Minorities under threat in Bangladesh The Excelsior 12 Dec 2024 Maj Gen Harsha Kakar

Minorities under threat in Bangladesh The Excelsior 12 Dec 2024

Last week, adviser for Information and Broadcasting of the interim government of Bangladesh, Nahid Islam, tweeted that Indian ruling elite and Hindutva forces were ‘engaging in divisive politics and anti-Bangladesh rhetoric.’ He added that student leaders planned setting up a media cell to counter the Indian narrative that fundamentalism was growing in Bangladesh. The Sheikh Hasina government was toppled in August and Mohamad Yunus appointed as interim Head of State with an advisory body.

Sheikh Hasina has since been residing in India. There will be demands for her extradition, but will be ignored as the India-Bangladesh extradition treaty does not cover political leaders.

Most members of the Bangladesh administration have limited governing experience and unable to control growing anarchy. In reality, the Bangladesh army is running the show from the background. Security forces hesitate to act against perpetrators of communal violence fearing levels of radicalization amongst their own members.

Yunus was an active member of the Clinton Foundation as also was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2009 by Obama, prior to being airdropped into Dacca as head of the interim government. His relationship with Donald Trump has never been cordial and hence the nation could face stumbling blocks in the future.

Yunus released jailed Islamists as also lifted the ban on the Jamaat-e-Islami, the country’s largest Islamist party pushing for an Islamic state. The BNP (Bangladesh Nationalist Party) and the Islamists have historically been close and Yunus would need their support to manage the nation. China recently invited members of the BNP and Islamist political parties to Beining, intending to exploit the anti-India sentiment.

Attacks on minorities have risen with the departure of Sheikh Hasina, release of Islamists from prison and lifting of bans on them. The Bangladesh government is downplaying communal violence claiming they are politically motivated due to Sheikh Hasina’s proximity to New Delhi.

In three months, Bangladesh has slid from a growing economy to a lawless state, with security forces unable to stem violence. Businesses are closing, bringing the economy to a standstill. The hope that Yunus would reignite economic growth and rebuild the economy is fading.

Despite pronouncements by Dacca and its accusing India, targeting of minorities has garnered global attention. Donald Trump mentioned in his Diwali message, ‘I strongly condemn the barbaric violence against Hindus, Christians, and other minorities who are getting attacked and looted by mobs in Bangladesh, which remains in a total state of chaos.’

In many western countries, attacks on minorities have been discussed in parliaments and the Yunus government chastised. The Biden government has gently criticized ongoing atrocities largely due to its continued support to anti-Sheikh Hasina factions. This possibly was due to Sheikh Hasina unwilling to accept US demands.

India and the US have not seen eye-to-eye on Bangladesh. This was evident when the handout by the MEA on the Biden-Modi tele-conversation, post PM Modi’s visit to Kiev, mentioned that the two leaders discussed the situation in Bangladesh, while the US handout did not refer to it.

PM Modi also raised security of Hindu’s while congratulating Yunus, however to no avail. There is not a single day when reports of attacks on minorities do not emerge from Bangladesh. Even peaceful protests of minorities face crackdowns involving security forces backed by members of the Jamaat-e-Islami.

Yunus had initially admitted to targeting of minorities and even visited Dhaka’s historic Dhakeshwari temple to reassure the Hindu community. However, his government has since then done little to stem the violence. The latest incident to gain global traction is the arrest of ISKCON priest, Krishna Das Prabhu, and denying him bail. Fatal attacks on his advocates have resulted in his prolonged detention.

The Bangladesh Bar Association has barred its members from representing him, under threat of death. The Indian MEA commented, ‘This incident follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings.’

In India, protests against the arrest of Krishna Prabhu are rising. Hospitals, hotels and restaurants in Agartala have refused to accept Bangladesh citizens. In addition, there have been global protests spreading from Helsinki to New York. There was violence at the Bangladesh consulate in Agartala. The Bangladeshi interim foreign minister, Touhid Hossain, commented, ‘Indian media has gone berserk over the issue. They are trying to portray Bangladesh in the darkest possible light.’

The Bangladesh government denies India’s criticism of violence against minorities claiming it as an internal matter of the country adding such statements ‘not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between two neighbouring countries. Ensuring safety and security of all citizens, particularly members of religious minorities remain a duty of the government of Bangladesh.’ Dacca is also attempting to spread the narrative that Indian accusations are false.

India and Bangladesh have supported each other for over five decades. There was cooperation in every field. The complex issue of enclaves was resolved in 2015, as also India accepted the United Nations Convention on Law of Sea decision on maritime boundary in Bangladesh’s favour in 2014. However, this cooperation appears to be ebbing. India is unlikely to provide the same nature of support in the future.

Bangladesh’s economy is sinking. If it deteriorates further, there could be unrest and violence. It needs Indian support, not only for import of food grains, medicines, cotton for its garment industry and electricity but also on the global stage. This can never flow from blackmail and maltreatment of the minority community. India can twist tails but does not believe in doing so. Dacca has to understand New Delhi’s red lines and respect them.

While India will engage will all power brokers in Bangladesh, it has made it clear that unless it cracks down on violence against minorities, normalcy in ties is unlikely. Bangladesh witnessed its first taste of Indian unity when its cricketers were ignored in the recently concluded IPL auction. It was a message that all Indian business houses, which control cricket franchises, disapprove of violence against minorities. Wonder if Dacca has understood the Indian sentiment.