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Uncertainty in Bangladesh - The Hindu
Uncertainty in Bangladesh
There seems little chance of any understanding between Bangladesh’s two main political forces emerging ahead of the scheduled January 5 elections. The ruling Awami League is locked in a fierce confrontation with the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on the streets, with ugly clashes erupting in Dhaka and elsewhere. The BNP’s call for an indefinite blockade of roads, railways and waterways from January 1 is only likely to trigger more street violence. At the heart of the confrontation is the election itself. The BNP, along with its allies, is boycotting the election because it wants a neutral caretaker government to oversee the process. Doing away with the constitutional provision for a transitional caretaker was among the earliest of the changes that the Awami League government brought in, with a Supreme Court ruling providing the basis for that move. What Prime Minister Hasina offered instead was a national government, which too was rejected by the BNP. Its leader Khaleda Zia is virtually under house arrest. Another political figure, the former military ruler H.M. Ershad, who heads the Jatiyo Party, the second largest in the ruling coalition, was taken to a military hospital by police commandos after he announced that he too was boycotting the polls. As a result, the Awami League is the only big party that remains in the elections, the Jamat-i-Islami having been banned in 2013. The ruling party is certain to win at least half the 300 seats that are going uncontested. But in such a moth-eaten election, a victory will have nowhere near the kind of legitimacy that it enjoyed when it won in 2008.
The crisis poses a serious challenge for India’s policy on Bangladesh. It is no secret that New Delhi’s relations with Dhaka have been best with the Awami League in power. From the point of view of India’s foreign policy, and more particularly national security objectives, ties have never been better than in the last five years. Prime Minister Hasina cracked down on Islamist extremism, and on safe havens for militants from the northeastern States. Yet, this very equation has set off an incredible amount of anti-India feeling within Bangladesh, especially as New Delhi was seen as not reciprocating Dhaka’s “concessions” in equal measure — the non-implementation of the Teesta Accord is one sore point. India could have helped at least by counselling Prime Minister Hasina to take less reckless positions against her opponents, but it is too late for that now. Post-election, Bangladesh appears headed for more volatility, and New Delhi’s relations with a government that comes to power through a problematic process will only get more complicated.
Keywords: Bangladesh politics, Bangladesh elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Awami League,
View comments(15)Post Comment
COMMENTS(15)RECOMMENDEDPOST A COMMENT
India should emphasize to increase man to man connectivity of Bangladesh-India and respect our independent, culture, religion. I believe then both countries people will like each other and there will be trust. Without trust no body will win. Also we people here in Dhaka believe we are open to get India as our very good friend but when we found no Bangla TV is allowed to transmit in Indian Bangla region, frustration start and we think there is only relation of giving!!
from: Reza Z. Islam
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 16:38 IST
India should respect the voice of other people. Just 6 months Before,
most of general/ civil peoples like India. Now may 20-30%. because of
naked support of Indain Govt to Bakshal/Hasina.
from: M Ahmed
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 16:12 IST
India is the biggest neighbour country of Bangladesh. Its also friends
Bangladesh. But we seems that India's relation with a party. Its
relation definitely wrong. India's should relation with Bangladesh but
not a particular party. Its should be India to help of Bangladesh for a
free, fair, inclusive election.
from: Sabuj Talukder
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 15:54 IST
India's one eyed foreign policy is solely responsible for these recent
deadly events in Bangladesh. India should realize that this will not
good in the long run as anti Indian sentiment is growing in general
Bangladeshi's mind at a very high pace which is very dangerous for India
in the long run. India should respect the Bangladeshi people's opinion
and should take a neutral stance regarding Bangladesh politics. We
Bangladeshis want to see India as a friendly neighbor of our nation ;
not a friendly neighbor of Bangladesh Awami League.
from: Obaidur Rahman
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 15:51 IST
Dear fellow Indian brothers and sisters please ask your Govt. why they
are interfering very nakedly in our internal matters? We the people of
Bangladesh want harmony and friendly relationship with our every
neighbor but if things continue like that then you will see your worst
neighbor in Bangladesh than Pakistan.
from: Mamun
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 15:13 IST
Haseena Wajed is enjoying her father`s political legacy,kahlida zia is celebrating her husband`s. both of them showed their inability to run Bangladesh, and both of them have hands behind the prevailing poverty,destructive economic condition,and continuous political stalemate in the country. both of them have billions of dollars while more than half of the population of Bangladesh are suffering from starvation. people of Bangladesh are being badly exploited by these two women of Bangladesh
from: jafri
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 15:05 IST
Why India decided to favor Awamileague instead of Bangladesh? India's
blind support to BAL make Bangladesh people to grow more anti-Indian
sentiment. India should support people of Bangladesh, should support a
fair election here. That will help India as well to build sustainable
win-win situation.
