By Ashish Singh
The Director of National Intelligence of the USA, Tulsi Gabbard, made a statement about the condition of minorities in Bangladesh. In this interview, I spoke with Bangladeshi-Swedish writer Anisur Rahman about it, and about the onground situation.
What is the statement given by Tulsi Gabbard on Bangladesh?
Anisur Rahman: In an exclusive interview with NDTV dated the 17th of March 2025, Tulsi Gabbard said the “longtime unfortunate persecution, killing, and abuse of religious minorities like Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and others has been a major area of concern” for the Donald Trump administration.
In her remarks, Gabbard said, “The threat of Islamist terrorists and the global effort of different terror groups are rooted in the same ideology and objective – which is to rule or govern with an Islamist Caliphate. This obviously affects people of any other religion, other than the one that they find acceptable, and they chose to carry this out with terror and very violent ways and means.”
- How do you assess her statement?
Anisur Rahman: To have an idea about the true picture about the Bangladesh situation, one must not wait for a reference from the Gabberd statement. BBC made a documentary last year exposing the minority situation. In addition to it, there are thousands of examples that present a picture which is worse than that in a war-torned country: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct5tg8
I gave such an indication in my article published the Daily Finland in September 2024:
A detailed documentary featuring human rights violations and rise of Islamic extremism in Bangladesh was presented at a side event during the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on the 26th of March 2025:
We can even find such indications from the words and statement from diverse high profiles of the Bangladesh side.
Lastly, Jatiyo Party chairman GM Quader in an article published in Dhaka Tribune and Khoborer Kagoj has made important observations on the issue.
Bangladesh authorities have no way to hide the truth. You may compare the state of Dhaka with that in Kabul. The authority is continuously undermining the spirit of modern secular progressive and lineral idealogy that exist in country’s constitution. Extremists are openly threatening all institutions inluding the Army. Judiciary, administration and media are almost dysfunctional. Media has turned to be the puppet of mob gangs when the authorties collaborate with both digital terrorists and criminals in place to vandalise various establishments, for instance museums and monuments.
A number of Islamist extremist groups were part of Muhammad Yunus’ meticulous design to topple the Sheikh Hasina government. Even elements in the Yunus administration including his press secretary branded ’as a third class propagandist’ might have had links with banned terrorist organisations. Muhammad Yunus is maintaining a honeymoon relation with the country’s nursery for extremism called Jamaat-e-Islami and its chief Shafiqur Rahman.
- Why is it stirring a controversy in Bangladesh?
Anisur Rahman: It is creating controversy in Bangladesh since the authority is trying to hide the truth. The Muhammad Yunus-led unconstitutional interim government in Bangladesh has expressed “deep concern” over the remarks of Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intelligence for the US, on the situation in Bangladesh. Bangladesh authorities stated, “This statement is both misleading and damaging to the image and reputation of Bangladesh, a nation whose traditional practice of Islam has been famously inclusive and peaceful and that has made remarkable strides in its fight against extremism and terrorism.” Contrary to this people are suffering. Women are unprotected. Rape and sexual harassment has crossed the limit of all records. Country is now total unsafe. The authority is in need of hiding the truth. You may simply point at the background of powerful profiles in the Yunus administration, notably advisors Mahfuj Alam, Arif Ahmed Sajib Bhuyan and AFM Khalid Hossain, Mostofa Sarwar Farook having either/or link with Hijbut Tahrir, Chhatra Shibir or Hefajot-e-Islam. What does it indicate? It requires international investigation.
- What is the way out for Bangladesh amid the ongoing activities and the controversies erupting from global leaders?
Anisur Rahman: Muhammad Yunus must quit. By now it has been clear to all that he has introduced an ultrafascist regime and is busy hindering much wanted general elections with the excuse of reform. It is a high time for the country to have a national government under the president for a period of three months for holding a national election.
- Do you think such statements’ have any effect on Bangladesh’s interim government?
Anisur Rahman: Yes, it has an effect on the regime. One outcome is that they delivered an immediate reaction it. On the other hand, if they stick to fulfilling their own hidden ageda, they will find a strategy to covince global leaders in their favour. They might have compromised with imperial forces by sacrificing our national interest. This is a usual character of an ultrafascist regime. The Yunus-administration is no exception.
(Ashish Singh is a social and political scientist.)
