NEEDLESS to say, the political upheaval in Bangladesh is the revival of Muslim nationalism galvanised by the historical traditional forces that were behind the partition of the subcontinent in 1947. Both Bangladeshi and Pakistani nations have suffered the agony of separation of East Pakistan. Yet historically, Indira Gandhi’s government role was deeply involved in the secession of East Pakistan in 1971. The genesis of current political metamorphosis in Bangladesh is caused by the internal and external factors: Internally, an autocratic rule of Sheikh Hasina Wajid while externally, Indian Premier Narendra Modi’s fascist and discriminatory anti-Muslim policies in India have glaringly paved the way for this transformation, thereby giving birth to new strategic and geopolitical landscape in the region.
Apparently with its creation in 1971, BD adopted an ideology-the pivot of four pillars: nationalism, democracy, socialism and secularism. But intrinsically, Islamic force has never faded from its national political thinking. With Mujib’s assassination and the overthrow of his government by a military coup d’état in August 1975, his cosmetic ideology of neo-nationalism was buried. During the last 53 years, BD has undergone the tumultuous undercurrents of two military rules of Gen Zia-ur-Rehman and Gen Husain Ershad while it had to have two civilian rules of Khaleda Zia and Hasina Wajid respectively. Moreover, Bangladesh has experienced 29 actual or attempted coups during its half century history.
Still, our memories are not faded to remember the Mujib-Indira nexus regarding the separation of East Pakistan from the West Pakistan. Indira Gandhi’s government role in the separation of East Pakistan was highly intervening. In the aftermath of the 1965 war, Gandhi adopted a notorious devious strategy via exploiting feelings of deprivation among East Pakistani masses; thereby creating a perplexing situation for refugees while providing arms to the rebels (Mukti Bahini); and, crucially invading East Pakistan by transgressing the international border.
Since BJP came to power in India in 2014, party leaders have relied on the historic fears of imagined Muslim population growth to help them win successive elections at the state and national level and pass legislation such as the Citizenship Amendment Act, which discriminates against Muslims. Meanwhile, the BJP leaders have unwarrantedly accused Muslim men of forcibly converting Hindu women to Islam through “love jihad,” Whereas, Islamophobia has always been the core of ideology of Hindu nationalist factions in India. Needless to say, the rise of Hindu nationalism (termed “Hindutva”) in India has revived the religious politics of the 1940s.
By and large, Bangladesh (BD) is a Muslim majority country in South Asia, embracing Islam a predominant force in its political, social and cultural landscapes. This in an undeniable reality that today’s Bangladesh (yesterday’s East Pakistan) has had an organic pivot with the ideology of Muslim freedom waged through the platform of ALL India Muslim League (AIML). Nevertheless, Hasina Wajid’s polarized political legacy was antithetical to the very fundamentals of Bengali Muslim nationalists’ ideology—the ideological mentors of the foundation of All India Muslim League in 1906 in Dhaka. The current political resurgence —towards the ideology of freedom movement—ushers political optimism in Bangladesh.
On August 8, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus has been sworn in as Bangladesh’s interim leader, vowing to “uphold, support and protect the constitution “. The students in Bangladesh cherish fervent hope that Prof Yunus will bring democracy back to Bangladesh after years of autocratic rule. The Banker Yunus told reporters that Bangladesh has got a second independence as he called for the restoration of law and order in the nation of 170 million people.
With Hasina’s departure, a growing strategic view holds that ‘’India’s influence in this region would further shrunk,’’ and China’s clout will orchestrate an exclusive geopolitical space for itself. Undeniably, India’s hegemonic agenda has paralysed the SAARC. Since 2005, China has been given an observer status in the SAARC, with the help of Bangladesh and Pakistan, the SAARC role can be uplifted. Bangladesh officially joined China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) during President Xi Jinping’s visit to Dhaka in October 2016.
Notably, since the very secession of East Pakistan in 1971, the relationship between Pakistan and Bangladesh (two limbs of independence struggle in the subcontinent) is shaped by a complex tapestry —marked by political dynamics, regional influences and significant historical events. For the past 53 years, this relationship has remained lost in the labyrinth of mistrust and misunderstanding.
An American-Indian journalist, Sharmila Bose in her book, dead reckoning has clearly and bluntly refuted the Mujib –Indira levelled biased allegations about Pakistan army during the 1971 war. Preponderance of the historical evidence profoundly suggests that in order to prevent its dented image vis-a-vis the 1965 war, It has been the prime objective of the Indian Government‘s propaganda machinery to maliciously stain the image of Pakistan military—presently, one of the top ten professional and powerful militaries in the world. Moreover, Pakistan army has played a leading role in UN’s peacekeeping and humanitarian missions throughout the world.
It is noteworthy that Bangladeshi nation is now imbibed with a new spirit of revisionist nationalism instead of Mujib-indoctrinated secessionist nationalism. Currently, in the post Hasina Wajid phase, the bilateral relations between Dhaka and Islamabad are considered to be cordial, reflecting a gradual maturity over the looming past regrets. China’s factor is taking a deep and profound impact on evolving the vibrant vibes of bilateralism between Dhaka and Islamabad. Today, Bangladesh’s foreign policy needs pragmatic revisionism. There is an absolute need to form a regional quartet between China-Afghanistan-Bangladesh-Pakistan to promote regional peace and prosperity.
Amidst the emerging geopolitical and geostrategic tapestry in the region, both Islamabad and Dhaka can act as close partners. In a current telephone conversation between the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus and Premier Shehbaz Sharif, the two leaders agreed that greater regional cooperation could play a vital role in uplifting the lives of South Asian people. “While congratulating him on his new role, lauded his contribution towards socio-economic development of his country and expressed my heartfelt sympathies over the devastating recent floods in Bangladesh,” the PM wrote on the X platform. Bangladeshi nationals can now travel to Pakistan without paying any visa fee.
—The writer, an independent ‘IR’ researcher-cum-international law analyst based in Pakistan, is member of European Consortium for Political Research Standing Group on IR, Critical Peace & Conflict Studies, also a member of Washington Foreign Law Society and European Society of International Law. He deals with the strategic and nuclear issues.
