After the October 28, 2023 Surgical Operation to silence the political opposition that led to a Dummy Election on January 7, 2024 in Bangladesh, an uneasy quietness prevailed on the two major fronts: the political opposition in the country which had been campaigning for years for an election under a neutral authority, and the US led West that had insisted on a free, fair and participatory election. A fair poll would mean the ouster of the unpopular Hasina administration, favored by India. Political analysts thus believe the shot came from the big neighbor, which held a considerable stake in the governance and management in its eastern flank. It is also rumored that New Delhi sought help from the powerful Jewish lobby to change the American election stance in Bangladesh. Once the main wicket fell, others just followed suit.
Chanakyas used their intelligence outfit, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to take care of the domestic situation in Bangladesh. Reportedly, nearly 40,000 RAW operatives work in almost all departments and agencies, including the military and police, as well as political parties in the country, to ensure compliance with New Delhi’s interests. No wonder why the opposition movements keep failing. However, it is the 180 million people of the country who are at the receiving end of the high drama. They are left to continue groaning under the repressive steamrollers.
The Start
The disaster struck Bangladesh on January 11 (1/11), 2007 when Army chief General Moeen U Ahmed, falling prey to an India-led external conspiracy, betrayed the nation by staging a palace coup to remove the constitutional government. Former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee acknowledged in his memoir The Coalition Years (2017) that he personally assured the Bangladeshi general of immunity against any legal action for the 1/11 extra constitutional act. And, the betrayal continued until India’s protege Sheikh Hasina was installed in authority though a rigged election in December 2008. RAW ensured that she stayed in power by defrauding subsequent elections to continue serving the Indian agenda. A few years back, Hasina publicly bragged that India would never forget what she had given them. At home, democracy, human rights and freedom became things of the past, and the election system turned into a laughing stock.
Lost Sovereignty
“Bangladesh has since transformed itself from a sovereign state to a virtual vassal state that among other things have put India’s interest above those of Bangladesh,” summarized Ghulam Suhrawardi on April 9 2024 in his article in the US-based South Asian Journal. He said so while reviewing a recently published book by Pinaki Ranjan Chakravarty, a former High Commissioner to Bangladesh, on Indo-Bangladesh relations. Suhrawardi credited Chakravarty and his then boss Mukherjee for the disaster that has befallen on Bangladesh since January 11, 2007.
“When a significant civilizational state is astray, it impacts its neighborhood and stability, threatening regional security,” said Professor Asanga Abeyagoonassekeraof the Kentucky Northern University, pointing finger towards India. He blamed the West for neglecting the smaller nations in South Asia that encouraged “India’s ambition in the region” and to be hegemonic. Bangladesh is a glaring example.
(Undemocratic Rule of Modi’s India is a Security Threat to South Asia | South Asia Journal
*The writer is a democracy and human rights activist.
April 15, 2024
The viewpoints expressed by the authors do not necessarily reflect the opinions, viewpoints and editorial policies of Aequitas Review.