from: Nazmul
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:53 IST
I think india is sole responsible for unrest in Bangladesh. Why your relation with only Awami league ?.I think india's policy is not good to make a super power. If india wants to be a superpower firstly needs to make a friendly relation with neighbor country people not party. India has to take some initiative that stimulus the neighbor people and make a trust to india. In Bangladesh the present Awami league Govt has at best 1% popularity. 99% people at present against Awami league. So why India with Awami League ?. I request india to help free and fair election with all party participation.The people of Bangladesh will trust you. And make a relation that will sustain for a long. Remember You are our big neighbor, we have a lot of expectation to you at the same you to me. So build relation with the people of Bangladesh not Awami League.
from: azizur
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:26 IST
Yes,it's true India has good relation with Awamileague since
Bangladesh was born in 1971.For last 5 years they have sincerely
backed current government of Bangladesh.And India can see the benefit
- no big terrorist attack that was planned from and was conducted by
Bangladeshi militant.
On the other hand if BNP comes to power hundred of thousands Hindus
would be driven away from Bangladesh and only place they can get
shelter is in India.So it would be another headache for India.We saw
and know what happened when Jamat backed BNP came to power on
2001.How minority people suffered and killed by Jamat and BNP cadre.
BNP has to understand why no minorities group in Bangladesh (with rare
exceptions) don't support them.Because their association with radical
Islamist party Jamat.
BNP has to change their party manifesto to become secular party like
congress in India.Otherwise India and other secular countries should
not support them.
from: Rana
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:14 IST
It was a very big mistake by ruling Congress Government to blindly
support Mrs. Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh who acted
freely giving little respect either to her own party stalwarts, to the
opposition demand nor to civil society's objection not to amend
constitution by removing 'Caretaker Government' provision which was
added to the constitution by BNP Government in 1996 on Sheikh Hasina's
demand. Now she has killed her own child consolidating all state
powers in her hands. Her yes men have guided her to a thorny path
which has already inflicted bleeding wounds to every spectrum of
society. General Election of 5th January, 2014, just after 4 days for
which Sheikh Hasina was telling to 'ensure people's voting right' has
already seen 154 MPs out elected unopposed out of 300 meaning more
than half of the population of the country had no chance of voting.
US, EU, Common Wealth already refused to send any election observer
making it farcical.
from: G Ahmed
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:11 IST
Someone wrote the following when India Foreign Sec. visited BD:
''In the long run, India's current foreign policy for BD is most
harmful for India itself:
Historically Bangladeshis have ultimately pulled down any ruler we
didn't like. In some cases it took 23 years (Pakistanis), in some cases
it took 2 years (military-backed CTG). But whether through war or more
subtle pressure, 'Bangladeshis are & democratic' is an
established fact(I admit the 'democracy' sometimes wavers).
By openly backing a single party --as opposed to building diplomatic
relationships with Bangladesh as a 'country' irrespective of which
party rules us-- India risks losing Bangladeshi cooperation if/when
that party loses the people's support. Last night's naked interference
in our domestic politics shows incredible short sightedness on their
part. I may be scared of Narendra Modi but I have no right to tell
Indians how to vote in their next election. Sujata Singh should learn
from that.
from: Amira Hoque
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:04 IST
it is the internal matter and india should try to make a euphony with elected government rather than giving suggestion because its their internal matter and any country will not accept any intrusion.
from: anoop mishra
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 13:44 IST
India must cover his ultimate profit Only Awamileage the ruling party
shouldn't be India's friend India should count the demand and aspiration
of the mass people, now with awamileage India is hated in Bangladesh.
from: Jahangir
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 13:16 IST
Awami league's reckless behavior to stay in power by force, the prime reason behind uncertainty that Bangladesh faces now, is made possible by India's one eyed support for Awami league over the country itself. Bangladeshi people believe from the bottom of their hearts that if India stays fair here and let Bangladesh have a free and fair election , current problem would be solved right away.
