India questions the rights of the Hindu minority under the interim Bangladeshi government
After the students-led revolution in August that toppled autocratic ex-premier Shiekh Hasina’s government, the ties between Dhaka and New Delhi soured. She was patronaged by India in her 15-year long tenure and took political asylum after her fall. Since then, the protests and uproars of claimed communal conflict set Bangladesh on fire.
Two countries share 4000km common boundary. Hindus make up about 8% of Bangladeshi population of 170M. The friendship of India and Bangladesh became official after liberation war in 1971. India-Bangladesh friendship pipeline is the prominent example of India and Bangladesh partnership which supplied petroleum products from Siliguri to Parbatipur. The development projects of Chittagong and Mongla ports streamlined the regional trade.
However, the Indian, from last four months, is lashing out Bangladeshi government over reprisal of the Hindu community. The sedition charges against 19 people who participated in minority rally in the Port city of Chittagong have inflamed tensions. The group was accused of disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag for hoisting a saffron flag.
On 2nd Nov, hundreds marched in Dhaka to demand protections for Hindus and other minorities who say they have suffered threats and violence since Hasina fled. “It’s deeply regrettable that the council of advisers do not acknowledge the suffering minorities have endured” Hindu civic leader Charu Chandra Das Brahmachari said, “I have witnessed the atrocities against them_ their temples, business and homes.”
The detainment and bail denial of Chinmoy Krishan, ISKCON leader, under sedition charge resulted in clash between supporters and security forces. The supporters killed the Muslim prosecutor. The people set anti-ISKCON protest in Chittagong. Indian also staged demonstration to release the Hindu Monk and criticized government to threaten the Hindu minority.
on 2nd Dec, an attempt by Hindu activists to storm a Bangladeshi consulate in an Indian city Agartala is the latest flare-up in strained ties between the neighbours. The Bengalis held numerous rallies this week to protest. Though India took notice and detained seven people over the incident and decided to send top diplomate to ease tension between countries.
In recent interview after, Shiekh Hasina made a public claim that Hindus are undergoing genocide in Bangladesh. Bangladesh responded that no target persecution of any group. With Hasina, India is trying to discredit the government. Muhammad Yunas, interim head of government, has condemned the acts of “Indian aggression” and allegations. He faced numerous criminal proceedings in Hasina’s reign as he was a vocal critic of India for supporting her despite the mounting right abuse seen over the years.
But from past few years and just after the fall of ex-premier, the anti-India sentiments started surging thought the country apparently because of reluctant support of Hasina. The mass has started showing reservation over intervention from India. Bangladeshi manufacture say that Indian products hurt their business, and that India does not give the tariff benefit to Bangladesh. Intelligence agency interference is further fanning the flames of contention. Many reports from Bangladesh claims that India’s RAW was active in country and it also affected political decisions.
Despite cratering diplomatic ties, the two neighbours are key economic partners with annual bilateral trade worth about $16 billion. Verma Indian High Commission ambassador stated, “This is a wide-ranging relationship, a multifaceted relation.”
Yonus’ administration has condemned attacks on Hindu during chaotic hours after Hasina’s ouster. But he said that many cases they were motivated by politics rather than religion. He accused India for running a ” propaganda campaign” under Hasina’s influence to undermine efforts to build ‘New Bangladesh’ after revolution.
