Md. Shawkat Alam Faisal

In the Bollywood film "Lage Raho Munna Bhai," a group of old-age home inhabitants, lead by the endearing Munna Bhai, calmly but relentlessly battle a dishonest builder, Lucky, to recapture their house wishing him "Get Well Soon, Lucky!" every now and then. This wonderful act of civil defiance serves as a compelling metaphor for what Bangladesh may need to do to oppose external meddling in its internal affairs, notably from its neighbor, India. Recent developments have highlighted India's alleged involvement in inciting political and communal strife in Bangladesh in order to maintain its strategic footing.

The fall of Sheikh Hasina's government on August 5, 2024, resulted in severe political upheaval in Bangladesh. Prolonged public unrest, sparked by student-led protests and supported by general citizens of the country resulted in Hasina's resignation and eventual escape to India. This upheaval occurred amid charges that India has long supported Hasina and the Awami League to protect its regional interests. For example, in previous election cycles, India was accused of implicitly aiding the Awami League to guarantee favorable results. India's apparent provision of a safe heaven for Hasina exacerbated anti-Indian sentiment in Bangladesh, with opposition organizations demanding her extradition under bilateral treaties.

Critics argue that by reportedly encouraging instability, rioting, and sectarian tensions, India may have been exploiting Bangladesh's internal vulnerabilities to destabilize opposing forces and restore its dominance since the beginning of August. Incidents of violence against minority communities, notably Hindus, have been linked to broader narratives of religious divide. Such acts not only erode communal unity in Bangladesh, but also serve to discredit opposition parties by portraying them as incapable of maintaining peace and stability. This technique reveals a worrying pattern of external manipulation aimed at strengthening selected political partners while worsening internal differences.

In addition to the claims of involvement, India has been accused of generating man-made floods in Bangladesh by opening upstream barrages and dams without prior notice. Such efforts, particularly during monsoon seasons, have resulted in rapid and severe flooding of Bangladeshi farmlands and villages. Critics argue that this strategy is used a geopolitical tool to put pressure on Bangladesh's government during times of political instability, exacerbating an already fragile position.

Indian news media and social media platforms have been heavily chastised for promoting fake news, misinformation, and disinformation about Bangladesh, exacerbating rumors and fueling communal tensions. According to recent "Rumor Scanner" findings, 49 Indian media outlets have circulated false news on Bangladesh. They are accused of disseminating obsolete film of attacks on the Hindu population in Bangladesh and portraying it as current happenings. These media channels have also portrayed the new Bangladeshi government as extremist and terrorist friends. Furthermore, false narratives have circulated that Hindu girls and women are being raped by Muslims and are unable to leave their homes wearing religious symbols such as Shakha and Shidur. Moreover, these inaccuracies have been reinforced throughout hundreds of pages and news portals on all social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (previously Twitter), and others, reaching a worldwide audience as well. The widespread dissemination of such content not only misrepresents the situation in Bangladesh, but it also exacerbates tensions between religious communities, hampers peace efforts, and jeopardizes the integrity of both countries' media landscapes.

On December 2, 2024, the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, India, was attacked by Hindutva-affiliated parties, notably the Hindu Sangharsh Samiti, purportedly over reports of minority persecution in Bangladesh. The attack resulted in severe property damage, vandalization of national flag and increased diplomatic tensions, prompting Bangladesh to call India's High Commissioner in Dhaka to lodge a formal complaint. This episode, considered as a violation of diplomatic standards, highlights the growing antagonism fueled by political propaganda and misinformation.

In response to India's attempts to influence in Bangladesh's domestic affairs, Bangladeshi Hindus have begun protesting with chants such as "Save Bangladeshi Hindus from Indian Hindus," which contradicts India's narrative of "Save Bangladeshi Hindus from Bangladeshi Muslims." These rallies show a rising worry among Bangladesh's Hindu population about external political pressures and the propagation of disinformation. For example, students from Hindu communities at Dhaka University, particularly those living in Jagannath Hall, protested India's meddling. This campaign was interpreted as a direct rejection of Indian media and political acts that have used these topics to sow discord in Bangladesh for political advantage.

Recent tensions along the India-Bangladesh border have resulted in increased attempts at illegal border crossings, reportedly by gangs attempting to force their way into Bangladesh amidst ongoing political and communal unrest. These occurrences exacerbate the complicated security difficulties that both countries face, raising humanitarian concerns and hurting diplomatic relations.

For years, there have long been reports that Indian Border Security Force (BSF) troops have killed Bangladeshi citizens at the border. The use of fatal force against unarmed Bangladeshi citizens raises severe human rights concerns and strains bilateral relations. Such acts have been denounced as brutal and unethical, underlining the need for better accountability and adherence to international conventions concerning border security and treatment of civilians.

India has long received accusations for allegedly mistreating Bangladesh and attempting to repress and dominate it in bilateral treaties and agreements. These worries derive from a history of unequal economic accords, unjust trade practices, and disadvantageous terms in water-sharing treaties, which opponents claim largely benefit Indian interests. Such domination is viewed as a method for maintaining control over Bangladesh's domestic and foreign policy, resulting in rising anti-Indian sentiment in Bangladesh.

Bangladeshi citizens must continue to advocate for transparent governance free of foreign meddling, ensuring that their voices shape the country's future. By encouraging unity and resilience, it may steer a course that respects its independence while preserving positive foreign connections. Meanwhile, as a regional power, India must uphold these norms in order to create trust and stability in South Asia, rather than abusing power on a regular basis. Overreliance on individual political friends risks alienating a larger segment of Bangladeshi society and compromising long-term bilateral relations.

The writer is a, LLM Student at the University of Rajshahi and an Apprentice Lawyer at the Bangladesh Bar Council.