Hasina who fled to India on August 5 after her resignation in the face of weeks of bloodied...

www.newagebd.net

Sajeeb remark inroad into Bangladesh’s sovereignty
16 August, 2024, 00:00

THE statement of Sajeeb Wazed Joy, the son of the deposed prime minister Shiekh Hasina who fled to India on August 5 after her resignation in the face of weeks of bloodied student-led mass uprising, that he made to the Indian Express reposing trust in India that New Delhi would ensure that elections in Bangladesh are held within ‘the constitutional time frame of 90 days’ not only makes, by implication, inroads into the sovereignty of Bangladesh but also constitutes an insult to Bangladesh and its citizens. Sajeeb Wazed, who was the information and communication technology adviser to Hasina and now stays in the United States, also said, as the Indian Express reported on August 14, that he would ‘urge Delhi to take a leadership role’ and ensure that ‘the constitution of Bangladesh is upheld.’ This is nothing short of inviting foreign intervention in the internal state of affairs of Bangladesh which should be construed as treasonous. The downfall of the Awami League ended about 15 years of its authoritarian rule when Sheikh Hasina made her regime free of opposition by trampling the people’s electoral rights in all three national elections in January 2014, December 2018 and January 2024 that ultimately caused the disenfranchisement of citizens and left the Election Commission in a pitiable condition.

The statement that Sajeeb Wazed has made also lends credence to the popular perception that New Delhi has played a role in buttressing Sheikh Hasina, in elections and at other times, for the Awami League to cling to power. Citizens — not all of them, of course — could easily guess, although they might not have known it for certain, that India has played the unwarranted role all along. Even during the run-up to the January 2024 national elections, India assumed an overtly neutral role but made efforts to retain Sheikh Hasina in power. Dhaka has given New Delhi almost all that it has wanted whilst New Delhi has always been reluctant at resolving all the prickly issues that the two neighbours have had unsettled all the while. All such happenings and their premonition have gradually given rise to an all-pervasive sentiment among Bangladeshis against India. India’s leverage over the regime of Sheikh Hasina, which was by and large not well received in Bangladesh, both in general and political spheres, tends to rear its head in the statement that the son of the deposed prime minister made to the Indian newspaper. And, this shows that Sheikh Hasina and her family have also believed in what people in Bangladesh generally felt about India, which appears to have always thrown its weight behind Sheikh Hasina’s regime.

And, this also holds true about the Awami League as a whole as several of Hasina’s ministers and some ranking Awami League leaders have displayed such a servile dependence on New Delhi by making statements that created controversies and were severely criticised by people. All this also shows that the Awami League, Sheikh Hasina, her family and her attendants have always depended on New Delhi rather than on the people of Bangladesh. And, her son, unfortunately, keeps tolling the same bell, well after Hasina’s deposal.​

 

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Bangladesh a clear reminder of how precious liberty is for us: Indian CJ

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasised the importance of liberty and freedom during the 78th Independence Day event in India. Highlighting India’s choice of freedom in 1950, Chandrachud compared it to current events in Bangladesh, pointing out the precious nature of these values. He

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh a clear reminder of how precious liberty is for us: Indian CJ
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Aug 15, 2024 21:02
Updated :
Aug 15, 2024 21:02

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud | Photo Credit: ANI

Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasised the importance of liberty and freedom during the 78th Independence Day event in India. Highlighting India’s choice of freedom in 1950, Chandrachud compared it to current events in Bangladesh, pointing out the precious nature of these values. He also spoke about the duties of citizens in realising the values of the constitution, Times of India reports.

“This day we honour the commitment of who lives this life to make it greater and who is working to make it greater. We all speak about the Constitution in the backdrop of the colonial era and what our country suffered. This morning I was reading a beautifully written piece by noted Karnataka vocalist Chitra Sri Krishna and the title of the piece is Songs of Freedom. The idea of liberty is woven into the fabric of Indian poetry,” Chandrachud was quoted as saying.

He was also quoted as saying, “We chose in 1950, the uncertainty of freedom, and what is happening today, say, in Bangladesh is a clear reminder of how precious liberty is for us. It is very easy to take freedom and liberty for granted but it is important to understand the past stories to remind us how important these things are.”

Chandrachud also paid tribute to freedom fighters who abandoned their legal careers to join the struggle for independence. Among those he mentioned were Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, Govind Vallabh Pant, Devi Prasad Khaitan, and Sir Syed Mohammed Saadullah, according to the report.

He reportedly highlighted their contributions not only in securing India’s freedom but also in laying the foundation for an independent judiciary

“Many lawyers gave up their legal practices and dedicated themselves to the cause of the nation. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Alladi Krishnaswamy Iyer, Govind Vallabh Pant, Devi Prasad Khaitan, Sir Syed Mohammed Saadullah among so many others. They were instrumental not only in achieving freedom for India but also in establishing a fiercely independent judiciary,” Chandrachud was quoted as saying.

Reflecting on his 24 years as a judge, Chandrachud emphasised the courts’ role in addressing the struggles of ordinary Indians, who come from diverse backgrounds seeking justice, according to the Times of India report.

“As a judge for the past 24 years, I can keep my hand in my heart and say that the work of the courts reflects the struggles of ordinary Indians navigating the rough and tumble of their daily lives. The Supreme Court of India sees throngs of litigants from villages and metropolitan cities of all regions, castes, genders and religions seeking justice. The legal community allows the court to do justice to these citizens in those small a measure,” he was quote as adding.

Chandrachud also touched on the necessity of modern, accessible, and inclusive judicial infrastructure. He stressed that this accessibility not only aids lawyers in their work but also fosters a sense of responsibility towards the judiciary, according to the report.

“The ease of lawyers to navigate the court not only allows them to assist the court with ease and efficiency but also for them to feel a sense of responsibility towards the institution of the judiciary as its custodian in the last six months,” he was quoted as saying.​

 

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Modi voices concern over safety of Hindus in Bangladesh; hopes normalcy soon

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said 1.40 billion Indians are worried about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, who have faced attacks during the recent political unrest in the country following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “1.40 billion Indians are worried abo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Modi voices concern over safety of Hindus in Bangladesh; hopes normalcy soon
FE Online Desk
Published :
Aug 15, 2024 20:29
Updated :
Aug 15, 2024 20:30

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said 1.40 billion Indians are worried about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh, who have faced attacks during the recent political unrest in the country following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

“1.40 billion Indians are worried about the safety of the Hindus, the minorities in Bangladesh,” PM Modi said while delivering his 11th consecutive Independence Day speech at Delhi’s Red Fort, reports UNB.

He said India will always be a well-wisher of Bangladesh’s progress and hoped the situation would normalise in Bangladesh soon. “Indians want the security of Hindus, and minorities there to be ensured,” NDTV quoted him as saying.

During a courtesy meeting with Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Wednesday, the Foreign Affairs Adviser mentioned the “highly exaggerated” media campaign about happenings in Bangladesh.

About former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent statements, he mentioned that such statements emanating from India are “not conducive” to fostering better bilateral relations.

Earlier on August 8, Modi conveyed his best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities.

“We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities,” Modi said.

He said India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development.​

 

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This monumental stupid should know that Bangladesh, Pakistan, and China also have the right to simultaneously invade India for its atrocities against Muslims in Gujarat and Kashmir

Congress legislator urges Modi to consider military action in Bangladesh over Hindu minority atrocities

Expressing concern over the political turmoil and reported atrocities against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, a Karnataka Congress legislator on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to hesitate to take decisive military action like former PM late Indira Gandhi did in 1971, reports econo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Congress legislator urges Modi to consider military action in Bangladesh over Hindu minority atrocities
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Aug 14, 2024 22:38
Updated :
Aug 14, 2024 22:38

Karnataka Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad

Expressing concern over the political turmoil and reported atrocities against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, a Karnataka Congress legislator on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to hesitate to take decisive military action like former PM late Indira Gandhi did in 1971, reports economictimes.indiatimes.com.

Rizwan Arshad, who represents Shivajinagar Assembly constituency in Bengaluru, in a letter to Modi, also appealed to him to take "decisive action" to not only address concerns of minorities in Bangladesh but also in India, who have been under "constant attack both economically and socially by the right wing."

"I write to you today as a concerned citizen of India deeply distressed by the recent reports and videos circulating on social media, highlighting the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh and the atrocities being reported against Hindu minorities in the region," Arshad said.

If these reports are true, given the historical and cultural ties between India and Bangladesh, it is imperative that India takes a "proactive stance" in addressing these issues, he said.

Noting that the safety and well-being of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh should be of paramount concern, the MLA urged the Prime Minister to engage with the new Bangladeshi government to ensure that immediate and effective measures are taken to protect their rights and dignity.

"The right-wing social media influencers and handles in India have been circulating news which if true (many have been found fake too), I urge the Government of India to ascertain the authenticity of these reports/videos. If they are proven true, the Government of India should take firm action," he said.

The people of India have always stood for justice, peace, and the protection of human rights, Arshad said. "As our Prime Minister, you should not hesitate to take decisive military action like Smt. Indira Gandhi did in 1971. I request you to use your esteemed office to extend a hand of support to our Hindu brothers and sisters in Bangladesh during this critical time."

"I trust that under your leadership, India will take decisive action to not only address concerns of minorities in Bangladesh but also in India, who have been under constant attack both economically and socially by the right wing," he said, and requested him to work towards ensuring the safety and security of our Hindu brethren in Bangladesh and fellow citizens, in particular minorities of India.

