NEW DELHI, India, Dec 10 (IPS) – Even as India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Bangladesh amid concerns over attacks on Hindu minorities, he carried a bag of grievances: it was not a good policy. It was one in which India focused its grief, rather, anger, on the persecution of Hindus under the new regime in Bangladesh.
Kumkum Chadha In the past few weeks he has seen an increase in incidents of violence against Hindus. In the Parliament of India, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of India S. Jaishankar acknowledged that India was “very aware” of violence against Hindus and other minorities and attacks on temples and religious sites across Bangladesh. The Indian government specifically mentioned the attack on the Puja mandap in Tantibazar, Dhaka and the theft from the Jeshoreshwari Kali temple in Satkhira during Durga Puja 2024. Tensions flared again after the arrest of a Hindu monk who had recently been expelled from the International Society. of Krishna Consciousness, commonly known as ISKCON or the Hare Krishnas. He was arrested on charges of treason. Subsequently, thousands of Hindu monks marched to the Bangladesh border in West Bengal; protesters attacked the Bangladeshi embassy in the Indian state of Tripura. To relate these events to recent political events in Bangladesh would be a big mistake. Behind this outbreak there is a bloody history and a burning anger against India. The Hindu minority in Bangladesh has historically faced persecution, mostly from other violent elements. That the common man on the streets of Bangladesh has this strong anti-India sentiment is a given. India was seen as an “oppressive neighbor” especially by the younger generation of Bangladesh who felt that the now ousted government under Sheikh Hasina was subordinate to India: an “unequal relationship” to quote many. Fast forward to now and the situation is dire, to say the least. As a nation and as a neighbour, India has done little to assuage feelings or heal wounds. So to say that it is anti-Hasina things that are fueling the agitations and attacks will be missing the wood for the trees. One has to admit and accept that India went ahead to support the government under Sheikh Hasina at the cost of ignoring everyone else. That’s why when he was removed from office and the interim government under Dr. When Mohammed Yunus took over, India was not viewed as a reliable friend. If anything, the historical relationship between the two countries is more fragile than ever. Add to this the perceived marginalization of Muslims under the Hindu BJP government in India and the divide is complete. In this case, one cannot fault the current era as it has facts on its side. Apart from history, recent developments also provide enough ammunition for the current government and people of Bangladesh to find anger against India. And in this case, one has to start from the beginning. First, take refuge in Sheikh Hasina. It is no one’s business to even suggest that India should have sacked the embattled former Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina or anyone else. Giving him refuge was, as some put it, “the honorable thing” for any neighbor to do. What’s under the scanner is his longevity. For the record, when Hasina came to India after being expelled from the country she ruled for 15 years, it was said to be a temporary refuge. He had applied for asylum in the United Kingdom which hit the streets due to technicalities. So far “temporary stay” seems to be limited to permanent residents. When India’s Foreign Minister told the Indian Parliament about her sudden arrival in Delhi in August, she pointed out that Hasina’s initial request was “only momentary”. That months have passed with no sign of an immediate solution is another matter. The fact that India does not have a refugee policy allows the government to be flexible in its response. Critics see this as an “easy way” to allow Hasina to stay as long as she wants. Fingers are being pointed at the Indian government which is not moving an inch to communicate with the concerned parties for Hasina’s return. At least apparently. This and with good reasons is enough to anger the Yunus regime in Bangladesh and erase India as an “oppositional neighbor”. Worse still, Sheikh Hasina’s political statements against the current government of Bangladesh from Indian soil reinforce the idea that India is adding fuel to the fire.
In a virtual speech ahead of Misri’s visit to Bangladesh, Hasina accused the Yunus regime of being “fascist” and allowing terrorists to run free. In her 37-minute speech, Hasina spoke about the attacks on minorities. By doing this, he not only highlighted the concerns of the Indian government but also positioned himself as one of the causes of concern that India is trying to resolve on a diplomatic and bilateral basis. In this context one is forced to ask: Why does the Government of India not ban Sheikh Hasina? Why does he allow him to dominate the political waters? Why does he allow the soil of India to be a good platform for talking about politics? And why is he allowing Hasina to attack a regime India should be repairing a completely fractured relationship? These questions and angst are not limited to the streets of power but the will has also found its way to the streets. So the Hindu focus may be based on religious prejudice but one cannot discount the common man’s anger at India’s policy of “protecting Hasina at all costs” even at the cost of damaging bilateral relations. Therefore, India needs to reorient its approach and policy towards Bangladesh before its relations reach a low point leading to a conflict situation.
Kumkum Chadhawriter and senior political reporter with Hindustan Times
