Some sanity has been restored with the Bangladesh High Court refusing to ban ISKCON following the interim government’s allegations that it is a ‘radical fundamentalist organisation’. However, Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das remains in custody for having allegedly triggered unrest that led to the death of a lawyer. If the stance adopted by the High Court is any indication, Das will get his impartial day in court when the time comes.
Even as the atrocities being committed against Hindus in Bangladesh are beginning to attract global attention, surprise has been expressed within India at the ‘lack of action’ by the Modi Government. A statement was issued in this regard on Thursday following a meeting between PM Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressing concern to Bangladesh about the attacks on Hindus and their temples, which have not abated. It is a good thing that all political parties, including the Congress and TMC, have declared their support to whatever steps the government may take in this regard.
The problem, of course, is that even though India has several ways to apply pressure on Bangladesh, these would be effective only in the long run. It would also involve disruption of many years of strategic planning vis a vis that nation. However it may seem at the present, India still retains considerable goodwill within Bangladesh society. Any harsh measure could lead to a loss of that potential support.
Till now, the policy has been to give enough time to the Bangladesh establishment to bring matters under control. If the present regime does have animosity against India for whatever reason, there are other countries that can also apply pressure on keeping Hindus safe. A possible reason for the arrogance being displayed by the Yunus interim government could be the hidden support of the US intelligence services. How far this will continue under President Trump is a matter of conjecture. As such, Bangladesh has about two months to make the necessary policy corrections.
Having come to power on the back of a populist movement allegedly instigated by the fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami that has long regretted the liberation of Bangladesh, Mohammed Yunus’s hands are tied. His coterie is also miffed at the continued sanctuary India has given to former PM Sheikh Hasina. It is even possible that India’s policy in the matter is being conducted in consultation with her. Unfortunately, the Hindus of Bangladesh have become hostages in the process.
