Former Indian envoy to Bangladesh, Ambassador Pankaj Saran has condemned the attack on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh.
Attack On Hindu Minorities Is Unacceptable
“ This is unacceptable. At the end of the day, they are first Bangladeshis and then Hindus. They are the most defenceless,” said Ambassador Saran
He made this point in a recent interview with Nitin A. Gokhale, Editor-in-Chief of Strat News Global.
“You cannot take out your anger against Sheikh Hasina or India by burning, killing and torturing Hindus. We are raising this issue,’’ he said
The seasoned diplomat further said, “Historically, every time, there is a crisis in Bangladesh, they are the first victims.”
Hindu Minorities Are The Most Vulnerable
Ambassador Saran said that the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh are the most vulnerable.
“They are dispossessed. They are the target of right-wing – whether the right wing belongs to the Awami League, Jamaat or other Islamic parties.”
In the same breath, he expressed the hope that Bangladesh will become more equal and inclusive.
Indian Government Keeping A Close Watch
Pankaj who has also been India’s Deputy National Security Adviser, said that the Indian government is undoubtedly looking at the situation very closely and paying maximum attention.
He prescribed that India give space to all stakeholders and forces in Bangladesh to engage with one another and take one step at a time.
He said, “ Every constituency- the students, the established political party, the civil society, the business, the security establishment, will see this crisis in a different way.’’
The former Indian envoy noted that the the Jamaat is clearly back into decision-making.
Let The Post Hasina Days Play Out
“It is still early days.’’
He added that these different forces need time talk to each other
They also need space to take one step at a time.
He observed, “My own personal view is that for the immediate, we just let the post Hasina days play out.’’
Restoration Of Law And Order
Bangladesh’s priority would be to manage the crisis, restore law and order, pick up the pieces and then in the long term rebuild institutions.
“ The Bangladesh of 2024 is very different from the Bangladesh of 1991 or 1975. They are more open to the world.’’
The Sheikh Hasina Era Has Ended
The former Indian envoy said, “The Sheikh Hasina era has ended. See, Hasina is not immortal. The post Hasina era has come. ‘’
He said, “ This era could have come today, yesterday and tomorrow but life goes on.’’
The former Deputy NSA said that people in Bangladesh are looking for a new future and a new political arrangement.
Ambassador Saran said that Bangladesh has had a very complex history of violence, turbulence and transfer of power.
He hoped that the transfer of power this time would be done with less violence and bloodshed than what the world witnessed in the 70s, 80s and 90s.
Role Of The Army
Ambassador Saran, said, “ The Army is back in control. The Army will play the role of a stabilizing force.’’
He added that Muhammed Yunus, as the head of the interim government, will rely heavily on the Army.
Pankaj said, “ The problem will arise when different sections of society including the political class, start making demands on him.’’
On the absence of a dominant political presence in Bangladesh, he said, “ The two families- the Zia family and the Mujib family, seem to have reached a dead end. ‘’
He added, “We have reached a cusp where there is no immediate succession. Both leaders are no longer on the political scene.’’
Jamaat Much More in The Front Now
He said, “Today, the tables have turned and the Jamaat clearly is much more in the front compared to BNP. ‘’
Commenting on the export of instability to India’s northeast, Saran said that regimes in Bangladesh pursued very sophisticated and succeeded in actually destabilizing the northeast and West Bengal.
He cautioned, “We have to take all this in account and be prepared.’’
Indian Investments In Bangladesh
On the fate of Indian investments in Bangladesh, he said that the interim government will face this challenge.
“Right now, we are at the peak of anti-Indian sentiment,’’ he remarked
Ambassador Saran said, “Indian investments were made across sectors and not for Sheikh Hasina or for the Awami League.
He asserted that India is not going anywhere.
“I don’t think India is going to rush in. During the Hasina period, we offered the strategic depth of the Indian economy for the benefit of Bangladesh.’’
Muhammad Yunus’ Leadership
He hoped that Muhammad Yunus’ leadership will give Bangladesh easier access to World Bank and IMF loans and assistance.
“Mohammed Yunus’ leadership can contribute to the prosperity and stability of Bangladesh, it is good.”
On interference by extra regional powers, he said, “We have to recognise that regional and global powers will engage with Bangladesh and the Bangladeshis likewise will. ‘’
Giving A Safe Sanctuary Is Standard State Practice
On criticism about the former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina stay in India, Ambassador Saran said that this is a standard State practice.
“This is the minimum we could have done to give her a safe sanctuary’’ he said.