Instead of backing Awami league if India focuses on building strong bond with a government that is democratically elected, it would definitely bring better result for both India and Bangladesh down the line
from: jessy
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 12:17 IST
India must support a free and fair
election in bangladesh. A democratic
bangladesh is better for India in long
run than a repressive Awami regime
from: Shumon
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 07:25 IST
Uncertainty in Bangladesh
There seems little chance of any understanding between Bangladesh’s two main political forces emerging ahead of the scheduled January 5 elections. The ruling Awami League is locked in a fierce confrontation with the Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party on the streets, with ugly clashes erupting in Dhaka and elsewhere. The BNP’s call for an indefinite blockade of roads, railways and waterways from January 1 is only likely to trigger more street violence. At the heart of the confrontation is the election itself. The BNP, along with its allies, is boycotting the election because it wants a neutral caretaker government to oversee the process. Doing away with the constitutional provision for a transitional caretaker was among the earliest of the changes that the Awami League government brought in, with a Supreme Court ruling providing the basis for that move. What Prime Minister Hasina offered instead was a national government, which too was rejected by the BNP. Its leader Khaleda Zia is virtually under house arrest. Another political figure, the former military ruler H.M. Ershad, who heads the Jatiyo Party, the second largest in the ruling coalition, was taken to a military hospital by police commandos after he announced that he too was boycotting the polls. As a result, the Awami League is the only big party that remains in the elections, the Jamat-i-Islami having been banned in 2013. The ruling party is certain to win at least half the 300 seats that are going uncontested. But in such a moth-eaten election, a victory will have nowhere near the kind of legitimacy that it enjoyed when it won in 2008.
The crisis poses a serious challenge for India’s policy on Bangladesh. It is no secret that New Delhi’s relations with Dhaka have been best with the Awami League in power. From the point of view of India’s foreign policy, and more particularly national security objectives, ties have never been better than in the last five years. Prime Minister Hasina cracked down on Islamist extremism, and on safe havens for militants from the northeastern States. Yet, this very equation has set off an incredible amount of anti-India feeling within Bangladesh, especially as New Delhi was seen as not reciprocating Dhaka’s “concessions” in equal measure — the non-implementation of the Teesta Accord is one sore point. India could have helped at least by counselling Prime Minister Hasina to take less reckless positions against her opponents, but it is too late for that now. Post-election, Bangladesh appears headed for more volatility, and New Delhi’s relations with a government that comes to power through a problematic process will only get more complicated.
Keywords: Bangladesh politics, Bangladesh elections, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Awami League,
View comments(15)Post Comment
COMMENTS(15)RECOMMENDEDPOST A COMMENT
India should emphasize to increase man to man connectivity of Bangladesh-India and respect our independent, culture, religion. I believe then both countries people will like each other and there will be trust. Without trust no body will win. Also we people here in Dhaka believe we are open to get India as our very good friend but when we found no Bangla TV is allowed to transmit in Indian Bangla region, frustration start and we think there is only relation of giving!!
from: Reza Z. Islam
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 16:38 IST
India should respect the voice of other people. Just 6 months Before,
most of general/ civil peoples like India. Now may 20-30%. because of
naked support of Indain Govt to Bakshal/Hasina.
from: M Ahmed
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 16:12 IST
India is the biggest neighbour country of Bangladesh. Its also friends
Bangladesh. But we seems that India's relation with a party. Its
relation definitely wrong. India's should relation with Bangladesh but
not a particular party. Its should be India to help of Bangladesh for a
free, fair, inclusive election.
from: Sabuj Talukder
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 15:54 IST
India's one eyed foreign policy is solely responsible for these recent
deadly events in Bangladesh. India should realize that this will not
good in the long run as anti Indian sentiment is growing in general
Bangladeshi's mind at a very high pace which is very dangerous for India
in the long run. India should respect the Bangladeshi people's opinion
and should take a neutral stance regarding Bangladesh politics. We
Bangladeshis want to see India as a friendly neighbor of our nation ;
not a friendly neighbor of Bangladesh Awami League.
from: Obaidur Rahman
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 15:51 IST
Dear fellow Indian brothers and sisters please ask your Govt. why they
are interfering very nakedly in our internal matters? We the people of
Bangladesh want harmony and friendly relationship with our every
neighbor but if things continue like that then you will see your worst
neighbor in Bangladesh than Pakistan.
from: Mamun
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 15:13 IST
Haseena Wajed is enjoying her father`s political legacy,kahlida zia is celebrating her husband`s. both of them showed their inability to run Bangladesh, and both of them have hands behind the prevailing poverty,destructive economic condition,and continuous political stalemate in the country. both of them have billions of dollars while more than half of the population of Bangladesh are suffering from starvation. people of Bangladesh are being badly exploited by these two women of Bangladesh
from: jafri
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 15:05 IST
Why India decided to favor Awamileague instead of Bangladesh? India's
blind support to BAL make Bangladesh people to grow more anti-Indian
sentiment. India should support people of Bangladesh, should support a
fair election here. That will help India as well to build sustainable
win-win situation.
