Bangladesh, a country in India’s neighbourhood, saw a drastic political upheaval in the last few months. The so-called student protest and revolution have not only changed the political culture of the country but also changed the society at large, with radicalisation at an all time high. Once, it was known for its revolutionary stance against the occupying and brutal force of Pakistan and fighting vehemently for their freedom, with the assistance of India in the early year of the 1970s. Now, the same society has been carrying out the purge of its religious minorities, particularly the Hindu community. Additionally, it has failed to show gratitude towards its liberator, India.
Mahfuj Alam, special aide to Dr Yunus and Advisor of Interim Govt and the proclaimed mastermind of violent ouster of Sheikh Hasina, made a provocative Facebook post on the anniversary of the Historic day in which he talked of annexing part of India’s eastern and northeastern territories. He alleged that India maintains a “contain” and “ghettoize” policy towards Bangladesh. He clearly states that 1975 (the coup which saw Sheikh Mujib and almost his entire family killed) and the 2024 protests both came to save Bangladesh from Indian “reliance” and “hegemony“. Incidentally, while the boy blustered in the contentious posts, he ended up deleting the post when people smacked him with History books, reminding him of his Matrubhoomi-rhinn.
In Bill Clinton’s presence, Yunus called Alam the “brain” behind the “meticulously designed” operation that toppled Hasina. Now this Islamist “student” leader (who dropped out of university in 2016) wants a Greater Bangladesh incorporating parts of India. https://t.co/R5rMHvdayt…
— Brahma Chellaney (@Chellaney) December 17, 2024
The fact is when the Pakistani Army, brutality increased on the people of East Pakistan. When the cloud of rape, murder and excessive violence surrounded East Pakistan, the Indian Army rescued them. The foundation of Bangladesh is not only on the graves of Bengalis of East Pakistan but also on the blood of Indian soldiers. The people of Bangladesh should not forget that when they were being persecuted in their own land for their identity, for who they are, for what they represent, it was India who gave them shelter and food, gave critical training and support to the Mukti Bahini.
India still has a Bengali colony in almost every city; the people who migrated to India during the persecution still fill their stomachs with the gains that are harvested on Indian Land.
While paradropped Bangladeshi ‘brain’, dreamt of annexing parts of Indian territory, the ‘youth’ leader Alam missed out on key History lesson, he must have learned in class, that the Liberation of Bangladesh, their sovereignty was achieved because of India’s help. India was the first country to officially recognize them on the International stage and in International institutions. It seems like Bangladeshi society has forgotten how to be grateful towards an entity that once helped them to establish and grow. India lost its 1989 brave soldiers in the Bangladesh Liberation war and proudly upholds the victory day, the inception day of Bangladesh as Vijay Diwas on December 16.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid tribute to soldiers as India commemorated Vijay Diwas to mark the surrender of Pakistani forces to the Indian Army in 1971, leading to the creation of Bangladesh.
In response, Bangladesh interim government law adviser Asif Nazrul on Monday strongly protested against PM Narendra Modi’s Vijay Diwas tribute to the Army, stating that India had no part in the 1971 victory. This is nothing but abject content to the sacrifices, legacy of their forefathers, their choice to seek the metaphorical Rajdand of Nyay from India, to the valiant Indian soldiers, their unbreachable war strategies, logistical and the ultimate sacrifice countless Indian soldiers, and most importantly their families did so that the persecuted Bengali breathens seeking HELP, be saved from butchery and their perpatrators be served Justice.
It is an undeniable fact that a larger global scheme of things with far deeper and nefarious intentions at play, geopolitical games and domestic powerplay brought down the Sheikh Hasina Government in Bangladesh. Regardless of the vile Western propaganda laced with genuine fatigue and anti-incumbency against the then-reigning government, Sheikh Hasina was tirelessly working for the people of Bangladesh. The country was reaping results in the form of good economic growth, growth in per capita income and friendly relations with its neighbours, and most importantly, protecting the country from Radicalisation and arrest the fall of Bangladesh to the times of Medieval era, which the JeM was hell-bent to bring in, in the country with the help of Pakistan.
However, for political gain, religious vendetta mixed fake news with the help of foreign agencies, the rioters toppled the Hasina government. Since then, the country has been unstable with increased religious violence and an economic downturn, which, if at all, is the least of the priorities of the illegitimate Md Yunus government. The incumbent leadership in Bangladesh have to understand that provoking India and persecuting religious minorities, Hindus, for political gains and religious bigotry, are not going to be beneficial for them in the long term. India is not going to change from the map, and the less we say the better, it has been only progressive and proud Bangladeshis, who, with little help from India in keepin Pakistan at bay, curbed the stranglehold of the JEMs who always wanted to sold BANGLADESH’s sovereignty to Pakistan and re-christianed it as EAST PAKISTAN again.
India has reiterated several times the India-Bangladesh partnership is founded on deep historical, linguistic, cultural, and economic linkages that have strengthened in the last decade, inspired by the spirit of their shared sacrifices of 1971 and guided by their new aspirations of the 21st century. They have collaborated on the national development visions of “Viksit Bharat 2047” and “Smart Bangladesh Vision 2041”. However, the advent of radicalisation, at a brisk pace, is not beneficial for Bangladesh, or South Asia.
It is important to mention here that India has not only assisted Bangladesh diplomatically and militarily but has also assisted them economically. Bangladesh is the largest receiver of India’s Line of Credit (LoC). India has extended a LoC of US$ 1 billion to Bangladesh since 2010. The money was spent on the Construction of the Second Bhairab Bridge, the supply of 120 railway passenger coaches, the supply of 10 broad gauge diesel-electric locomotives, the supply of 290 double-decker buses, 50 articulated and 88 single-decker air-conditioned buses. The US$ 2 billion credit agreement signed in March 2016 is being used to implement socio-economic development projects in Bangladesh and strengthen bilateral relations. The new LoC will cover projects in areas of Roads, Railways, Power, Shipping, SEZs, Health & Medical Care and Technical Education.
Over the last eight years, India extended three LOCs to Bangladesh worth $8 billion and additional grant assistance for several infrastructure projects, according to a Ministry of External Affairs note. The sectors include roads, railways, irrigation, shipping and ports. “
If someone looks into the data, they will find Bangladesh as the recipient of LoC in India’s top ten countries. The total amount of LoCs Credit that Bangladesh received till 2016 was 2862US$ million.
This article is for the brothers and sisters of Bangladesh to understand India’s contribution to Bangladesh since its inception. India has assisted Bangladesh diplomatically and financially from time to time. India has engaged Bangladesh as a friendly neighbour by sharing its water, resources, and even educational institutions by providing scholarships to Bangladeshi students for the betterment of the Indian subcontinent. The article may remind them of India’s political and societal nature for them. The Bangladeshi leaders should take a step back before commenting and putting India in a bad light because, unfortunately, it is going to affect them more in comparison to India.