 

[Bilal9]

This monumental stupid should know that Bangladesh, Pakistan, and China also have the right to simultaneously invade India for its atrocities against Muslims in Gujarat and Kashmir

Congress legislator urges Modi to consider military action in Bangladesh over Hindu minority atrocities

Expressing concern over the political turmoil and reported atrocities against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, a Karnataka Congress legislator on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to hesitate to take decisive military action like former PM late Indira Gandhi did in 1971, reports econo

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Congress legislator urges Modi to consider military action in Bangladesh over Hindu minority atrocities
FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Aug 14, 2024 22:38
Updated :
Aug 14, 2024 22:38

View attachment 7496
Karnataka Congress MLA Rizwan Arshad

Expressing concern over the political turmoil and reported atrocities against Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, a Karnataka Congress legislator on Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to hesitate to take decisive military action like former PM late Indira Gandhi did in 1971, reports economictimes.indiatimes.com.

Rizwan Arshad, who represents Shivajinagar Assembly constituency in Bengaluru, in a letter to Modi, also appealed to him to take "decisive action" to not only address concerns of minorities in Bangladesh but also in India, who have been under "constant attack both economically and socially by the right wing."

"I write to you today as a concerned citizen of India deeply distressed by the recent reports and videos circulating on social media, highlighting the ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh and the atrocities being reported against Hindu minorities in the region," Arshad said.

If these reports are true, given the historical and cultural ties between India and Bangladesh, it is imperative that India takes a "proactive stance" in addressing these issues, he said.

Noting that the safety and well-being of the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh should be of paramount concern, the MLA urged the Prime Minister to engage with the new Bangladeshi government to ensure that immediate and effective measures are taken to protect their rights and dignity.

"The right-wing social media influencers and handles in India have been circulating news which if true (many have been found fake too), I urge the Government of India to ascertain the authenticity of these reports/videos. If they are proven true, the Government of India should take firm action," he said.

The people of India have always stood for justice, peace, and the protection of human rights, Arshad said. "As our Prime Minister, you should not hesitate to take decisive military action like Smt. Indira Gandhi did in 1971. I request you to use your esteemed office to extend a hand of support to our Hindu brothers and sisters in Bangladesh during this critical time."

"I trust that under your leadership, India will take decisive action to not only address concerns of minorities in Bangladesh but also in India, who have been under constant attack both economically and socially by the right wing," he said, and requested him to work towards ensuring the safety and security of our Hindu brethren in Bangladesh and fellow citizens, in particular minorities of India.

This Muslim Kangressy is just trying to use an opportunity to gain cheap fame and notoriety.

We are just as worried about India's Muslims being oppressed and tortured under BJP/VHP/RSS/Shivsena free will and leadership in India. But we are smart enough not to meddle in another sovereign country's affairs, which these people "Dadagiri" emulators do not get.

I hope India's Muslims hold this elected Congress guy responsible for his inaction on Muslim rights in India.

 

[Saif]

Modi reiterates support for democratic, peaceful Bangladesh in call with Yunus

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said he received a phone call from Prof Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh, and exchanged views on the prevailing situation in that country

www.thedailystar.net

Modi reiterates support for democratic, peaceful Bangladesh in call with Yunus

Prof Muhammad Yunus (Left) and Narendra Modi. File photo

In his first conversation with Prof Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of the interim government in Bangladesh, over phone, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi today conveyed India's commitment to supporting the people of Bangladesh through various development initiatives.

During the conversation initiated by Yunus, the Indian prime minister underlined the importance of ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities in Bangladesh, according to a readout issued by the Indian PMO.

Yunus, in turn, assured Modi that the interim government would prioritise the protection, safety and security of Hindus and all minority groups in Bangladesh, said the statement.

During the call, Modi "reaffirmed India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh. He emphasised India's commitment to supporting the people of Bangladesh through various development initiatives."

The two leaders also discussed ways to take the bilateral relationship forward in line with the respective national priorities, said the readout.

Earlier, Modi, in a post on his X, formerly Twitter, said they exchanged views on the prevailing situation in that country.

This was the first contact between Modi and Yunus since the latter was sworn in as chief adviser of the interim government of Bangladesh on August 8.

Modi posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account that he reiterated "India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful and progressive Bangladesh."

"Received a telephone call from Professor Muhammad Yunus, @ChiefAdviserGoB. 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 and all minorities in Bangladesh," Modi tweeted.

Separately, India's Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told the weekly media briefing today that New Delhi looked forward to working with the interim government in Bangladesh to "fulfill the shared expectations" of the two countries.

"We look forward to working with the interim government to fulfill the aspirations of both the countries," MEA spokesman Randhir Jaiswal told the weekly media briefing in New Delhi in response to a question about the meeting between Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain in Dhaka a couple of days ago.

Jaiswal was asked to comment on reports that Hossain had conveyed to Verma that ousted PM Sheikh Hasina's continued stay in India was not conducive to bilateral relations.

In replying to another question if there has been any change in India's position on the legacy of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman after the interim government in Bangladesh cancelled the holiday on August 15 and people were prevented from going to 32, Dhanmandi on that day, the MEA spokesman said, "India has always been a steadfast supporter of the people of Bangladesh since independence and will remain so for the development, progress and prosperity of the people of Bangladesh."

The same sentiment was reflected in the Indian prime minister's Independence Day speech on August 15, Jaiswal added.​

 

[Saif]

Indian media, responsible persons join the fray of spreading communal disinformation about Bangladesh

Some mainstream media of India and responsible persons are also spreading rumors on communal attacks in Bangladesh, reveals a report of Rumor Scanner, a fact checking website based in Bangladesh

en.prothomalo.com

Indian media, responsible persons join the fray of spreading communal disinformation about Bangladesh

From 5 to 13 August, posts shared by those 50 accounts were viewed over 154 million times. Rumor Scanner revealed that 72 per cent of the accounts spreading fake and misleading information claimed to be based in India

Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 18 Aug 2024, 18: 53

Some mainstream media of India and responsible persons are also spreading rumors on communal attacks in Bangladesh, reveals a report of Rumor Scanner, a fact checking website based in Bangladesh.

Rumor Scanner’s Investigation Unit has identified 50 accounts on X that have been actively spreading communal narratives by sharing images, videos, and information related to recent events in Bangladesh.

At least one post from each of these accounts has been found to promote communal misinformation and disinformation, reports Rumor Scanner in a study titled ‘Surge of Communal Misinformation on X During Bangladesh’s Political Crisis’.

From 5 to 13 August, posts shared by those 50 accounts were viewed over 154 million times. Rumor Scanner revealed that 72 per cent of the accounts spreading fake and misleading information claimed to be based in India. Among the account holders are several responsible individuals, and even mainstream media outlets in India that have propagated some of this false information.


A video was posted on 9 August from an X handle named Deepak Sharma which claims Jihadists have killed hundreds of women by exploding bombs at a camp of Hindu women and children. Checking the video, Rumor Scanner finds it to be one from the death of five people in electrocution during Jagannath Dev’s Rath Yatra on 7 July.

A video falsely claiming to show a Hindu man demanding the whereabouts of his missing son was shared by at least three mainstream Indian media outlets on their X handle, Asian News International (ANI), NDTV, and Mirror Now.

These accounts receive significant engagement from their followers when they post communal misinformation. Many are sharing this misinformation on X to boost their engagement or retweet numbers-- Indian fact-checker Ankita Deshkar

However, Rumor Scanner found that the man in question is Muslim named Babul Howlader, who has been seeking information about his missing son since 2013 and participated in a protest for this cause.

Rumor Scanner also found that several other Indian media outlets and individuals associated with them were involved in spreading similar communal misinformation. This list includes X accounts from Zee News Madhya Pradesh and News 24.

The Rumor Scanner investigation unit also found that OpIndia’s editor-in-chief Nupur J Sharma routinely spread fake news from her X handle.
After one of her posts was identified as false and flagged by a Rumor Scanner team member on 11 August, she responded by blocking that particular member on X.

Rumor Scanner asked Indian fact-checker Ankita Deshkar why there has been an increase in communal propaganda in India recently. Ankita explained, “These accounts receive significant engagement from their followers when they post communal misinformation. Many are sharing this misinformation on X to boost their engagement or retweet numbers.”

Spreading of communal misinformation is just not limited to India, responsible individuals from various other countries also joined the fray.

Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria shared a video on his X account falsely claiming that cricketer Liton Das’s house had been set on fire. In reality, the footage was from an arson attack on Mashrafe’s house, and no such incident occurred at Liton’s residence.

Salwan Momika, an Iraqi-born man who has repeatedly caused controversy by publicly burning the Quran, has been found to regularly spread communal misinformation involving Bangladesh through his X account.

Of the 50 accounts examined in this research of Rumor Scanner, 13 posts contained similar instances where unrelated events were given a communal twist. The most prevalent form of misinformation involved misrepresenting Muslim individuals as Hindus.

Other forms of misinformation included repurposing old videos from unrelated incidents, falsely attributing attacks on Muslim establishments to Hindu establishments, misrepresenting arson attacks on different sites as attacks on Hindu properties, distorting political slogans, fabricating statements, creating fake Telegram accounts in the name of the BNP, and making false claims about the number of Hindu casualties.

In 80 per cent of the cases (40 posts), video footage was used to spread misinformation. In 16 per cent of cases, images and screenshots were used, while the remaining 4 per cent consisted of text-only posts.​

 

[Saif]

Neighborhood setback: lessons for India

AUGUST 5 is yet another day added to the history of Bangladesh. On this day, Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister amidst a student-mass uprising, ending her 15 years’ iron-fist rule. She left Bangladesh and took refuge in India. Events unfolded quickly that day. The fall of the government...

www.newagebd.net

Neighborhood setback: lessons for India
Mohammad Abdur Razzak 26 August, 2024, 00:00

The Student against Discrimination held a rally at the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka on August 3 to demand justice for the victims killed in attacks on student protests. | Agence France-Presse/Munir Uz Zaman

AUGUST 5 is yet another day added to the history of Bangladesh. On this day, Sheikh Hasina resigned as prime minister amidst a student-mass uprising, ending her 15 years’ iron-fist rule. She left Bangladesh and took refuge in India. Events unfolded quickly that day. The fall of the government appears a huge shock to both Awami League and India. India, having recovered from the shock, broke silence on August 6, raising concern about the security of minorities in Bangladesh and hoped order to be restored quickly.

