The birth of Bangladesh was marked by the exploitation of anti-Pakistan sentiments orchestrated by India. In a bid to create a new nation, India worked against the very concept of an Islamic state, undermining religious values and fostering ethnic pride. The love for Bengali language and culture was exaggerated, creating an identity crisis as West Bengal remained excluded from the newly formed Bangladesh. The scars of this manipulation continue to linger, sowing the seeds of discontent among the people.
Bangladesh, born from the crucible of Indian exploitation in 1971, finds itself once again at a crossroads. The opposition stance resounds with a powerful narrative, advocating for the country’s autonomy and denouncing India’s meddling in its domestic affairs.
The Politics of Awami League
Today, as one political party tightens its grip through dictatorship and electoral rigging, the opposition asserts that it is violating the value of democracy. Allegations of collusion with India to colonize Bangladesh ignite anger among the populace. India’s desire for a friendly Bangladesh, vehemently anti-Pakistan, clashes with the natural tendency of the people to align with Islamic culture and fraternity. The government’s pro-India policies are questioned, as fellow Muslims face mistreatment, even lynching, at the hands of Hindu mobs in India.
The United States, advocating for free & fair elections and fair treatment of the opposition, finds its calls ignored as the ruling party, allegedly with the support of India, tightens its grip on Bangladesh. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), founded in 1978 as a response to identity crises, now leads the charge against perceived Indian interference.
The opposition accuses India of never being a true friend to Bangladesh, manipulating its political landscape and elections. The BNP, with roots in re-Islamization and a shift in foreign policy away from India, condemns India for attempting to control Bangladesh’s destiny. Accusations of terrorism and designation on opposition party fuel the ‘India Out’ movement. Slogans like “India is not a friend of Bangladesh” echo across social media, inciting anti-India sentiment.
The orchestrator of the movement, Tarique Rahman, allegedly operating from London, instructs party members to replicate anti-India movements observed in other regions. The cyber wing of the BNP calls for the boycott of Indian products.
In the backdrop of history, the ‘India Out’ movement is seen as a manifestation of deep-seated animosities. The opposition stands firm, asserting the sovereignty of Bangladesh and urging the World to recognize its struggle against external manipulation.
Opposition branded as traitors, a common narrative in developing nations.
The opposition, labeled as traitors for disagreeing with the government’s decisions, is seen as representing the concerns of the people. Tariq ur Rehman, blamed for anti-state activities, becomes a symbol of resistance against foreign interference. The call is clear – India should cease meddling in the internal affairs of its smaller neighbors, be it Maldives or Bangladesh.
Atta Rasool Malik, a veteran from Pakistan’s semi-tribal regions, possesses an M.Phil. in international relations from the National Defence University, Islamabad. His expertise spans South Asian and Middle Eastern politics, political economy, and Islamic and Jewish theology.