Bangladesh’s Descent into Islamist Violence Against Hindus

 A Geopolitical Nightmare for India

An unstable Bangladesh, mired in radical Islamism and political violence, has long been India’s geopolitical nightmare. Recent developments have exacerbated this concern. In August, widespread protests and a harsh government crackdown culminated in the military-backed ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had veered toward authoritarianism. However, instead of ushering in a democratic transition, the regime change has plunged Bangladesh into deeper chaos. Human rights abuses, lawlessness, and the rise of Islamist groups now threaten to turn the country into a new global flashpoint.

Sheikh Hasina: Balancing Authoritarianism and Stability

Sheikh Hasina, despite her authoritarian tendencies, had been a stabilizing force in Bangladesh. Once a pro-democracy leader who helped topple the military regime in 1990, Hasina later consolidated power as Prime Minister but kept both the powerful military and Islamist movements in check. Under her leadership, Bangladesh’s fragile stability was maintained.

In South Asia, military-backed regimes are notorious for their heavy-handed suppression of dissent, while militaries with unfulfilled ambitions often exploit unrest to seize power. In Bangladesh, the military refused to enforce a lockdown amid widespread protests. Once Hasina was ousted, it quickly installed an interim administration and ensured her departure to India before she could formally resign.

A Military-Mullah Nexus in Power

The interim regime is nominally led by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who rose to prominence with the support of a student-led, Islamist-backed protest movement. However, the 84-year-old Yunus serves merely as the civilian face of what is effectively a military-Islamist alliance. Despite lacking constitutional legitimacy, the interim administration has offered no timeline for national elections, deepening political uncertainty.

Curtailing Freedoms and Suppressing Dissent

Under the interim regime, press freedom and civil liberties have been severely curtailed. Journalists face systematic harassment, with 167 press credentials revoked without explanation and 129 journalists charged with fabricated cases of murder, abduction, or assault. Scholars, lawyers, and critics of the regime have also faced legal persecution. In October alone, more than 7,000 individuals were arrested, and political detainees have reported physical assaults while in custody.

The regime’s crackdown has extended to minority communities as well. Late last month, a Hindu monk was arrested on sedition charges after leading peaceful protests demanding protections for Bangladesh’s Hindu minority. This is part of a larger trend of targeted violence. Hindu communities, along with Buddhists, Christians, indigenous groups, and Islamic sects deemed heretical, have been subjected to attacks by jihadi mobs. At one anti-Hindu protest, Islamist marchers openly chanted, “Catch them and slaughter them.”

The Islamist Resurgence

The rise in Islamist violence is a direct consequence of the interim regime’s policies. It has lifted bans on jihadi groups with known links to terrorism and released radical Islamist leaders, including one convicted for murdering a secular blogger. The regime has also signaled plans to remove secularism from the country’s constitution, further emboldening extremist forces. In some instances, Islamists have enforced their radical ideology by targeting women for “immodest” attire, showcasing their intent to impose a rigid moral code on society.

Implications for India and the United States

An unstable Bangladesh, overrun by radical Islamism and political violence, poses a serious threat to India’s security. Beyond India, the United States must recognize that the current trajectory in Bangladesh is also detrimental to its own strategic interests. Washington’s pressure on the interim regime to restore stability, protect minorities, and uphold democratic principles could help address the crisis. Such a shift would not only strengthen regional security but also contribute to mending America’s strained relationship with India.

 A Call for Urgent Action

The developments in Bangladesh are a cause for global concern. The international community, particularly the United States, must act swiftly to prevent Bangladesh from becoming a hotbed of Islamist extremism and political instability. For India, the stakes are especially high, as a destabilized neighbor threatens regional peace and security. Urgent intervention is necessary to safeguard Bangladesh’s secular foundations and ensure a path toward stability and democracy.