Hadi, a leader of the student protest group Inqilab Mancha, was an outspoken critic of India. He was shot on the streets of Dhaka last Friday while riding on a rickshaw. Two men on a motorbike followed Hadi, and one shot him before they fled the scene.Bangladesh is currently experiencing a complex and volatile situation marked by political instability, social unrest, and economic strain. India views the developments with concern, considering them its “greatest strategic challenge” in the region since 1971, and has called for stability and democracy.
Bangladesh is sliding into open lawlessness. Regime-backed militants have torched newspaper offices, stormed Indian diplomatic missions or residences, and lynched a Hindu minority youth by tying him to a tree and burning him alive.
As mobs rule the streets, the interim regime headed by a Nobel Peace Prize winner has turned its coercive power inward. The de facto interior minister has ordered police to arrest members of the opposition Awami League even where no cases exist against them, while the law minister has urged courts to deny bail to all such detainees. Together, these directives amount to an assault not only on press freedom but on the rule of law itself.
The message is unmistakable: dissent and minorities are no longer safe. In the wake of these attacks, the country’s two leading newspapers have been forced to shut down.
Current Situation in Bangladesh:
Following the mass protests in August 2024 that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus took charge. The situation remains volatile, with uncertainty surrounding the schedule for new democratic elections, which the Awami League has been barred from participating in.
Key elements of the present situation include:
Political Unrest and Violence:
Incidents of violence, attacks on minority and tribal communities, and intimidation of journalists and academics have become widespread.
Widespread Protests:
The recent death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader of the 2024 pro-democracy uprising, triggered a wave of anti-India protests and violence, with media houses being targeted and an uneasy calm prevailing in Dhaka.
Economic Challenges:
Rising inflation and an economic slowdown are compounding social tensions.
External Influence:
India’s parliamentary panel has flagged rising Chinese and Pakistani influence in the country as a major concern.
India’s Position and Saying
India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and a recent parliamentary committee report outline a nuanced but concerned approach.
Official Stance:
India officially regards the domestic situation in Bangladesh as an internal matter but emphasizes the importance of a democratic, stable, peaceful, and inclusive Bangladesh.
Diplomatic Engagement:
India continues to maintain engagement with the interim government and all stakeholders through diplomatic channels, aiming to insulate bilateral relations from domestic turbulence.
Extradition Request:
Tensions have risen over India’s sheltering of the ousted Sheikh Hasina, whom a Bangladeshi court sentenced to death in absentia. Bangladesh has formally requested her extradition, a request India has “noted” but has not acted upon, citing concerns the trial was conducted in absentia.
Security and Border Issues:
Anti-India rhetoric has intensified on the streets, leading to the temporary closure of Indian visa centers due to security concerns and the summoning of the Bangladeshi envoy by India over provocative statements. One Bangladeshi leader even threatened to shelter separatist groups if India attempted to destabilize Dhaka, prompting a strong objection from New Delhi.
Humanitarian and Economic Support:
Bangladesh has requested a secured supply of essential items from India, which New Delhi is considering.
Violent mobs attacked the offices of two of the country’s biggest newspapers – the Bangla-language Prothom Alo and English-language Daily Star. The mob ransacked the offices and set the buildings on fire, trapping a number of staff inside. All the while the law enforcement agencies did nothing to prevent it. The army arrived when the buildings were already burning. They pushed the crowd back to allow the fire trucks to come in and rescue the staff. No one was arrested.
While this was going on, the Chhayanaut cultural centre, an iconic institution promoting Bangla culture especially works of Rabindranath Tagore, was attacked and thoroughly trashed. And, like a ritual, the Mujib memorial museum at Road 32 in Dhanmondi was attacked for the third time, with crowds trying to demolish whatever was left standing after previous attacks. No intervention from law enforcers or arrests there or Chhayanaut either.
Photo Courtesy : DD News