On August 7, India scaled down the presence of staff in its high commission in Dhaka, mentioning safety reasons. On August 8, India shut all visa application centers across Bangladesh, citing an unstable situation. On August 9, India’s prime minister Narendra Modi sent his ‘best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus’, the head of interim government, and hoped ‘an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of the Hindus and all other minority communities.’ He also expressed India’s commitment to work with Bangladesh.

India’s diplomatic actions and reactions were followed by anti-Bangladesh narratives around ‘attacks on the Hindus and their temples’ propagated by the Indian print and electronic media. As part of a wider campaign, Indian diaspora in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States also went on demonstration demanding safety of the Hindus in Bangladesh. Some of the Indian politicians went that far urging indian to consider intervention as it did in Sri Lanka and the Maldives in 1987 and widen the Siliguri corridor.

While the Indian media were propagating false narratives, the ground reality was diametrically opposite. Shashi Tharoor, member of parliament from the Indian Congress during a talkshow on NDTV praised the Muslims in Bangladesh who guarded and protected temples and Hindu property. Thge secretary general of the Hindu Grand Alliance in Bangladesh also praised the Muslims for safeguarding the Hindus. Unfortunately Indian media have never published such positive action by Muslims.

After the political changeover, there were attacks largely on people associated with Awami League politics irrespective of their religious identity. Religion was not at all the prime issue in such attacks. Mobs even ravaged police stations to take revenge of their crimes against people and students. The Hindu community staged demonstration in Dhaka, Chattogram and Khulna against alleged attacks and demanded security. India payed the ‘Hindu card’ and ‘Islamist card’ against Bangladesh internationally to its convenience. In this case, the wider application of the Hindu card by the Awami League and India was to add volatility to the fragile public order. Sectarian provocation and false narratives only contributed to widening and deepenening the already prevailing anti-India sentiment.

Neither the people during the time of liberation were anti-India nor the Generation Z people were born to be anti-India. Such a negative sentiment is created by India through its anti-Bangladesh activities such as the operationalisation of the Farakka Barrage in 1975, creating ‘Shanti Bahini’ insurgency in the Chattogram Hill Tracts, the mechanical fencing of common borders, killing Bangladeshis in the frontiers, imposing barriers on Bangladeshi export to India, the withdrawal of waters from common rivers, Akhand Bharat concept targeting to merge small neighbours and so forth. The withdrawal of water from the Ganges together with other common rivers has destroyed the ecology and livelihood of millions of people. The Ganges water sharing agreement was signed in 1996 after the Awami League had assumed office. India also stopped aiding Shanti Bahini insurgents to end the two decades’ insurgency in 1997.

After a brief period of bumpy politics since 1996, Bangladesh plunged into a violent political conflict in 2006, leading to the formation of military-backed two-year caretaker government on January 11, 2007. Before the general elections in 2008 under the caretaker government, India asked General Moyeen U Ahmed, a former chief of army staff, to bring the Awami League back to power. In return, India assured him security of his job and a safe exit. Elections were held. The Awami Lague came to power. The general continued with his job. He retired on June 15, 2009, safely left Bangladesh and did not came back.

During the Awami League rule between 2009 and 2024, ‘democracy’ became the first casualty in Bangladesh politics. All democratic institutions and practices faced politicisation in line with the Awami League’s ideological orientation. India connived to establish a draconian political climate in Bangladesh. The government became increasingly intolerant of any kind of opposition, whether political or non-political. Even criticising the prime minister of India or any demonstration against India was treated as an offence. Such loyalty by a Bangladeshi government was unprecedented. India became confident of pressing ahead with the dependable government of the Awami League and completely ignored the popular sentiment.

The Jatiya Party appeared as a faithful opposition. India’s influence with the elections was exposed in December 2014. India’s former external affairs secretary along with a Bangladeshi intelligence chief escorted the Jatiya Party chair Hussein Mohammad Ershad from his residence in Baridhara to Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka. Ershad was kept there till the elections were over. Ershad’s wife, Rowshan Ershad, was made the party chair to lead the party in the elections. While elections of 2014, 2018 and 2024 were internationally noted as ‘not free and fair’, India gave clean a chit.

Anti-India sentiments deepened faster because of India’s endorsement to undemocratic practices in Bangladesh politics. The negative sentiment grew strong enough for activists to launch a campaign to boycott Indian products which gained traction. Despite growing dislikes, India was confident of shieldibng both the AL government and Sheikh Hasina through its moles across the political sphere, bureaucracy, military, judiciary and police. India took the party and its government for guaranteed to advance its interests in Bangladesh and have its say in internal and foreign policy affairs. India continued to disregard the depth and strength of people’s sentiment and expectation. There, India made the blunder.

The geopolitical saying that ‘neighbours cannot be changed’ is true for both for Bangladesh and India. Although Bangladesh is a small country, it is so much important to India that India cannot even draw its map without Bangladesh. If people look at the map with insight, they will notice that Bangladesh is balancing the integrity between India’s seven sisters and the rest of the Indian territory. Bangladesh is the only country to provide economic connectivity between the seven sisters and the rest of India, connecting northeast Indian states to maritime trade route and providing strategic alternative for the vulnerable Siliguri corridor.

On the economic frontiers, Bangladesh is a very big market for India. Hundreds of thousands of people visit India every year and spend millions of dollars on treatment, tourism, etc. In 2023, more than two million people visited India. The Economic Times online said on August 19 that the July uprising in Bangladesh ‘crush-landed on Indian tourism’. According to the report, ‘Bangladeshi travellers, who usually make up 23 per cenbt of India’s inbound tourism — primarily for medical, [tourism] and shopping reasons — have seen a 90 per cent decline in outbound travel due to recent turmoil. With flights disrupted and visa services limited, travel between the two countries has nearly halted. This decline, particularly affecting popular destinations like Kolkata and Northeast India, has led to a 40 per cent drop in bookings.’ India’s high commission in Dhaka earns a couple of million dollars through consular services. A large number of Indians work in Bangladesh. They are the third largest remitters of foreign currency to India. In 2022, India exported goods worth $13 billion to Bangladesh. India will not find another such a large composite market for its businesses in South Asia. But, Bangladesh can find alternative sources of supplies for its businesses. China and other countries will happily fill in any vacuum left by India.

Anti-India sentiment that has been created particularly in 15 years will be carried over in the years to come. The Generation Z people who are now in their teens and twenties will join the state apparatus in future. They will drive internal and external affairs of the future Bangladesh. Therefore, India should make a policy decision to build relation with people and people’s government. India should become a true development partner of Bangladesh instead of a muscle-flexing big brother. India must value the people and people’s government. As neither of the countries can change neighbours, both Bangladesh and India should work to build a stable and friendly neighborhood.

Mohammad Abdur Razzak, a retired commodore of the Bangladesh navy, is a security analyst.​

 

[Saif]

India to work with interim govt

India yesterday reiterated that it would continue to work with Bangladesh’s interim government to fulfil the “shared aspirations” of the peoples of the two countries.

www.thedailystar.net

India to work with interim govt
Says its external affairs ministry

India yesterday reiterated that it would continue to work with Bangladesh's interim government to fulfil the "shared aspirations" of the peoples of the two countries.

Addressing the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also responded to a series of questions relating to Sheikh Hasina's extradition and her current status in India, saying that "this is a hypothetical question and we do not answer this type of hypothetical question."

Jaiswal reiterated that Hasina came to India on August 5 on short notice and that he had nothing more to add to that at present.

Asked to comment on Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus's remarks during a recent interview with an Indian news agency that Hasina should remain silent when in India and that New Delhi should look beyond the narrative given by her, Jaiswal said, "The Indian high commissioner, during his meeting with the chief adviser, conveyed that India is willing to work with Bangladesh to fulfil the shared aspirations of the two countries. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh with our national priority."

"This is how we approach our engagement with Bangladesh," he added.

To a question about the Adani Power's agreement with Bangladesh Power Development Board for supply of electricity from the former's plant in Godda, Jharkhand, Jaiswal said, "It is a buyer-seller agreement between the two parties and it's for them to sort out the issues."

Asked about the fate of the India-Bangladesh friendship pipeline from Numaligarh in Assam to Parbatipur for supplying diesel, Jaiswal said the project is functional, adding that India has made certain proposals about extending the pipeline and is waiting for a response from the Bangladesh side.

Replying to a question about the revival of India-Bangladesh bilateral development projects, Jaiswal reiterated that the work on them would resume as soon as the law and order in that country stabilises and the Indian workers involved in them return.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Indian polity and bureaucracy is fully capable of handling such small issues. India has managed US and Russia togather. India has managed Israel and Arabs together. India has managed Saudi and Iran together. Handling such a small issue.

 

[Saif]

Indian polity and bureaucracy is fully capable of handling such small issues. India has managed US and Russia togather. India has managed Israel and Arabs together. India has managed Saudi and Iran together. Handling such a small issue.

India has done nothing of the sort you have claimed in your post. Your country is just a supplier of cheap labors in the Middle East.

 

[Bilal9]

India has done nothing of the sort you have claimed in your post. Your country is just a supplier of cheap labors in the Middle East.

I'd like to see how they handle the Manipur Independence struggle "issue".

That is now front and center.

Chest puffery is odd, now that Chinese troops have laid claim to land 60 KM inside Arunachal Pradesh.

