Tensions between India and Bangladesh have escalated following allegations by Bangladesh's interim government of "double standards" in India's stance on minority rights and accusations of a misinformation campaign by Indian media. The controversy arises amid protests and diplomatic exchanges over the arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das on sedition charges in Bangladesh, alongside growing dissatisfaction among Bangladeshi citizens regarding India's perceived interference in the country’s internal affairs.
Bangladesh's interim Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul criticized India's concerns as unwarranted, citing a recent survey by Voice of America Bangla. The survey indicates that 64.1% of Bangladeshis believe the interim government under Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has provided better security to minority communities compared to the previous Awami League government. Yunus's government, formed after ousting Sheikh Hasina's administration earlier this year, has faced scrutiny over its policies and actions towards minority rights and dissenting voices.
Bangladesh Responds to Indian Media and Diplomacy
Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, representing Yunus, urged Bangladeshi journalists to counter what he described as an "industrial scale misinformation campaign" by Indian media. Alam, a former journalist, stated that Bangladesh must assert its narrative to prevent external forces from dictating public perception. In a Facebook post, Alam emphasized the importance of confronting these campaigns with truth, dismissing assumptions of Indian intellectual superiority while highlighting Bangladesh's revolutionary transition to the current interim government.
At the grassroots level, protests have erupted in Bangladesh, particularly at Dhaka University, where students demonstrated against India’s alleged interference and demanded the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India during the protests that led to her ousting. The protesters also called for a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh, accusing it of contributing to communal tensions.
Student Rights Council President Bin Yamin Molla criticized India for its alleged "border killings" and religious persecution within its own borders. He highlighted incidents involving violence against Muslims in India, accusing the Indian government of attempting to destabilize Bangladesh by exploiting communal differences. Protesters also demanded a review of bilateral agreements signed with India over the past 16 years, including water-sharing arrangements for transboundary rivers.
India’s Position
India, meanwhile, expressed grave concerns over what it described as increasing extremist rhetoric and rising violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated India's commitment to advocating for the protection of minorities in Bangladesh and called on the interim government to fulfill its responsibility in this regard. India has consistently raised the issue of targeted attacks on Hindus and other minority groups with Bangladeshi authorities, highlighting the need for swift action to address such incidents.
The arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, has further fueled tensions. Das, arrested at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on sedition charges, was accused of disrespecting the Bangladeshi national flag during a rally in Chattogram. Denied bail, Das's imprisonment has triggered protests among his supporters, who argue the charges are politically motivated.
Broader Implications
The strained relations underscore longstanding complexities in India-Bangladesh ties, where issues of minority rights, border disputes, and water-sharing agreements remain contentious. With nationalist and religious sentiments on the rise in both countries, the diplomatic rift could impact regional stability and cooperation. Both nations face the challenge of balancing internal political dynamics with the need to maintain a constructive bilateral relationship.