from: Nazmul
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:53 IST
I think india is sole responsible for unrest in Bangladesh. Why your relation with only Awami league ?.I think india's policy is not good to make a super power. If india wants to be a superpower firstly needs to make a friendly relation with neighbor country people not party. India has to take some initiative that stimulus the neighbor people and make a trust to india. In Bangladesh the present Awami league Govt has at best 1% popularity. 99% people at present against Awami league. So why India with Awami League ?. I request india to help free and fair election with all party participation.The people of Bangladesh will trust you. And make a relation that will sustain for a long. Remember You are our big neighbor, we have a lot of expectation to you at the same you to me. So build relation with the people of Bangladesh not Awami League.
from: azizur
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:26 IST
Yes,it's true India has good relation with Awamileague since
Bangladesh was born in 1971.For last 5 years they have sincerely
backed current government of Bangladesh.And India can see the benefit
- no big terrorist attack that was planned from and was conducted by
Bangladeshi militant.
On the other hand if BNP comes to power hundred of thousands Hindus
would be driven away from Bangladesh and only place they can get
shelter is in India.So it would be another headache for India.We saw
and know what happened when Jamat backed BNP came to power on
2001.How minority people suffered and killed by Jamat and BNP cadre.
BNP has to understand why no minorities group in Bangladesh (with rare
exceptions) don't support them.Because their association with radical
Islamist party Jamat.
BNP has to change their party manifesto to become secular party like
congress in India.Otherwise India and other secular countries should
not support them.
from: Rana
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:14 IST
It was a very big mistake by ruling Congress Government to blindly
support Mrs. Sheikh Hasina, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh who acted
freely giving little respect either to her own party stalwarts, to the
opposition demand nor to civil society's objection not to amend
constitution by removing 'Caretaker Government' provision which was
added to the constitution by BNP Government in 1996 on Sheikh Hasina's
demand. Now she has killed her own child consolidating all state
powers in her hands. Her yes men have guided her to a thorny path
which has already inflicted bleeding wounds to every spectrum of
society. General Election of 5th January, 2014, just after 4 days for
which Sheikh Hasina was telling to 'ensure people's voting right' has
already seen 154 MPs out elected unopposed out of 300 meaning more
than half of the population of the country had no chance of voting.
US, EU, Common Wealth already refused to send any election observer
making it farcical.
from: G Ahmed
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:11 IST
Someone wrote the following when India Foreign Sec. visited BD:
''In the long run, India's current foreign policy for BD is most
harmful for India itself:
Historically Bangladeshis have ultimately pulled down any ruler we
didn't like. In some cases it took 23 years (Pakistanis), in some cases
it took 2 years (military-backed CTG). But whether through war or more
subtle pressure, 'Bangladeshis are & democratic' is an
established fact(I admit the 'democracy' sometimes wavers).
By openly backing a single party --as opposed to building diplomatic
relationships with Bangladesh as a 'country' irrespective of which
party rules us-- India risks losing Bangladeshi cooperation if/when
that party loses the people's support. Last night's naked interference
in our domestic politics shows incredible short sightedness on their
part. I may be scared of Narendra Modi but I have no right to tell
Indians how to vote in their next election. Sujata Singh should learn
from that.
from: Amira Hoque
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 14:04 IST
it is the internal matter and india should try to make a euphony with elected government rather than giving suggestion because its their internal matter and any country will not accept any intrusion.
from: anoop mishra
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 13:44 IST
India must cover his ultimate profit Only Awamileage the ruling party
shouldn't be India's friend India should count the demand and aspiration
of the mass people, now with awamileage India is hated in Bangladesh.
from: Jahangir
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 13:16 IST
Awami league's reckless behavior to stay in power by force, the prime reason behind uncertainty that Bangladesh faces now, is made possible by India's one eyed support for Awami league over the country itself. Bangladeshi people believe from the bottom of their hearts that if India stays fair here and let Bangladesh have a free and fair election , current problem would be solved right away.
Instead of backing Awami league if India focuses on building strong bond with a government that is democratically elected, it would definitely bring better result for both India and Bangladesh down the line
from: jessy
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 12:17 IST
India must support a free and fair
election in bangladesh. A democratic
bangladesh is better for India in long
run than a repressive Awami regime
from: Shumon
Posted on: Jan 1, 2014 at 07:25 IST