And Indian defence minister is totally mum on that "issue" as well.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

India has done nothing of the sort you have claimed in your post. Your country is just a supplier of cheap labors in the Middle East.

You are totally unaware of Geo political realities and what is happening in the world of Bureaucracy.

 

[Saif]

I'd like to see how they handle the Manipur Independence struggle "issue".

That is now front and center.

Chest puffery is odd, now that Chinese troops have laid claim to land 60 KM inside Arunachal Pradesh.

And Indian defence minister is totally mum on that "issue" as well.

India's defense minister is mum on the issue because he is busy conquering the world of bureaucracy and geopolitics

 

[Bilal9]

How over-investment in Hasina puts India in an unwelcome, but inevitable new reality: Part 1​

India has nobody to blame except its policy of putting all its eggs in one basket for years and investing in only Hasina for the sake of its regional security interests​

Illustration: TBS
The downfall of Sheikh Hasina in an uprising has become a major diplomatic blow to India forcing New Delhi to wake up to a new reality as the bilateral relations between the two countries hit the lowest from an unprecedented level of bonhomie during the rule of Hasina since 2009.


Back in June, just a month and a half ago before her abrupt resignation and taking refuge in India by fleeing Bangladesh, Hasina visited India twice in two weeks in a clear demonstration of her India-first policy which was also lauded by her counterpart Narendra Modi.

"We have met 10 times in the last year. However, this meeting is special because Sheikh Hasina is the first state guest after the third term of our government," Narendra Modi said at a joint news conference last June when Hasina visited New Delhi.

But everything built in the last one and a half decades collapsed like a house of cards after Hasina's fall. India has nobody to blame except its policy of putting all its eggs in one basket for years and investing in only Hasina for the sake of its regional security interests.

As such, such an aftermath was inevitable sooner or later.

Except for Hasina's Awami League, India has long viewed the current Bangladesh opposition and its allies as a threat to its interest and labelled them "dangerous Islamic forces."

India's reliance on Hasina grew to an unprecedented level as she cracked down on anti-India militants on Bangladesh's soil and granted transit rights to secure trade routes to five Indian states which border Bangladesh.

But its role in Bangladesh's last three elections, which critics view as interference in Bangladesh's domestic politics, remains glaring evidence of how India steadfastly kept supporting Hasina who ensured her grasp on power by denying people their democratic rights.

Hasina's return to power in 2009 was a relief for India's leadership. Hasina too delivered on India's expectation as she herself claimed: "India should remember forever what her government has given to it."

As India was enamoured with Hasina, it kept overlooking her widespread misrule and criticism at home and abroad against several stage-managed elections. With both countries frequently declaring 'reaching new heights' in bilateral relations, India's blind support for Hasina, in reality, backfired igniting intense abhorrence toward India in Bangladesh.

And since her fall, India's leaders and media have been out on a concerted campaign to undermine the students-people upsurge and paint the changeover as a "conspiracy against Hasina" ignoring the reality on the grounds.

India's Hasina-centric diplomacy goes back decades but only became apparent to all in 2008.

Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during the bilateral meeting in New Delhi on 8 September 2023. Photo: Collected from Narendra Modi’s X handle
On the morning of 30 December 2008, a pleased Manmohan Singh called and congratulated Hasina who would be his Bangladeshi counterpart in a couple of days as her party had won a landslide on the previous day in a largely free and fair parliamentary election.

The jubilant feeling was borne out of Hasina's track record. She was mindful of India's security interest on the eastern border during her first term from 1996 to 2001. That relief offered by Hasina had made India's leadership obsessed with their 'friend.'

Manmohan Singh called Hasina again another morning in January 2014 and Narendra Modi did it twice – in December 2018 and in January 2024 – to congratulate Hasina on her election victories.

But Bangladesh was very different in those three mornings, unlike the one on the morning of 30 December 2008.

After every election, the rest of the democratic world such as the United States, United Kingdom and the European Union unequivocally said the elections were neither free nor fair. Even before the elections, they had been criticising the role of the law enforcement agencies and the administration being used in favour of Hasina and her party to skew election results.

But India was the outlier. In each of the three elections, India stood by an embattled Hasina and shielded her from criticism and actions from the rest of the democratic world.

India happy, India not happy

When Hasina bounced back to power after a break of seven years in January 2009 by winning a landslide in the election, India was upbeat in "hailing the return of democracy in Bangladesh."

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia July 9, 2024. Photo: Sputnik/Sergey Bobylev/Kremlin via REUTERS/File Photo
More than 15 years down the line, when Bangladesh again returned to the path of democracy by toppling the authoritarian ruler Hasina in an unprecedented uprising, India's leaders were more glum than in a cheerful mood.

Her ouster has freed Bangladesh, its people and the economy from a Kleptocratic regime but it has apparently angered India's high-profile leaders, from Narendra Modi to Rahul Gandhi, and a section of India's media.

When the rest of the democratic world is extending their support to Bangladesh helping it recover from a messy economic and governance situation which Hasina left behind as the legacy of her despotic regime, India's leaders and media cannot find anything to rejoice.

The day after Hasina took refuge in New Delhi, India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, on 6 August in a statement, informed India's parliament about the situation in Bangladesh, but what he said was only partly true.

In his statement, he focused only on violence by protesters but he did not use a single word about the unprecedented brutalities unleashed on protesters by Hasina and her politicised state apparatus.

Since the election in January 2024, Jaishankar said, there have been considerable tensions, deep divides and growing polarisation in Bangladesh politics. These underlying causes aggravated a student agitation that started in June this year, he said.

"There was growing violence, including attacks on public buildings and infrastructure as well as traffic and rail obstructions. The violence continued through July. Throughout this period, we repeatedly counselled restraint and urged that the situation be diffused through dialogue. Similar urgings were made to various political forces with whom we were in touch," reads the statement.

On 4 August, the statement said, events took a very serious turn. Attacks on police, including police stations and government installations, intensified even as overall levels of violence greatly escalated. Properties of individuals associated with the regime were torched across the country. What was particularly worrying was that minorities, their businesses and temples also came under attack at multiple locations," reads his statement.

He did not mention anything about the nature of the January 2024 election in which Hasina's party won a landslide.

Following the collapse of Hasina's government, an all-party meeting in Delhi expressed concern over attacks on Hindus and vandalising their homes and temples.

Subsequently, in a phone call with Modi, interim government chief Muhammad Yunus assured him that the safety of Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh would be ensured.

On 15 August, Narendra Modi expressed concern over the unrest that led to a change of government in neighbouring Bangladesh and the attacks on Hindus and other minorities there. Since the ouster of Hasina, in their first talk at the end of August, Modi raised the Bangladesh issue in discussion with Joe Biden and expressed concern over the security of Hindus.

''The two leaders expressed their shared concern over the situation in Bangladesh and emphasised the restoration of law and order and ensuring the safety of minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh," said a readout issued by the Indian Prime Minister's Office.

India's opposition leader Rahul Gandhi has said his country is "concerned" about the "extremism" present in Bangladesh, but anticipates the situation will "stabilise."

He also expressed his interest in collaborating with the current interim government or any future administration, according to the NDTV.

(Continued Below....)

 

[Bilal9]

How over-investment in Hasina puts India in an unwelcome, but inevitable new reality: Part 2​

On war footing!

At a joint conference of the top commanders of India's three branches of the military in Lucknow, India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for a review of the current situation in Bangladesh.

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh delivers a speech during a ceremony for the delivery of the first Rafale fighter to the Indian Air Force at the factory of French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation in Merignac near Bordeaux, France, October 8, 2019. REUTERS/Regis Duvignau
Rajnath said India is a "peace-loving country" but emphasised the need to be prepared for war in the face of "unforeseen" events in order to maintain peace.

India's media's role was more alarming.

Indian media started a concerted misinformation campaign making claims linking China and Pakistani intelligence to Bangladesh protests and exaggerating the scale of attacks on Hindus.

Within hours of Sheikh Hasina fleeing from Ganabhaban, the residence of the PM, reports began to appear in some Indian media outlets that members of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh were being targeted by "Islamist forces."

Articles and videos containing misleading content emerged across Indian media and social media platforms. A Times of India report claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami, Bangladesh's biggest Islamist party, "brought down Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh."

Intelligence agencies have identified Pakistan's ISI and its Chinese patron as key players in agitating protests and subversion that compelled Hasina to flee the country claimed Times of India.

It claimed information reveals the involvement of Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, in converting protests over quotas into efforts to establish a regime favourable to Pakistan and China, undermining the previously installed Hasina government.

In a report, the ANI news agency quoted a student leader in India as saying the mass uprising was "orchestrated by the enemies of Bangladesh."

"India should remember forever..."

India and Bangladesh share a 4,100-kilometre-long (2,500-mile) porous border, which is an easy pathway for infiltration, human trafficking and, possibly, terrorist elements. Bangladesh shares the border with the Indian states of West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

India has witnessed many ups and downs in the bilateral relation with Bangladesh for decades after the changeover of Awami League regime in August 1975 due to this porous border.

During Hasina's first term from 1996-2001, the bilateral relationship between Dhaka and Delhi took a new shape, differing from the previous turbulence. India faced security threats again during the past BNP-led government from 2001-2006 when anti-Indian insurgent groups were allegedly given shelter on the soil of Bangladesh.

A sharp spike in militancy during the period was also a matter of concern for India.

In such a situation, Hasina's return to power in 2009 was a relief for India's leadership. Hasina too delivered on India's expectation as she herself claimed: "India should remember forever what her government has given to it."

"Bangladesh helped India get rid of daily bombing and shootings. We've brought them peace, they have to remember this," she said at the press conference arranged in May 2018 to brief the media about her recent trip to West Bengal.

