Bangladesh unravels: India may get hit when least expected

India now faces a diplomatic dilemma: How to address atrocities against minorities while maintaining regional stability in South Asia

- L BHAT

On December 16, 1971, India and Bangladesh celebrated a shared triumph as the Indian Army secured the liberation of East Pakistan. Yet, in 2024, a dark cloud hung over this joint legacy. While Indian and Bangladeshi armed forces marked Vijay Diwas and Victory Day together in Kolkata and Dhaka, Bangladesh itself stood on the brink of collapse following a dramatic upheaval earlier in the year.

The roots of this crisis began in August 2024, when a student-led uprising toppled the Awami League (AL) government, which had held power since 2009. Chaos swept the nation—29 AL leaders were killed, properties vandalized, and ministers arrested. Bank accounts were frozen, travel bans imposed, and the AL was effectively driven underground. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India, leaving Bangladesh in a state of anarchy.

This uprising unleashed a disturbing wave of violence, particularly against Hindus and religious minorities. Reports of targeted attacks, vandalism, and persecution surged, echoing a dark chapter of Bangladesh's past.