It is extraordinary that the present dispensation in Bangladesh has disparaged India’s contribution to that nation’s liberation. Even the Mukti Bahini that fought the Pakistani Army before Indian forces crossed the border was not just backed by India by providing weapons, training and sanctuary, but also had Indian Army officers leading it. The then Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi, played a stellar role in stalling foreign intervention, particularly that of the US, by buying time through clever diplomacy for India’s Armed Forces to fully deploy on the Eastern Border. It was to the Indian forces that the Pakistanis surrendered, not anybody else.
Most countries would not have withdrawn after the takeover. They would have retained a hold over the newly liberated territory for ‘strategic security’ and would have probably been allowed to do so. India displayed exemplary generosity by allowing the Bangladeshis to chart their own course. That this was a somewhat ill-considered act was made clear by the assassination of Mujibur Rehman and his family not so long after. Even so, India has given total respect to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that nation. This allowed the Bangladeshi economy to prosper and, of late, the relationship was being given deeper dimensions through joint infrastructure projects.
Unfortunately, the present ‘caretaker government’ in Bangladesh has interpreted this cooperative attitude as support for ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and adopted a hostile policy vis-à-vis India. The opening up to Pakistan by allowing no visa entry to its citizens is the biggest irony and quite obviously a deliberate provocation. Going further down that road is bound to create serious difficulties for the present regime on, both, the security and economic fronts.
While the Mohammad Yunus set-up presently has the backing of the students and sections of civil society, Islamic fundamentalists exercise increasing influence in decision making. This is likely to turn Bangladesh into yet another failed state that will become a headache for its neighbours. There is a significant Hindu population that will be held hostage to try and intimidate India.
The new fictionalised narrative about the liberation struggle may feed the egos of the present generation of Bangladeshis but ignoring reality is a dangerous thing. It can lead to grandiose but unsustainable notions resulting in a threat to the very existence of that nation. It can only be hoped that soon better sense will prevail, and disaster averted.
