Bangladesh:  a Bloody history and for India:

(Dr Pentapati Pullarao)

The French Revolution took place 240 years ago. That revolution removed their monarchy, and the royal family was killed. Chinese leaders Mao Tse Tung and Chou Enlai were great believers in history and its lessons. When Mao was ruling China about 50 years ago, a French writer asked him what he thought was impact of French revolution. Mao said “Only 175 years have passed. It is too early to know the impact of French revolution.

Bangladesh was created in 1971 with India’s help totally. Then, India glorified the creation of Bangladesh, saying that it will cure the Pakistan illness for India. But what seems to be happening is that India has 2 problems instead of one.

Many times, I imagine what if Bangladesh was not created in 1971 and allowed it to be a part of Pakistan and remain a festering septic sore. Pakistan would be dying a hundred deaths. But in the meantime, India faces a regular problem from Bangladesh.

The Bangladeshi removal of Prime minister Sheikh Hasina in the beginning looked as if I was immense spontaneous public anger and government and army were unable to control it. But slowly as things settle down, it is becoming obvious that there were many foreign countries and also perhaps the deep involvement of the Bangladesh military. As times goes, these things will be confirmed.

Bloody history of Bangladesh:

Bangladesh was then called East Bengal. The West Pakistan politicians would never allow East Bengali Mujibur Rehman to form a government though he won the elections in- there was violence and Pakistan put it down with the military. There was a war and with India’s help in 1971, Pakistan surrendered Bangladesh.

Bloody history of Bangladesh :

1. Bangladesh was founded in 1971, after being separated from Pakistan. Sheikh Mujibur Rehman became Prime Minister. But in 1975, some military officers assassinated the founder of Bangladesh Sheikh Mujibur Rehman. The military officers killed everyone present in the house, including women and children. Only Sheikh Hasina (who was the ousted prime Minister) and her sister Rehana escaped as they were abroad. No mercy was shown.
2. The killers of Mujib Rehman were all given postings in foreign countries for the rest of their lives.
3. The Army general Zia took over and ruled Bangladeshi as military dictator. In 1981, other army officers assassinated general Zia ur Rehman.
4. In 1982, General Ershad took over Bangladesh and ruled till 1990 as massive agitations broke out against his corruption and other habits.  
5. In 1991 elections were held and widow of general Zia, Mrs. Khaleda won. But Khaleda Zia was involved in so much corruption and there was chaos. She lost the 1996 elections to Sheikh Hasina.
6. Sheikh Hasina also ruled badly and she lost the 2001 elections Pakistan and China created of trouble  by funding agitations against her. Again, Khaleda Zia became prime minister.
7. In 2007, Khaleda Zia was ousted and jailed for corruption. Military took over and put Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia in jail. Imagine 2 prime ministers in jail at the same time.
8. Elections were held in 2008, and Sheikh Hasina won and continued to rule till she was ousted on August 5, 2024.

Even in Pakistan, there was not as much violence  as in Bangladesh. Ever since its birth in 1971, Bangladesh has faced agitations , military rule, assassinations and foreign interference.

What happens now:

1. There is general talk that as Sheikh Hasina has been ousted, the next Bangladesh government will be hostile to India.  But hostility is a two-way street and India’s hostility to Bangladesh will be very costly for Bangladesh.
2. The other blackmail factor is that there are about  50 lakh Hindus left in Bangladesh . Obviously, they are being killed and harmed. This is the only weapon in Bangladesh’s hands.
3. India of 2024 is very different from India of 2000. There will be a hard stance from  India unlike before.
4. India can now boldly implement CAA and allow Hindus to enter India. India can also start evicting illegal people from Bangladesh  with great energy. This might happen if a new Bangladesh government acts hostile.

Megalomania of Khaleda Zia :

Khaleda Zia has eben the enemy of Sheikh Hasina since 1991.  In her life, Khaleda has been in jail for long times. Khaleda has also seen her husband general Zia ur Rehman assassinated brutally in 1991. She expects she will become prime minister . But elections have to be held and Sheikh Hasina’s party will challenge  her.

Khaleda Zia forgets that in the last 15 years there is a huge middle class  in Bangladesh, who want peace. Just yesterday, Khaleda said “ How can we have good relations with India, when Sheikh Hasina is allowed there ?  Khaleda said that India must evict Sheikh Hasina immediately

The megalomania of Khaleda Zia seems endless and un-treated.

Khaleda Zia is ignorant that India gave Dalai Lama of Tibet refuge in 1959, when China warned India against it. India is a land of Dharma and does only good things.

India must assert itself:

India should assert itself. A message should be sent to the Chief of Bangladesh Army that India expects respect. Our border gates should be open to all Minorities who want refuge in India. When crores entered illegally from Bangladesh, what harm is there if 50 lakhs Hindus and Christians enter legally?

The fact is that ever since Bangladesh has been founded, it had a bloody history and total in-stability.  Bangladesh presents a great chance for India to assert itself and change the terms of relations with Bangladesh.

(Author is a Political and Economic Analyst based at New Delhi)