Wed Dec 04 11:55:04 UTC 2024: ## Bangladesh Crisis Deepens: India-Bangladesh Relations Plummet Amidst Violence Against Minorities
**DHAKA/NEW DELHI** – A wave of violence targeting religious minorities in Bangladesh following the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August has plunged relations between India and Bangladesh to a new low. The interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been accused of failing to curb the violence, leading to widespread condemnation from India and international human rights organizations.
Transparency International Bangladesh reports over 2,000 incidents of violence against minorities since Hasina’s departure. These attacks have targeted homes, places of worship, and businesses, prompting concerns from the United Nations about human rights violations.
The situation has been further exacerbated by several incidents, including the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and journalist Munni Saha, as well as the alleged desecration of the Indian flag at Bangladeshi educational institutions. These events have fueled anti-India sentiment, with some analysts attributing it to a confluence of anti-Awami League sentiment and a resurgence of anti-India and Islamist forces.
Professor Sanjay Bhardwaj of JNU’s School of International Studies suggests that groups historically opposed to Bangladesh’s creation and India’s influence are exploiting the political vacuum. The inclusion of an advisor from the ultra-Islamist outfit Hefazat-e-Islam in Yunus’s government further fuels concerns about the rise of religious extremism. A Bangladeshi journalist, speaking anonymously due to safety concerns, described the situation as dire, likening the country to Afghanistan or Syria.
The interim government’s actions, including the acquittal of individuals linked to anti-India insurgent groups and the review of power plant agreements with India, have severely strained economic ties. Furthermore, increased cooperation between Bangladesh and Pakistan, including a new visa policy and direct maritime trade, has raised concerns in India.
The lack of strong condemnation from Western powers has been criticized, although recent statements from British MPs and US President-elect Donald Trump offer a glimmer of hope for international intervention. The Biden administration’s silence, however, reflects a history of strained relations between the US and the Awami League.
The situation remains highly volatile, presenting a significant challenge for India, which is closely monitoring the developments and formulating its response to this multifaceted crisis.
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