Unrestrained Turmoil in Bangladesh: A Growing Threat to India
— Lalit Gargg—
The developments unfolding in Bangladesh over the past few weeks are no longer confined to being an internal crisis of a single nation. They have begun to pose a grave warning for the overall geopolitical stability of South Asia. The violent unrest that erupted in Dhaka and several other cities following the killing of young student leader Sharif Usman Hadi has exposed the stark inability of the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to enforce the rule of law or protect society from rising extremism and mass hysteria. Rampaging mobs on the streets, attacks on Hindu minorities, demolition of Hindu religious sites, arson at media offices, assaults on journalists, and systematic attempts to silence dissent all indicate that Bangladesh is rapidly sinking into a swamp of anarchy. This situation is as disastrous for the future of democracy as it is dangerous for regional peace.
The most alarming and tragic dimension of this turmoil is the deliberate and conspiratorial construction of an anti-India narrative. Without any credible investigation, India has been blamed for the murder of Sharif Usman Hadi, followed by attempts to target Indian diplomatic missions. These actions make it clear that the violence is not merely spontaneous public outrage, but part of a carefully orchestrated political and ideological agenda. History bears testimony that whenever political instability intensifies in Bangladesh, certain extremist forces conveniently deploy anti-India sentiment as a tool—to inflame public emotions and divert attention from their own governance failures. The interim government’s silence or inaction only strengthens the suspicion that it has either lost control over these forces or has chosen to compromise with them. Most dangerous in this context is Pakistan’s calculated role in fanning anti-India hostility.
India’s decision to temporarily suspend its visa centers and summon the Bangladeshi High Commissioner must be seen as a necessary and balanced diplomatic response. It is the fundamental responsibility of any sovereign state to ensure the safety of foreign missions and diplomats. Attempts to target Indian establishments in Dhaka, coupled with the administration’s hesitant response, clearly demonstrate the interim government’s failure to fulfill this basic obligation. Diplomacy is not merely the language of goodwill; it is also a means of conveying firm messages. India cannot and will not accept indifference when it comes to the safety of its citizens and institutions.
The most painful and sensitive aspect of the current crisis is the deteriorating condition of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly Hindus. The brutal lynching of a Hindu youth on allegations of blasphemy proves that extremist elements no longer fear the administration. When justice is hijacked by mobs and the government limits itself to ritualistic statements on minority rights, it amounts to a direct assault on the soul of a democratic state. The silence of the international community in this context raises disturbing questions. Global platforms that routinely preach human rights and minority protection fall conspicuously silent when such violations occur within politically convenient frameworks.
The warning issued by Sajeeb Wazed Joy, son and adviser of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, that the fire engulfing Bangladesh will not spare India, is not mere political rhetoric but a harsh reality. With thousands of kilometers of shared borders, deep socio-cultural ties, and economic interdependence, instability in Dhaka is bound to impact India’s border states. Illegal infiltration, activation of extremist networks, and a rise in cross-border crimes will inevitably escalate alongside this instability.
The general elections proposed for February could have provided Bangladesh an opportunity to return to stability through democratic means. However, under present conditions, serious doubts loom over their transparency and peaceful conduct. Extremist forces are deliberately stoking violence to manipulate public sentiment and tilt the balance of power in their favor. Ensuring free, fair, and fearless elections is the interim government’s responsibility, but all indications so far suggest that it is failing this crucial test.
Pakistan’s role in this entire scenario cannot be ignored. Destabilizing South Asia and igniting unrest, violence, and extremism in India’s neighborhood has long been part of Islamabad’s strategic playbook. The ideological, communal, and at times covert support extended to radical groups and anti-India elements in Bangladesh is not unprecedented. For Pakistan, Bangladesh’s internal fragility presents an opportunity to open yet another front against India. From coordinated social media propaganda to systematic disinformation campaigns, multiple signs point to Pakistan’s thinking being actively involved in nurturing anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh—the same strategy that has already plunged Afghanistan and Pakistan itself into prolonged instability.
India has consistently stood for a stable, prosperous, and democratic Bangladesh. Through economic cooperation, infrastructure development, and humanitarian assistance, India has demonstrated its commitment to partnership rather than dominance. However, if Bangladesh’s interim government allows its territory to be used for anti-India activities and communal violence, repairing the emerging cracks in bilateral relations will become extremely difficult. This is not merely a matter of diplomacy, but of trust and shared regional security.
The interim government now stands at a crossroads. One path demands firm action to prove that it is not hostage to extremist ideologies and that it is committed to restoring the rule of law. The other path—marked by inaction and appeasement—will push the nation deeper into crisis. History clearly shows that the latter ultimately destroys democracy, the economy, and the social fabric alike.
Bangladesh today is descending into chaos at a time when elections are imminent. The credibility and democratic nature of these elections have already become doubtful. Preventing Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League from participating while granting space to Pakistan-aligned Jamaat-e-Islami and other extremist forces reflects the dubious intent of the Yunus-led interim government. The gravest concern is that post-election Bangladesh may witness the emergence of an Islamist extremist-dominated regime—one that openly works against India and unleashes systematic persecution of minorities.
For India, therefore, this is not merely a moment to express concern but to pursue vigilant and proactive diplomacy. Strengthening border security while raising Bangladesh’s current developments on global platforms with clarity and factual rigor has become imperative. If this fire raging in the neighborhood is not extinguished in time, its heat will not remain confined to Bangladesh alone—it will scorch the entire South Asian region. Safeguarding stability, democracy, and coexistence demands that Bangladesh’s present anarchy be treated as a serious warning, not as a transient phase of political turbulence.
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