Kumar Bahukhandi
On 5 August 2024, Sheikh Hasina had to leave Bangladesh and take refuge in India. -File Photo:
It has been a year since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government. This time was not only full of disappointment for Bangladesh, but the influence of fundamentalism increased in the free air and secular fabric of this country. Minority Hindus were suppressed. Bangladesh’s foreign policy almost took a U-turn and Mohammad Yunus is now rolling out the red carpet to welcome Pakistani rulers.
5 August 2024. That is the date that changed the history of Bangladesh. Last year on this day, Sheikh Hasina’s government collapsed in Bangladesh after a long agitation and hundreds of murders. There would be very few examples in modern history where a country’s elected government had to go because of a student movement.
This movement of Bangladesh brought a wave of hope for the country. After the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina’s government, which was in power for about 15 years, there was hope for a new system in Dhaka. When the command of this regime change was given to Nobel Prize winning economist Mohammad Yunus, the hopes increased even more.
But the last one year has not only been full of disappointment for Bangladesh but the influence of fundamentalism increased in the free air of Dhaka. Minority Hindus were suppressed here. Bangladesh’s foreign policy almost took a U-turn and Mohammad Yunus started hugging Pakistan, from which Bangladesh made lakhs of sacrifices to come into existence as an independent country.
Let us understand the developments of Bangladesh in the past one year.
Rise of fundamentalism and attacks on Hindu minorities
During the reign of Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh took important steps towards economic progress and secularism. The Awami League government kept a tight check on fundamentalist organizations like Jamaat-e-Islami. But with the fall of Sheikh Hasina, the interim government of Bangladesh under the leadership of Mohammad Yunus lifted the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami. This has further empowered fundamentalist forces.
The Hindu community, which is about 8% of Bangladesh’s population, has become the biggest victim of this instability. More than 2,200 violent incidents have been recorded since the coup, including murders of Hindus, attacks on temples, and looting of properties. Holy places like Dhakeshwari temple were targeted, and 15 Hindu houses were demolished in Aladadpur village of Rangpur district.
The interim government is giving assurances but the violence against Hindus is not stopping. Bangladesh’s Attorney General Mohammad Asaduzzaman has demanded the removal of the word “secular” from the Constitution. This may affect the lives of the Hindu community.
India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Yunus in Dhaka and raised the issue of safety of minorities, but there are no clear signs of improvement in the situation.
Anti-India sentiments and BNP’s role
Sheikh Hasina’s government was a supporter of friendly relations with India. During her rule, India-Bangladesh relations touched new heights. But Bangladesh Nationalist Party and Jamaat-e-Islami have an uneasy relationship with India. Apart from this, the new student party NCP formed after the coup has also fueled anti-India sentiments. These parties and organizations present the issue of infiltration of Bangladeshis in India in a wrong way in their country.
Apart from this, India giving shelter to Sheikh Hasina is also being used for anti-India propaganda in Bangladesh. Chief Advisor Mohammad Yunus also raised the issue of Sheikh Hasina in front of PM Modi. Apart from this, Mohammad Yunus also spoiled relations with India by making irresponsible statements on the northeastern states of India. Mohammad Yunus had mentioned the northeastern states of India and said that Bangladesh is the only guardian of the Bay of Bengal. India had made a sharp comment on this statement.
After the departure of Sheikh Hasina, Khaleda Zia’s influence has increased in Bangladesh- File Photo- AP
Recently, Bangladesh demolished the heritages of two prominent personalities of India, Rabindranath Tagore and legendary director Satyajit Ray.
Growing closeness between Pakistan and China
Bangladesh is now leaning towards Pakistan and China. After years, officers of the Pakistani Army and ISI are visiting Bangladesh. It is a harsh truth of history that it was the Pakistani Army that caused mass slaughter in Pakistan during the 1971 war. Mohammad Yunus had a warm meeting with the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Sea trade with Pakistan, which was closed for years, has resumed.
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is coming to Dhaka on 23 August. This will be the first bilateral visit of any Pakistani Foreign Minister in the last three decades.
When a journalist asked Bangladesh’s foreign affairs adviser Mohammad Tauhid Hussain if Bangladesh would take India’s concerns into account while expanding its ties with Pakistan, he gave a provocative answer.
Mohammad Tauhid Hussain said, “I do not decide what India’s relationship with Pakistan will be like. Similarly, India will certainly not decide how our relationship with Pakistan will be.”
On the other hand, China is also taking its relations with Bangladesh into the military domain. Mohammad Yunus visited Beijing in March 2025. Both countries celebrated it as the 50th year of diplomatic relations. During this time, China offered Bangladesh $ 2.1 billion in investment, loans and grants. This includes projects like the Chinese Industrial Economic Zone in Chittagong and the modernization of the Mongla port.
Bangladesh has also accepted China’s participation in the Teesta River Project. This move of Bangladesh has become a diplomatic challenge for India. China is Bangladesh’s biggest partner. Bilateral trade between these two countries reached $18.5 billion in 2024. China is building infrastructure projects in Bangladesh under the Belt and Road Initiative. This includes the Padma Bridge rail link. Bangladesh recently purchased killer drones from Turkey and plans to strengthen military infrastructure near the Indian border, which is seen as a threat to India.
Economic and social crisis
Bangladesh’s GDP growth rate averaged 6.5% during Sheikh Hasina’s rule, but under Yunus’ leadership it has fallen below 4%. Unemployment is at its peak and major economic activities like the textile industry are in crisis. At the social level, secularism and liberal values are under attack. Bangladesh’s instability is bringing many challenges for India. Security threats are increasing on the northeastern borders. The rise of radical forces can affect regional stability. At present, the Indian government has kept a close watch on the situation in Bangladesh and has kept the Border Security Force on alert.
