Bangladesh’s political shift, ties with Pakistan, and Sheikh Hasina’s extradition requests fuel tensions with India.
New Delhi: The political landscape in Bangladesh is undergoing dramatic changes after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, and the formation of an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus.
Since August 5 2024, significant events have unfolded in Bangladesh, raising concerns within the Indian establishment.
A top official in the interim government, speaking to The Sunday Guardian on the condition of anonymity via phone from Dhaka, said, “Things are changing in Bangladesh, and we don’t want to follow the path taken by Sheikh Hasina. Her hands are stained with blood, and we are calling for her extradition so that she can stand trial for the atrocities she committed.”
Bangladeshi media reports indicate that major revisions to the country’s school textbooks are in the works, including a controversial shift of historical narratives. One key alteration involves the claim that Ziaur Rahman, husband of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and former President of Bangladesh, was the one who proclaimed the country’s independence on March 26, 1971, instead of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Additionally, the announcement of the “Proclamation of the July Uprising,” led by Students Against Discrimination, has been delayed, with an official citing the need for political consensus.
“We don’t intend to adopt the heavy-handed approach of Sheikh Hasina, who suppressed her political rivals with brutality. We need all the stakeholders on board nad a political consensus”, said the official.
When asked to comment on the revision of historical content in school textbooks, the official expressed confusion over India’s heightened interest in the matter, emphasising that the history written during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure may not represent the complete picture of Bangladesh’s past.
“There are multiple perspectives, and it is important to acknowledge all of them. The history written during Sheikh Hasina’s rule or under the Awami League cannot capture the entire social-political spectrum “, he added, but refrained from commenting further until the final draft of the revised textbooks is ready.
The official also claimed that the Awami League is in a state of denial and lacks leadership to navigate the current crisis. This comment followed remarks by Jamaat-e-Islami, which indicated that Awami League may not be able to contest the elections, which are expected to be held before May 2026.
Ties with Pakistan
Another contentious issue affecting Indo-Bangladesh relations is Bangladesh’s growing closeness with India’s arch-rival, Pakistan.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Prof Yunus have met twice since the fall of Sheikh Hasina, and reports are indicate the growing trade ties between the two nations.
Some reports also claim that Bangladeshi troops may soon be sent to Pakistan for military training and a military exercise in Karachi, scheduled in February.
When being asked to comment on this, the official in the interim government declined to comment stating, “Why such suspicion about this?”
Another contentious issue is the extradition of Sheikh Hasina. Bangladesh has expressed its desire to bring Hasina back to face trials for alleged human rights violations, further straining Indo-Bangladesh relations.
“Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri’s visit helped to ease tensions between our countries, but there remains a sense of unease,” the official noted.
“We have formally requested Hasina’s extradition and are awaiting India’s response on this matter”, he added.