Under the cover of violence and unrest spread after the death of student leader Sharif Usman Hadi, fundamentalist forces are trying to make the upcoming elections meaningless and establish their dominance by fanning anti-India sentiments.
Bangladesh seemed to be moving towards stability with the announcement of elections on February 12 in the new year when the death of student leader Sharif Osman Hadi started another dangerous phase of violence. If this violent phase is not stopped, it could undo all the achievements and democratic principles that were achieved through the movement. Hadi himself was going to contest elections from Dhaka. The attack on Hadi took place the day after the Election Commission announced the dates for the general elections. Hadi was a senior leader of the student group Inquilab Manch. He was also a harsh and outspoken critic of India and often accused New Delhi of interfering in the politics of Bangladesh. The students’ dislike for India has a lot to do with the fact that, like the opposition political parties, they too consider New Delhi a “sympathizer” of Sheikh Hasina. Earlier, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) used to call Hasina an Indian puppet. Now fundamentalist elements are trying to dominate Bangladesh.
Reason for anger: BNP demonstration in Dhaka after Hadi’s assassination
In view of the infiltration of fundamentalist elements into the protests, Inquilab Manch has distanced itself from violence. The forum said, “They (fundamentalists) actually want to make Bangladesh a failed country through sabotage, violence and arson. They want to endanger the independence and sovereignty of this country.” It is natural to express grief over the death of a popular young leader. Anti-Awami League and related anti-India sentiments are also common. So, when violent mobs came out openly on the streets, the interim government of Muhammad Yunus remained a helpless and silent spectator. Critics are accusing Yunus of adopting a soft attitude towards radicals. Awami League believes that Yunus is promoting them.
The mob targeted the minorities. A man named Deepchandra Das was publicly beaten to death. Indian establishments and diplomatic missions were also attacked. The special thing is that even the media was not spared. The Daily Star and Prothom Alo newspapers, considered close to Nobel laureate Yunus, were also targeted. Yunus’ press advisor Shafiqul Alam has apologized for the government’s failure to provide security to the media. He said, “Alas! I could have dug the ground and buried myself in shame.”
When Alona’s voice became sharp in the attack on Hindu, Christian and Buddhist minorities in India, the central government lodged an objection with Bangladesh and asked it to stop such attacks immediately. However, the Bangladesh government said it was “media overreach and the incidents have been exaggerated.” On the other hand, Dhaka Police Chief has said that according to our information, two of Hadi’s attackers have crossed the border to Meghalaya, a north-eastern state of India, with the help of some local people and are in the custody of the Border Security Force (BSF) or police there. But this was denied by India and BSF spokesperson said that no one has come to this side from across the border. All these developments are indicating increasing tension, which cannot be said to be auspicious for both the neighboring countries.
Many worrying questions are arising from such situation. For example, what is the ultimate objective of all this and who is instigating anti-Awami League and anti-India sentiments? Are these elements against the electoral process itself and want to derail the elections to be held in February? The situation is continuously getting worse. There is increasing concern whether Islamic radicals are trying to seize power and will they succeed in it? Bangladesh has been deeply divided since independence from Pakistan in 1971. The ongoing violence has once again exposed the deep fractures in the country, which is already grappling with political turmoil following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mob torches newspaper office after news of student leader Hadi’s death in Bangladesh
Meanwhile, BNP chief Khaleda Zia’s son Tariq Rehman and party’s working president has returned from Britain after 17 years. He had gone to Britain fearing alleged political persecution only after the Awami League government was formed there. Now it is expected that if BNP wins the elections, he will be the next Prime Minister. His mother has also become elderly and her health is also not said to be good. Perhaps an attempt has been made to give the same signal through the huge rally to welcome Rahman on his return.
Apart from BNP, the National Citizen Party of the agitating students is also an important player in the elections. But the assassination of its most popular leader Hadi and attacks on other leaders has made it look weak. Awami League may be kept away from the elections or the remaining leaders and workers in the country may not be able to muster the courage to come out in the extremely hostile environment. However, India’s State Department spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal has said that the hope is that the elections will be conducted fairly and no one will be stopped from participating. Obviously, he is referring to not keeping Awami League away from the elections. But the way fundamentalist elements are becoming dominant in Bangladesh and sentiments against Awami League and India are being continuously instigated, it does not seem that the elections will be inclusive.
However, if the National Citizen Party of students and youth succeeds in getting a good number of seats, then perhaps the fundamentalist elements will be controlled to some extent. Yunus government and the present government officials seem helpless in front of them. There is also a fear that if the current period continues for a long time, elections may not be held at all. In such a situation, its period of instability may also continue for a long time.
This is a matter of biggest concern for India. The instability in Bangladesh could dangerously increase the influence of fundamentalist elements there, and it shares borders with India’s sensitive north-eastern states. After assuming power in 2009, Sheikh Hasina had initially handed over United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) militants to India. He also took action against extremist and separatist organizations from various North-Eastern states that had taken shelter in Bangladesh. New Delhi has been grateful to Sheikh Hasina for taking action against the rebels in the North-East.
Now the fear is that these elements will again be allowed to take refuge in Bangladesh. There was peace in the Northeast after Hasina came to power. But this cannot remain so now. Not only this, there is also a fear that Pakistan’s spy agency ISI in Bangladesh may also get a free hand to promote Indian rebel groups.
Student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, who was murdered
Hadi was shot in the head on 12 December. He died on 18 December. The blame and suspicion of the attack was on Awami League workers and India. There were rumors that the conspirators had crossed the border to India, which further increased anger. Authorities accused Faisal Karim Masood of firing the shots and named Alamgir Shaikh as his alleged accomplice. Both are suspected to be Awami League workers.
Bangladesh is well aware of the troubles in India’s North-East. This is why Hasnat Abdullah, leader of the agitating students’ National Citizen Party, warned India, “If Bangladesh is destabilized, the fire of protest will spread across the borders. You are giving shelter to those who are destabilizing us, so we will also give shelter to the separatists of the seven sisters.” India wants stability in the neighborhood for development and instability and chaos in Bangladesh will not be good for New Delhi’s interests.
Pinak Ranjan Chakraborty, former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, says, “It is certain that the difficulty in movement of goods and equipment between the two countries will affect the economic system. Pakistan will also try to take advantage of the chaos and send fake Indian currency across the border through its agents. We will have to tighten our border security and avoid infiltration by terrorists. China can also try to grab projects in Bangladesh.”
For these reasons, we will keep an eye on the developments there and see what shape the situation takes. India’s business interests are also involved. Opposition parties including Congress also allege that in view of Adani’s power project, the central government is avoiding giving a strong message to Bangladesh. On the other hand, in view of the West Bengal elections, BJP and its affiliated organizations are taking out big protest marches in Bengal and Delhi. Whatever the case, instability in the neighborhood is not a good sign.