Hasina said the present government does not want anything in return from India. "There's nothing to get in return. I don't seek any return [from India]. I am not in the habit of asking, rather I am in the habit of giving."

Hasina's "India should remember forever…" comment was not mere political rhetoric. During her rule, trade relations and connectivity between the two countries flourished. India's security concern was almost minimised. It has gained road, river and train access via Bangladesh to transport goods to its northeastern states.

Shooting and bombing used to take place every day in India during the separatist movement and the then government of Bangladesh used to support the separatist movement, she claimed. "We stopped that. We decided that none would be allowed to operate separatist movement using our soil,' she said.

Momen: The lone truth-teller?

Hasina's foreign minister Dr AK Abdul Momen often blurted out comments about the bilateral relation between the two countries which irked his party, but critics consider his remarks as a reflection of reality.

Former foreign minister AK Abdul Momen. File Photo: Collected
In 2019, Momen compared the relationship between Bangladesh and India with that of 'husband-wife' – which sparked strong criticism within his party too.

On 8 August 2020, he said Bangladesh shares blood ties with India and economic ties with China.

In August 2022, during an event in Chattogram, Dr Momen said he had "requested" India to do "whatever was necessary in order to keep Sheikh Hasina in power."

"I went to India and said Sheikh Hasina's continuation must be ensured. She is our role model. If her continuation is ensured, our country will stride towards development and become a truly non-communal country," he said.

Momen was strongly criticised by his party men. But one and a half years down the line, India did everything necessary in the run-up to the January 2024 election to keep Hasina in power.

In April 2022 Momen said he was happy about his Indian counterpart's visit as Bangladesh and India have been enjoying a "sweet relationship."

Even though AL leaders and affiliated intellectuals had been painting rosy pictures regarding the contentious issue of providing India passage through the country extolling the economic benefits accruing from the transit fees to Bangladesh, in March 2011, Prime Minister Hasina's economic adviser Mashiur Rahman commented that Bangladesh should not collect fees for providing transit or transhipment facilities to India.

"Had our country been an uncivilised one or our leaders been illiterate then we could have asked for the fees, but that's not the case."

Former Indian prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh being seen off by former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on his departure from Bangladesh to New Delhi, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, in

Former Indian prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh being seen off by former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina on his departure from Bangladesh to New Delhi, at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, in Dhaka on 07 September 2011. Photo: Wikimedia commons
A carrot with a long shelf life has been the Teesta water-sharing treaty that has never seen the light of the day. Though a treaty was supposed to be inked during Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka in 2011, nothing came out of it.

Many more visits by either Hasina to New Delhi or Modi to Dhaka took place. However, the Teesta water-sharing treaty still remains elusive.

(Continued Below again)

 

[Bilal9]

How over-investment in Hasina puts India in an unwelcome, but inevitable new reality: Part 3​

Unfriending and friending

During Hasina's friendly rule, any criticism of India was strongly discouraged.

Therefore, when Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus spoke firmly of Bangladesh's expectations from India in bilateral matters in an interview with the Press Trust of India, it did not go well with the South Block.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus. Photo: Collected

Though India's foreign ministry did not formally react to his remarks, officials were reportedly "upset," according to a BBC report.

Yunus made it clear Bangladesh wants to continue maintaining its good relations with India but that these ties should reflect "fairness and equality."

He also said that both countries need to work together to improve their bilateral relations, which he described as being "at a low."

Yunus also criticised Delhi for not reaching out to Bangladeshi opposition parties.

"The narrative is that everybody is Islamist, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is Islamist, and everyone else is Islamist and will make this country into Afghanistan. And Bangladesh is in safe hands with Sheikh Hasina at the helm only. India is captivated by this narrative," he said.

Professor Yunus had succinctly put India's long-held policy of betting on Hasina to keep its North-East in reins.

Yet, former Indian diplomats say they are taken aback by what has been described as "megaphone diplomacy" by Yunus – discussing contentious bilateral issues through the media, reports BBC.

In the latest, India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said the political churn in Bangladesh is that country's "internal matter" but India is keen to continue what was a stable relationship.

But he put the onus on Bangladesh by saying, "If Bangladesh understands the significance of neighbouring ties, its relationship with India will reach another height."

Bangladeshis wonder why only Bangladesh needs to 'understand the significance of neighbouring ties' while India has taken a hardened stance, though undeclared, against Bangladesh. Is India still on the right track after the ouster of Hasina in the unprecedented student-people uprising?

Even after her ouster, Hasina, who took refuge in India, appears to be a new major thorn in bilateral relations with India.

India's actions when Bangladesh asks for extradition of Hasina who is facing over a hundred murder cases including charges of crimes against humanity, will be a determinant factor of the future of relations between the two neighbouring countries.

New Delhi can't deny Dhaka's request as per the extradition agreement signed between the two countries when Hasina was in power in 2013 at India's request. But Hasina is now staying in New Delhi as a 'guest' of the Indian government. Will Modi now unfriend Hasina and become a friend of the people of Bangladesh?

How India stood by an embattled Hasina

Though Hasina claimed "I don't want anything in return," she enjoyed India's unqualified support which acted as a bulwark to protect her from diplomatic pressure from the West.

Let the facts speak for themselves.

Before the last parliamentary election held in January this year, the Hasina government was under unprecedented global diplomatic pressure spearheaded by the US, EU and the UK to hold a free and fair election.

The Hasina government was unperturbed, thanks to India's blind support of her engineered one-sided election. India even reportedly blocked the US's punitive measures against the Hasina government for undermining democracy in Bangladesh.

After the third consecutive stage-managed election participated by Hasina's Awami League, her allies and her party's "dummy independent" candidates, Indian PM Modi dialled Hasina the next day and congratulated her on her victory in the parliamentary election for a "historic fourth consecutive term."

"I also congratulate the people of Bangladesh for the successful conduct of elections. We are committed to further strengthening our enduring and people-centric partnership with Bangladesh," Modi said in a post on X.

Was it really a 'successful conduct of election'?

It was a success for only Hasina, not the people of Bangladesh who were once again denied their right to vote. Even after helping Hasina to hold such an election without people's participation, Modi assured Hasina India is committed to strengthening its "people-centric partnership with Bangladesh."

Sketch: TBS

Sketch: TBS

Hasina also highlighted the enduring friendship between the two sides and reiterated India's importance as a key ally.

In her first news conference following the "election victory," Hasina emphasised the strong bond between Bangladesh and India. "In the next five years, our main focus will be on economic progress and fulfilling all the work that we have started...The development of the people and our country is our main aim," Hasina said.

In the 2018 election, the Modi government did not have to try hard to maintain its unstinted support for Hasina.

The BNP-led alliance's participation in the election on Hasina's assurance that the election would be free and fair made things easy. It was unlike the elections of 2014 and 2024, which were boycotted by the BNP and other opposition parties as the polls were held under the Hasina government.

It came to be known as the infamous "night vote" as the election rigging was set at midnight before the election day by ruling party men in active support of the law enforcement agencies and administration.

Modi called Hasina with alacrity the next morning to congratulate Hasina on the "decisive results." Modi expressed confidence the India-Bangladesh partnership will "continue to flourish under her farsighted leadership," a statement from the external affairs ministry said.

"The victory of the Awami League in the polls is a reflection of stunning development that Bangladesh attained under your dynamic leadership," Modi said.

Modi reiterated the priority New Delhi attaches to Dhaka "as a neighbour, a close partner for regional development, security and cooperation, and a central pillar in India's 'Neighbourhood First' policy."

Hasina thanked Modi for being the first leader to call to congratulate her and she also thanked India for its "consistent and generous support which has benefited Bangladesh's development."

Things were not easy like in 2018 for either Hasina or Modi's predecessor Manmohan Singh before the January 2014 election.

The BNP-led alliance and other opposition parties already stayed away from the election process as it was held under the Hasina government after she abruptly cancelled the non-partisan caretaker government in 2011. In the middle of the race, the Jatiya Party-led by Ershad too announced quitting the election and ordered his party candidates to withdraw their candidacies.

The Congress-led Manmohan Singh government dispatched the then foreign secretary Sujata Singh to Dhaka to persuade Ershad not to quit the election. The reality then was that Hasina's party would have had none to compete had Ershad and his party withdrawn from the election.

At a meeting with Ershad, the Indian envoy warned that fundamentalist forces would rise if the election was not held. But Ershad did not buy her narrative.

Ershad was then forced by the Hasina administration to be admitted to the combined military hospital in Dhaka, which prevented many of his party candidates from withdrawing from the electoral race.

The election day was marked by the deadliest violence, though polling was held only in 147 seats and 153 MPs were elected uncontested in an extraordinary manoeuvring by the Hasina government.

Manmohan Singh was ready to become the first head of a government to congratulate Hasina over the phone immediately after she was sworn in, pledging India's support in any situation. He then sent a felicitation letter.

"I look forward to working with you to strengthen our good neighbourly relations and our mutually beneficial partnership," he wrote in the letter, lauding her role as "vital" in the just-ended tenure.

Singh "conveyed that India attaches the highest importance to its relationship with Bangladesh and expressed the hope that bilateral cooperation will be further broadened and strengthened in the coming months".

After Hasina was sworn in as prime minister, Manmohan Singh called her to convey his good wishes and also "wished her and the people of Bangladesh all success in the endeavour to strengthen democratic institutions in Bangladesh."

Western countries and rights bodies at home and internationally unequivocally said after every election that elections were not free and fair. But India was unperturbed.

India's reactions were in line with the global ones only in the 2008 election.

After Hasina won a landslide in the December 2008 election which was largely free and fair, Monmohon Singh hailed the return of democracy in Bangladesh and congratulated Hasina.

