From Quotas to Chaos: The Growing Storm in Bangladesh and Bharat’s Unseen Role

Paromita Das

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 18^th Dec. Since July 2024, a significant political and humanitarian crisis has been unfolding on Bharat’s doorstep, yet New Delhi’s response has been tepid at best. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar have been lauded for their deft handling of international crises, but when it comes to the escalating violence in Bangladesh, their actions seem out of sync with Bharat’s historical role in the region. The crisis, rooted in student unrest against the quota system, has quickly transformed into an existential threat to the Sheikh Hasina government, triggering violent clashes, particularly targeting Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. This crisis is complicated by regional and international dynamics, which demand a much more assertive response from Bharat.

The unrest in Bangladesh began as a student protest against the controversial quota system, which had already been rejected by the country’s Supreme Court. However, what should have been a dying movement has morphed into a broader political crisis, largely driven by the Islamist political faction Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), banned by Hasina’s government. The protests have escalated into violent attacks against Hindus, including the destruction of Hindu temples and widespread arrests of Hindu monks. The situation has caused a wave of refugees fleeing Bangladesh into Bharat, further complicating bilateral relations.

Bharat’s role in Bangladesh’s liberation struggle in 1971 is well remembered, especially as Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the nation’s founding father, was a staunch ally during the Mukti Bahini movement. Yet, as the years have passed, Bangladesh’s gratitude towards Bharat has waned, largely due to unresolved issues such as water-sharing disputes over the Teesta River, and Bharat’s perceived interference in Bangladeshi politics. Bharat’s ongoing support for the Hasina government has been seen by some in Bangladesh as a form of unwanted intervention, contributing to anti-Bharatiya sentiment.

Religion has emerged as the dominant factor in Bangladesh’s political discourse, replacing the cultural and linguistic ties that once defined the nation’s identity. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism has been partly a reaction to Bharat’s growing right-wing politics, and there is speculation about external influences, particularly from Pakistan’s ISI and other terrorist organizations. While Prime Minister Hasina has accused the United States of fomenting unrest to weaken her government, the complex reality involves multiple actors, including the growing influence of China in Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the potential role of a pro-US interim government that could shift the regional power balance.

The question on everyone’s mind is how Bharat should respond. Economic sanctions, as some have suggested, are unlikely to be effective, as China and the West are ready to step in with support. However, Bharat’s failure to take a strong stance on the situation in Bangladesh is perplexing. Despite the severity of the violence against Hindus and the destabilizing effect of the protests, Bharat’s official stance has been limited to expressions of “deep concern” rather than direct condemnation. Why has Bharat not made a stronger statement? Why has Modi and Jaishankar not taken the opportunity to engage diplomatically, emphasizing the importance of peaceful resolution, democratic elections, and the protection of secular governance in Bangladesh?

Moreover, the fact that the crisis in Bangladesh is directly affecting Bharat’s own borders, particularly in West Bengal, adds an urgency to the matter. The refugee crisis is not just a humanitarian issue but one that threatens to destabilize Bharat’s eastern frontier. West Bengal, which shares a long border with Bangladesh, is particularly vulnerable to the ripple effects of the turmoil. The people of Bengal—both Hindus and Muslims, intellectuals, and civil society groups—must rally for secularism and the protection of a pluralistic society not just in Bharat, but across the subcontinent. It is time for the people of Bharat to speak out more forcefully, to support Bangladesh’s secular traditions and stand against the rise of religious extremism.

The issue of dividing countries along religious lines, as some political parties have suggested, is a disastrous proposition, as history has shown. Partitioning based on religion has brought untold suffering, and a military intervention in Bangladesh would have dire consequences for the entire region. A “tit-for-tat” policy, as some might advocate, would only exacerbate tensions. The way forward lies in diplomatic engagement, where Bharat can lead the charge in advocating for secularism, democracy, and regional stability.

The solution lies not in confrontation, but in dialogue. The rising tide of religious extremism in Bangladesh is a direct threat to the region’s pluralistic identity. As Blaise Pascal aptly noted, “Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction.” This quote serves as a timely reminder that unchecked religious zeal can fuel atrocities and conflict. Bharat’s responsibility, given its position and historical ties to Bangladesh, is to act as a beacon of reason and secularism in an increasingly divided world.