"India congratulates the people of Bangladesh on the fair, peaceful and free conduct of their general elections which mark the return to multi-party democratic politics in a close and friendly neighbour," external affairs ministry spokesperson Vishnu Prakash said in a statement here.

The words used in the congratulatory message were a reflection of the quality of the December 2008 election.

But Manmohan and Modi's congratulations to Hasina on her victory in three controversial elections in 2014, 2018 and 2024 were messages by two prime ministers of 'the largest democracy in the world' who put blinders to reality and this also is a sorry tale of India's over-investment in Hasina.

The inevitable aftermath of such a ludicrous policy is now part of history.

 

[Bilal9]

With extradition request looming, what is the future of India-Bangladesh relations?​

​

If Bangladesh formally asks for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who has reportedly failed to secure a political asylum in any other country, will it further strain the diplomatic relations between the two countries?​

Illustration: TBS

Soon after the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India and her government fell, the relations between India and Bangladesh entered a new phase, the contours and future of which remain unclear.

Sheikh Hasina had been a trusted more-than-a-friend to India, and the latter has always stated that in public. In the absence of Hasina in power, it was only natural that Bangladeshis would vent out their concerns about India's policies.

From wild rumours of RAW (Indian intelligence agency) operatives working alongside Bangladeshi law enforcers trying to suppress the mass uprising that eventually toppled Hasina, to the somewhat more nuanced speculation that the opening of Dumbur dam in Tripura caused the unprecedented floods in Bangladesh's Feni, Noakhali and Cumilla districts; the common man's belief that India would be upset at Hasina's ouster was not baseless, and it didn't take long to be proven true.

Last week, just a month after the interim government took charge in Bangladesh, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asked the armed forces of India to analyse the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza as well as the 'situation' in Bangladesh, and be prepared for war 'to preserve peace'.

Now, the armed forces do not start a war per se, the politicians do, and the analysis of the political situations and the interest in war or peace are also calculated by the latter. So asking the men in uniform to do the task of the politicians does not constitute a credible threat of war, but it surely shows that the Indian government is either upset, or it feels the need to put some pressure on the new Bangladesh government.

"I sense an adjustment or understanding gap in the relations, as there is a disruption in rhythm vis-a-vis their usual relations with Bangladesh. Bangladesh used to speak to India in a 'wavelength' (tone) under the leadership of Hasina, but now the wavelength has changed"

Ambassador Humayun KabirIndian leader of opposition and member of the Indian National Congress, Rahul Gandhi, also made that clear at a press conference held in Washington, DC just a day ago. When asked about the "attacks on minorities" in Bangladesh, Rahul said, "We are against any type of violence and want it to stop. It is the responsibility of the Bangladeshi government to end it as soon as possible. From our side, it is the responsibility of our government to apply pressure so that the violence stops."

As fact checkers and world media - including the BBC - has already shown, the perceived 'widespread attacks on the minorities' is an exaggeration of the ground reality in Bangladesh, mainly a perception caused by relentless propaganda by Hindu fundamentalist elements in India, who are basically upset by the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina.

The impact of the latest developments on the bilateral relations extends beyond mere rhetoric though.


Border killings have seen a spike with at least two dead and several injured in separate incidents. On 1 September, 14-year-old Swarna Das, a school student, was shot and killed by BSF gunfire at the Kulaura border in Moulvibazar. BSF handed over her body two days after the killing. Nine days later, in a similar incident, another Bangladeshi teenager, 15-year-old Jayanta Kumar Singh, was shot dead by BSF in Thakurgaon border. Jayanta's father and another individual were also injured in the shooting.


Also, the train service between the two countries has not resumed since the fall of Hasina government, and now several Bangladeshi airlines have significantly reduced or temporarily suspended their flight operations to India due to a decline in passenger numbers emanating from limited-scale resumption of visa services that got suspended following the fall of the former government.

In this context, the question has arisen that if Bangladesh formally asks for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who has reportedly failed to secure a political asylum in any other country, will it further strain the diplomatic relations between the two countries?

"Although the Indian high commissioner has met the foreign affairs adviser and India is saying that they will release the credit funds and resume the infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, I don't think this will be done. And if the Bangladesh government sees that the loans are not provided and Indian workers are not coming back to resume railway construction, they will ask to stop the projects"

Professor Shahiduzzaman

Foreign policy and diplomacy experts think there is already some stress in the relations as India has to cope with the new tone that their counterpart is speaking in, but a working communication is also there.

Former ambassador M Humayun Kabir says he senses what he calls an "adjustment or understanding gap" between the two countries, and the question of extraditing the former PM will complicate things.

"Yes, there might be some stress in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India because of the special relationship of India with Sheikh Hasina. Although there is an extradition treaty between the two countries, the final decision to hand her over to Bangladesh authorities will be a political one. The decision will require a lot of thinking and courage and so on," he said.

"But the communication between the two countries at the diplomatic level is uninterrupted. We've seen Indian Premier Narendra Modi congratulate Dr Mohammad Yunus as soon as he (the latter) took oath as the chief adviser to the interim government. However, I sense an adjustment or understanding gap in the relations, as there is a disruption in rhythm vis-a-vis their usual relations with Bangladesh," the former ambassador said.

"Bangladesh used to speak to India in a 'wavelength' (tone) under the leadership of Hasina, but now the wavelength has changed," he explained.

The interim government of Bangladesh has made it clear that the country will pursue a relationship with India on a footing of equality and fairness.

Asked about India's silence over Bangladesh's request for a meeting of the two leaders on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, Humayun Kabir is hopeful that the meeting might be held eventually.

"We are closest neighbours, and both the countries have interdependence. Goodwill and efforts are required from both sides, and I think we'll return to a normal state of interaction soon," he said.

Rahul Gandhi also said in the aforementioned press conference, "I think there are concerns in India about extremist elements in Bangladesh, and we share some of those concerns…However, I'm confident that things will stabilise in Bangladesh, and we will be able to have a relationship with the current government or any other government that follows."

Dr Shahiduzzaman, former professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, on the other hand, thinks the diplomatic relations are "bound to deteriorate".

"You can judge it by the repeated border killings – no apologies have been offered. Bangladesh has lodged protests but India has not even cared to reply to that," the professor said.

"Although the Indian high commissioner has met the foreign affairs adviser and India is saying that they will release the credit funds and resume the infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, I don't think this will be done. And if the Bangladesh government sees that the loans are not provided and Indian workers are not coming back to resume railway construction, they will ask to stop the projects," he added.

Professor Shahiduzzaman is rather doubtful if India will ever extradite Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh because they – Indian ruling party and the opposition alike – call her a friend.

The professor thinks there will be pressure on the Bangladesh government from the political parties and "politically conscious groups" to reevaluate and cancel various agreements that were signed under Hasina government without effective discussion in the parliament.

"The request to extradite Sheikh Hasina will be futile. However, it will take time to make a formal request, and by the time things will deteriorate," he concluded.

Meanwhile, after the chief prosecutor of the Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) told media that it was taking steps to secure the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, the Indian government has kept mum on the matter, making it hard to presume its stance on the matter.

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, when asked about the matter in Berlin on Wednesday, said New Delhi conducts its interactions with governments through diplomatic channels, rather than responding to reports in the press.

"As you know there is a change in government in Bangladesh. And we obviously deal with the government of the day. How we deal with that is through diplomatic channels, not necessarily by the reports which will be reported in the press," Jaishankar said.

Bangladesh has a criminal extradition treaty with India which was signed in 2013, under Sheikh Hasina's government. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) was also set up by Hasina in 2010 to investigate atrocities during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Now she is facing murder cases filed against her in the ICT, and the government is likely to take advantage of the same extradition treaty she signed with India.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Indian media, responsible persons join the fray of spreading communal disinformation about Bangladesh

Some mainstream media of India and responsible persons are also spreading rumors on communal attacks in Bangladesh, reveals a report of Rumor Scanner, a fact checking website based in Bangladesh

en.prothomalo.com

Indian media, responsible persons join the fray of spreading communal disinformation about Bangladesh

From 5 to 13 August, posts shared by those 50 accounts were viewed over 154 million times. Rumor Scanner revealed that 72 per cent of the accounts spreading fake and misleading information claimed to be based in India

Staff Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 18 Aug 2024, 18: 53

Some mainstream media of India and responsible persons are also spreading rumors on communal attacks in Bangladesh, reveals a report of Rumor Scanner, a fact checking website based in Bangladesh.

Rumor Scanner’s Investigation Unit has identified 50 accounts on X that have been actively spreading communal narratives by sharing images, videos, and information related to recent events in Bangladesh.

At least one post from each of these accounts has been found to promote communal misinformation and disinformation, reports Rumor Scanner in a study titled ‘Surge of Communal Misinformation on X During Bangladesh’s Political Crisis’.

From 5 to 13 August, posts shared by those 50 accounts were viewed over 154 million times. Rumor Scanner revealed that 72 per cent of the accounts spreading fake and misleading information claimed to be based in India. Among the account holders are several responsible individuals, and even mainstream media outlets in India that have propagated some of this false information.


A video was posted on 9 August from an X handle named Deepak Sharma which claims Jihadists have killed hundreds of women by exploding bombs at a camp of Hindu women and children. Checking the video, Rumor Scanner finds it to be one from the death of five people in electrocution during Jagannath Dev’s Rath Yatra on 7 July.

A video falsely claiming to show a Hindu man demanding the whereabouts of his missing son was shared by at least three mainstream Indian media outlets on their X handle, Asian News International (ANI), NDTV, and Mirror Now.

These accounts receive significant engagement from their followers when they post communal misinformation. Many are sharing this misinformation on X to boost their engagement or retweet numbers-- Indian fact-checker Ankita Deshkar

However, Rumor Scanner found that the man in question is Muslim named Babul Howlader, who has been seeking information about his missing son since 2013 and participated in a protest for this cause.

Rumor Scanner also found that several other Indian media outlets and individuals associated with them were involved in spreading similar communal misinformation. This list includes X accounts from Zee News Madhya Pradesh and News 24.

The Rumor Scanner investigation unit also found that OpIndia’s editor-in-chief Nupur J Sharma routinely spread fake news from her X handle.
After one of her posts was identified as false and flagged by a Rumor Scanner team member on 11 August, she responded by blocking that particular member on X.

Rumor Scanner asked Indian fact-checker Ankita Deshkar why there has been an increase in communal propaganda in India recently. Ankita explained, “These accounts receive significant engagement from their followers when they post communal misinformation. Many are sharing this misinformation on X to boost their engagement or retweet numbers.”

Spreading of communal misinformation is just not limited to India, responsible individuals from various other countries also joined the fray.

Former Pakistani cricketer Danish Kaneria shared a video on his X account falsely claiming that cricketer Liton Das’s house had been set on fire. In reality, the footage was from an arson attack on Mashrafe’s house, and no such incident occurred at Liton’s residence.

Salwan Momika, an Iraqi-born man who has repeatedly caused controversy by publicly burning the Quran, has been found to regularly spread communal misinformation involving Bangladesh through his X account.

Of the 50 accounts examined in this research of Rumor Scanner, 13 posts contained similar instances where unrelated events were given a communal twist. The most prevalent form of misinformation involved misrepresenting Muslim individuals as Hindus.

Other forms of misinformation included repurposing old videos from unrelated incidents, falsely attributing attacks on Muslim establishments to Hindu establishments, misrepresenting arson attacks on different sites as attacks on Hindu properties, distorting political slogans, fabricating statements, creating fake Telegram accounts in the name of the BNP, and making false claims about the number of Hindu casualties.

In 80 per cent of the cases (40 posts), video footage was used to spread misinformation. In 16 per cent of cases, images and screenshots were used, while the remaining 4 per cent consisted of text-only posts.​

I do not know how Islamist think. They are brother of all Muslims across the world and think that Indian Hindus should not show even the news of oppression of Hindus, vandalization of their temple, collection protection money from Hindus etc. They believe that they have exclusive right of doing all wrong and other should not even oppose their oppression.

 

[Saif]

I do not know how Islamist think. They are brother of all Muslims across the world and think that Indian Hindus should not show even the news of oppression of Hindus, vandalization of their temple, collection protection money from Hindus etc. They believe that they have exclusive right of doing all wrong and other should not even oppose their oppression.

Just like what BJP and RSS did in Gujarat, right? As for the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, all Awami League leaders and activists regardless of their religious background were the targets of mobs. Please don't give it a religious color.

 

[Bilal9]

Just like what BJP and RSS did in Gujarat, right? As for the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, all Awami League leaders and activists regardless of their religious background were the targets of mobs. Please don't give it a religious color.

Any person sitting in India, having no idea about what is happening on the ground in Bangladesh - is completely enveloped by Godi Media propaganda, playing of "Hindu Card" and fake news.

Even two of the most prominent Gen Z Student Movement Coordinators (who happen to be Hindu) rejected India's attempt to use Bangladeshi Hindus as political pawn. One of these is MeghMallar Bose, and I'm amazed how clear-headed he was, when he gave time to one of India's media and explained the reasoning of the Anti-discrimination Students Movement to the panel - despite how hostile and ill-behaved some of the Indian commentators are. His entire narrative was that India's relationship with Bangladesh was based on disrespect and domination, which needed to change. Gen Z student activists in Bangladesh will not accept any other relationship from India.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

With extradition request looming, what is the future of India-Bangladesh relations?​

​

If Bangladesh formally asks for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who has reportedly failed to secure a political asylum in any other country, will it further strain the diplomatic relations between the two countries?​

Illustration: TBS

Soon after the former prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India and her government fell, the relations between India and Bangladesh entered a new phase, the contours and future of which remain unclear.

Sheikh Hasina had been a trusted more-than-a-friend to India, and the latter has always stated that in public. In the absence of Hasina in power, it was only natural that Bangladeshis would vent out their concerns about India's policies.

From wild rumours of RAW (Indian intelligence agency) operatives working alongside Bangladeshi law enforcers trying to suppress the mass uprising that eventually toppled Hasina, to the somewhat more nuanced speculation that the opening of Dumbur dam in Tripura caused the unprecedented floods in Bangladesh's Feni, Noakhali and Cumilla districts; the common man's belief that India would be upset at Hasina's ouster was not baseless, and it didn't take long to be proven true.

Last week, just a month after the interim government took charge in Bangladesh, Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh asked the armed forces of India to analyse the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza as well as the 'situation' in Bangladesh, and be prepared for war 'to preserve peace'.

Now, the armed forces do not start a war per se, the politicians do, and the analysis of the political situations and the interest in war or peace are also calculated by the latter. So asking the men in uniform to do the task of the politicians does not constitute a credible threat of war, but it surely shows that the Indian government is either upset, or it feels the need to put some pressure on the new Bangladesh government.



As fact checkers and world media - including the BBC - has already shown, the perceived 'widespread attacks on the minorities' is an exaggeration of the ground reality in Bangladesh, mainly a perception caused by relentless propaganda by Hindu fundamentalist elements in India, who are basically upset by the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina.

The impact of the latest developments on the bilateral relations extends beyond mere rhetoric though.


Border killings have seen a spike with at least two dead and several injured in separate incidents. On 1 September, 14-year-old Swarna Das, a school student, was shot and killed by BSF gunfire at the Kulaura border in Moulvibazar. BSF handed over her body two days after the killing. Nine days later, in a similar incident, another Bangladeshi teenager, 15-year-old Jayanta Kumar Singh, was shot dead by BSF in Thakurgaon border. Jayanta's father and another individual were also injured in the shooting.


Also, the train service between the two countries has not resumed since the fall of Hasina government, and now several Bangladeshi airlines have significantly reduced or temporarily suspended their flight operations to India due to a decline in passenger numbers emanating from limited-scale resumption of visa services that got suspended following the fall of the former government.

In this context, the question has arisen that if Bangladesh formally asks for the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, who has reportedly failed to secure a political asylum in any other country, will it further strain the diplomatic relations between the two countries?



Foreign policy and diplomacy experts think there is already some stress in the relations as India has to cope with the new tone that their counterpart is speaking in, but a working communication is also there.

Former ambassador M Humayun Kabir says he senses what he calls an "adjustment or understanding gap" between the two countries, and the question of extraditing the former PM will complicate things.

"Yes, there might be some stress in the bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India because of the special relationship of India with Sheikh Hasina. Although there is an extradition treaty between the two countries, the final decision to hand her over to Bangladesh authorities will be a political one. The decision will require a lot of thinking and courage and so on," he said.

"But the communication between the two countries at the diplomatic level is uninterrupted. We've seen Indian Premier Narendra Modi congratulate Dr Mohammad Yunus as soon as he (the latter) took oath as the chief adviser to the interim government. However, I sense an adjustment or understanding gap in the relations, as there is a disruption in rhythm vis-a-vis their usual relations with Bangladesh," the former ambassador said.

"Bangladesh used to speak to India in a 'wavelength' (tone) under the leadership of Hasina, but now the wavelength has changed," he explained.

The interim government of Bangladesh has made it clear that the country will pursue a relationship with India on a footing of equality and fairness.

Asked about India's silence over Bangladesh's request for a meeting of the two leaders on the sidelines of the upcoming UN General Assembly in New York, Humayun Kabir is hopeful that the meeting might be held eventually.

"We are closest neighbours, and both the countries have interdependence. Goodwill and efforts are required from both sides, and I think we'll return to a normal state of interaction soon," he said.

Rahul Gandhi also said in the aforementioned press conference, "I think there are concerns in India about extremist elements in Bangladesh, and we share some of those concerns…However, I'm confident that things will stabilise in Bangladesh, and we will be able to have a relationship with the current government or any other government that follows."

Dr Shahiduzzaman, former professor of International Relations at the University of Dhaka, on the other hand, thinks the diplomatic relations are "bound to deteriorate".

"You can judge it by the repeated border killings – no apologies have been offered. Bangladesh has lodged protests but India has not even cared to reply to that," the professor said.

"Although the Indian high commissioner has met the foreign affairs adviser and India is saying that they will release the credit funds and resume the infrastructure projects in Bangladesh, I don't think this will be done. And if the Bangladesh government sees that the loans are not provided and Indian workers are not coming back to resume railway construction, they will ask to stop the projects," he added.

Professor Shahiduzzaman is rather doubtful if India will ever extradite Sheikh Hasina to Bangladesh because they – Indian ruling party and the opposition alike – call her a friend.

The professor thinks there will be pressure on the Bangladesh government from the political parties and "politically conscious groups" to reevaluate and cancel various agreements that were signed under Hasina government without effective discussion in the parliament.

"The request to extradite Sheikh Hasina will be futile. However, it will take time to make a formal request, and by the time things will deteriorate," he concluded.

Meanwhile, after the chief prosecutor of the Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) told media that it was taking steps to secure the extradition of Sheikh Hasina, the Indian government has kept mum on the matter, making it hard to presume its stance on the matter.

Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, when asked about the matter in Berlin on Wednesday, said New Delhi conducts its interactions with governments through diplomatic channels, rather than responding to reports in the press.

"As you know there is a change in government in Bangladesh. And we obviously deal with the government of the day. How we deal with that is through diplomatic channels, not necessarily by the reports which will be reported in the press," Jaishankar said.

Bangladesh has a criminal extradition treaty with India which was signed in 2013, under Sheikh Hasina's government. The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) was also set up by Hasina in 2010 to investigate atrocities during the 1971 war of independence from Pakistan. Now she is facing murder cases filed against her in the ICT, and the government is likely to take advantage of the same extradition treaty she signed with India.

Just like what BJP and RSS did in Gujarat, right? As for the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, all Awami League leaders and activists regardless of their religious background were the targets of mobs. Please don't give it a religious color.

BJP and RSS does not do anything in Gujarat. Had that been a situation, Indian Muslims would have been in queue like Bangladeshi Hindus to cross the border at first opportunity. What BJP has done in Gujarat is to give highest numbers of government jobs to Muslims in India. You skip attack on temples. If Awami supporters irrespective of religion are attacked than situation is even worse. BJP and RSS are so cruel to Muslim that millions of Bangladeshis who have infiltrated in India do not want to go back to their native country with 90% Muslim population. No asylum seeker Muslims goes to any Islamic country but prefer to take refuge in Dar Al Herb.

 

[Saif]

BJP and RSS does not do anything in Gujarat. Had that been a situation, Indian Muslims would have been in queue like Bangladeshi Hindus to cross the border at first opportunity. What BJP has done in Gujarat is to give highest numbers of government jobs to Muslims in India. You skip attack on temples. If Awami supporters irrespective of religion are attacked than situation is even worse.

May be you are not old enough to remember the genocide of Muslims Norendra Modi conducted in Gujarat. Even the USA blacklisted Norendra Modi then.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

May be you are not old enough to remember the genocide of Muslims Norendra Modi conducted in Gujarat. Even the USA blacklisted Norendra Modi then.

It started with Genocide of Hindus in which 59 were burn alive in a train including ladies and children and subsequent retaliation by Hindus. Total 270 Hindus and 450 Muslims were killed which includes the people killed in police firing to control the riot. Numbers of people killed in police firing were 90. So Muslim genocide theory is a fabricated theory coined by Mullahs. What happened in Bangladesh in 1971 was the biggest Genocide of century.

(deleted content with religious baiting).

 

[Saif]

It started with Genocide of Hindus in which 59 were burn alive in a train including ladies and children and subsequent retaliation by Hindus. Total 270 Hindus and 450 Muslims were killed which includes the people killed in police firing to control the riot. Numbers of people killed in police firing were 90. So Muslim genocide theory is a fabricated theory coined by Mullahs. What happened in Bangladesh in 1971 was the biggest Genocide of century.

the problem with you guys is that when Muslims kills other, you celebrate (If not in public than at least in private). When you get retaliation, you play victim card. Same has happened in Israel Hamas case. When 1000 Israelis were killed, Muslims across the world were by and large jubilant. When Israel hit back, they started crying. This is the reason that you lack the credibility and when you play victim card, nobody supports you Including Islamic nation unless they have political agenda.

If some Muslims killed some Hindus in Gujarat, your government should have punished those who were involved in the killings. But they way your government handled the issue could not be accepted by the international community. This is precisely why the USA blacklisted Norendra Modi for conducting genocide in Gujarat. You cannot punish the whole community for the crimes of a few. Hope you understand my comments.

 

[Bilal9]

BJP and RSS are so cruel to Muslim that millions of Bangladeshis who have infiltrated in India do not want to go back to their native country with 90% Muslim population. No asylum seeker Muslims goes to any Islamic country but prefer to take refuge in Dar Al Herb.

This Bangladeshi Muslim infiltration narrative has never been proven, yet every BJP/RSS bhakt will repeat this ad-infinitum.

Even Awami Leaguers have debunked this theory from India.

The per capita GDP nominal of Bangladesh is higher than India and keeps on increasing compare to India.

Country comparison Bangladesh vs India GDP per capita (Dollars) 2024

Country comparison, you can compare any two countries and see the data side by side. Here you have the comparison of Bangladesh vs India, GDP per capita (Dollars)

countryeconomy.com

It seems totally against logic that people from a country like Bangladesh with plenty of low level value addition jobs for export (shoes, clothes, toys, you-name-it) would instead move to a country like India which is at the same time poorer and having no jobs for poor people. Why would they?

@Krishna with Flute - I am going to hold you to your statements to be factual, meaning please do not post or state anything, without factual proof to support it.

Otherwise, I will be forced to edit your posts.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

This Bangladeshi Muslim infiltration narrative has never been proven, yet every BJP/RSS bhakt will repeat this ad-infinitum.

Even Awami Leaguers have debunked this theory from India.

The per capita GDP nominal of Bangladesh is higher than India and keeps on increasing compare to India.

Country comparison Bangladesh vs India GDP per capita (Dollars) 2024

Country comparison, you can compare any two countries and see the data side by side. Here you have the comparison of Bangladesh vs India, GDP per capita (Dollars)

countryeconomy.com

It seems totally against logic that people from a country like Bangladesh with plenty of low level value addition jobs for export (shoes, clothes, toys, you-name-it) would instead move to a country like India which is at the same time poorer and having no jobs for poor people. Why would they?

@Krishna with Flute - I am going to hold you to your statements to be factual, meaning please do not post or state anything, without factual proof to support it.

Otherwise, I will be forced to edit your posts.

If you have the guts, discuss like a rational person without sending messages in conversation regarding rule violation to which I can not reply/Response. I have not violated any rule. Do not expose typical mindset of discussing topic in public and sending messages in conversation. I have least interest in discussing in forum like this.

 

[Bilal9]

If you have the guts, discuss like a rational person without sending messages in conversation regarding rule violation to which I can not reply/Response. I have not violated any rule. Do not expose typical mindset of discussing topic in public and sending messages in conversation. I have least interest in discussing in forum like this.

Please do not use this forum to further Godi Media propaganda (without proof from credible sources). All such posts will be removed.

Please avoid threatening and confrontational language - this is an international forum, not anyone's living room.

 

[Saif]

India hasn't been able to accept the fall of Hasina's govt: Badruddin Umar

Badruddin Umar, a writer, researcher, politician, and president of the Jatiya Mukti Council, said India has not been able to accept the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. He stated that this is due to deteriorating relationships India has with all its neighbours, with only Bangladesh being...

en.prothomalo.com

India hasn't been able to accept the fall of Hasina's govt: Badruddin Umar
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka
Published: 19 Oct 2024, 22: 51

Badruddin UmarFile photo

Badruddin Umar, a writer, researcher, politician, and president of the Jatiya Mukti Council, said India has not been able to accept the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government.

He stated that this is due to deteriorating relationships India has with all its neighbours, with only Bangladesh being treated as a subordinate state. Now this subordinate state has slipped out of India's hands.

During a discussion titled "July Mass Uprising: We Want Power in the Hands of the People, a People's Government, Constitution, and State," held at the National Press Club on Saturday, Umar pointed out that India has done what was necessary to keep Sheikh Hasina in power. The Jatiya Mukti Council organised it.

He noted that India feels uncomfortable providing her refuge and attempted to place her elsewhere, but ended up retaining her when no other country would take her.

Umar remarked that the Awami League has completely collapsed. He expressed disbelief in the possibility of the Awami League returning to power, comparing its current state to the demise of the Muslim League in 1954.

He described the recent mass uprising as the most extensive, profound, and aggressive since the events of 1952. Umar attributed this to unprecedented levels of oppression and torture over the last 15 and half years, which have turned elections into a farce. While there was public discontent, there was no opportunity for protest.

Regarding the term "second independence" being used for the changes resulting from the uprising, Umar dismissed it as absurd. He asserted that Bangladesh gained independence in 1971, and this uprising did not create a new state.

Umar also talked about the destruction of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's statues and the burning of his home after Sheikh Hasina’s flight in the face of the uprising.

He referred a recent article by Mahfuz Anam, editor of the Daily Star, which argued that it is inappropriate to associate Sheikh Mujib with Sheikh Hasina's misrule.

Umar countered that it was Sheikh Hasina who has linked everything back to her father, including propaganda against him, leading to protests that were not solely against Hasina's government but also against Mujib.

He supported the cancellation of holidays on significant days, such as 15 August and 7 March, questioning why 15 August should remain a holiday.

He mentioned that there are no holidays in honour of leaders like Indira Gandhi and Abraham Lincoln, who were assassinated.

Umar raised questions about calling Sheikh Mujibur Rahman the "Father of the Nation," noting that the people of this country have twice voted against him. He pointed out that no one came out in his defense after his assassination on 15 August 1975.

He called for an assessment of what Sheikh Mujib accomplished in the three and a half years after independence, asserting that his true identity was revealed only when he was in power. Umar highlighted the recent public actions against Mujib's statues as a verdict against him.

Regarding the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, Umar argued that it did not just appear all of a sudden. It was a response to the power vacuum created after Hasina's government was ousted.

He stated that without this government, the only alternative would have been military rule, questioning whether those criticizing the interim government would prefer military rule instead.

Umar advocated for a new constitution that aligns with current realities, noting the limitations of the interim government. He remarked that the class benefiting from Sheikh Hasina’s rule still exists and mentioned that both the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are political parties representing that class.

He expressed skepticism that the current government could bring about change in the people's conditions, stating that even if the BNP were elected, they would not have solved all problems. He emphasized that true equality cannot be achieved without class struggle.

Umar pointed out that the current government has failed to control rising commodity prices, suggesting that rationing is the only viable solution.
He criticized attempts to end student politics in educational institutions as "madness," asserting that the political violence practiced by the Awami League must cease.

Other leaders of the Jatiya Mukti Council including its secretary Faizul Hakim, also spoke at the event.​

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Please do not use this forum to further Godi Media propaganda (without proof from credible sources). All such posts will be removed.

Please avoid threatening and confrontational language - this is an international forum, not anyone's living room.

Make a policy of What can be quoted as the referance. Nobody can post a referance as power your wish /to support your narrative.