Even after the coup of the Sheikh Hasina government, Bangladesh is burning in the fire of violence. The whole country is worried about the possibility of the spark of violence reaching the Indian states like West Bengal, Tripura and Assam adjacent to Bangladesh and its ill effects. The central government in Delhi has apprised all the political parties of the situation through an all-party meeting and has tried to form a consensus on Bangladesh, while West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has appealed to all political parties and people from different sections of the society to maintain peace, communal harmony and restraint.
But since then the violence there is not stopping. It is alleged that Hindus are being selectively targeted, temples are being attacked. Open massacres are taking place. The situation has become such that a crowd of more than 1000 Bangladeshi Hindus is present on the India-Bangladesh border in Jalpaiguri, who want to enter the Indian border.
Comparison of the current situation of Bangladesh with 1971
The current situation of Bangladesh is being compared with the situation before the 1971 war. At that time also, one crore Bangladeshi refugees had gathered on the India-Bangladesh border in ten months. The crimes of the Pakistani army had reached their peak in East Pakistan (Bangladesh). A large number of people had entered the Indian border to escape the increasing crimes and massacres against Bengali-speaking people in Bangladesh. This situation had created a major refugee crisis for India.
What happened on March 26, 1971 and how did it start?
March 26, 1971. The telephone bell at 2 am in the headquarters of the 83rd Battalion of the Border Security Force in Tura, Meghalaya woke up the Deputy Commandant of the Border Security Force, Virendra Kumar Gaur.
The in-charge of Mankachar outpost informed him on the phone that some people from East Pakistan were seeking asylum in India. Gaur’s reply was, “I cannot allow this because BSF does not have the right to take such a decision. No such demand has come to me before. Anyway, I will convey this news to the higher authorities in the morning. But till then do not let anyone enter the Indian border.”
A few minutes later, a sentry from Baghmara outpost also gave similar news. He told that the refugees are saying that people are being killed in East Pakistan. Gaur had just hung up when similar news came from Dalu outpost. Gaur immediately sent a message in code language to his boss DIG Barua informing him about the growing crisis.
There was no response from the DIG because he was fast asleep at that time. Someone at the BSF headquarters woke up the DIG and informed him about the activities taking place on the border. Responding to Gaur’s message, he said that the refugees should be allowed to stay inside the Indian border for the night.
The soldiers of Pakistan Rifles invited the BSF officer to come to East Pakistan. Who knew that the number of these refugees would increase day by day and reach more than one crore and they would have to stay on Indian soil for about a year.
What is happening on the India-Bangladesh border at present?
More than 1000 Bangladeshi citizens gathered on the India-Bangladesh border on Wednesday. Most of them were Hindus. All these people had tried to infiltrate the Indian border. But on receiving information, BSF soldiers reached there and stopped this infiltration.
These Hindu Bangladeshis allege that their houses and temples are being burnt in Bangladesh. They want to take refuge in India. At the same time, there is a doubt about this crowd of refugees that if Bangladeshi refugees enter India, it will affect the resources.
Fear of increase in infiltration
Along with the refugees, the states bordering Bangladesh will also have to face infiltration. The infiltration already taking place from Bangladesh is a matter of concern for states like West Bengal, Tripura and Assam. Due to infiltration, the demography of West Bengal’s border districts Murshidabad, North Dinajpur, South Dinajpur, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Nadia and even Kolkata has changed and the Muslim population is increasing rapidly.
According to the 2011 census, the Muslim population in West Bengal is 27 percent and according to a figure, it has now increased to 34 percent. Now after the violence in Bangladesh, there is a possibility of a rapid increase in the Muslim population after infiltration. This will further change the demography and along with it, challenges and tensions are also likely to increase.
Fear of communal tension and violence
Bangladesh affairs expert Partha Mukhopadhyay says that there is a lot of anger among the people of West Bengal due to the violence and atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh. From television channels to social media, there are many such videos which show the kind of atrocities being committed on minorities there. Due to this, the people of Hindu community living in West Bengal are angry.
Organizations like Vishwa Hindu Parishad have demanded from the central government that the central government should take initiative to stop the attack on Hindus and intervene in this matter. The atrocities being committed on minorities are likely to spoil the communal harmony of West Bengal. It is a big challenge for Mamata Banerjee’s government of West Bengal to not let the communal harmony in the state deteriorate.
Prisoners escaped from jail, Bengal’s danger increased
Five jails have been broken during the violence in Bangladesh. At least 518 prisoners have escaped from Sherpur jail alone. Out of these, 100 were such prisoners who were sentenced to death. After the escape of prisoners from this jail located about 100 kilometers from the India-Bangladesh border, the danger for India has increased. Although BSF and Indian government have tightened security on the border, but in the present condition of India-Bangladesh border, it cannot be denied that criminals and terrorists escaping from jails will turn towards India.
Parth Mukhopadhyay says that West Bengal is most at risk from prisoners escaping from jail. If these terrorists and criminals enter India, it will be a big threat to the security of the state as well as the entire country. JMB terrorists have already been getting support from Pakistan and they have been found involved in bomb blasts in many areas including Khagragarh. Now with the help of Pakistan, these terrorists will try to create more instability in the country.
BSF in high alert mode
Amidst the ongoing crisis in Bangladesh and alleged attacks on minorities, there is a fear that these minorities will try to enter the Indian border. One such attempt was made on August 7, although BSF foiled it in some parts of North Bengal.
On the afternoon of 7 August 2024, Bangladeshi citizens were seen gathering near the international border in two sectors. In one sector, the BSF, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) persuaded the people and sent them back. Everyone had gathered at the border. The BSF has deployed additional forces on the border.
At the same time, in the second sector, a group of Bangladeshi villagers reached near the international border, after which there was a ruckus for some time. But the BSF personnel immediately took control of the situation. The BSF is currently on high alert.
The possibility of Rohingya infiltration increased
The Rohingya who fled from Myanmar were kept in the Cox’s Bazar camp by the Hasina government. Despite this, sporadic Rohingyas continued to come to India. Rohingyas have been arrested not only in West Bengal, but in various cities and metros of India. Now when a government of unstable and fundamentalist parties is going to be formed in Bangladesh. This has further increased the possibility of Rohingya infiltration into the country and this will make the situation in West Bengal even worse.
Economy and business will be affected
Violence and unstable government in Bangladesh are likely to have a major impact on trade between India and Bangladesh. A large number of imports and exports take place through the borders of Bangladesh and India, especially West Bengal. These will be affected due to violence. During the Hasina government, Bangladesh emerged as a big market for readymade garments. A large number of readymade garments used to come to the markets of Matiabruz and Mangalhat in Kolkata. This violence will also affect them. Apart from this, imports and exports of other products including fish, rice, jute will also be affected. And their direct impact will be on the economy of both the countries.
Threat from China and Pakistan increased
The Awami League government in Bangladesh believed in maintaining equal distance between India and China, but with the power of the country going into the hands of BNP and Islamic organizations, their closeness towards China and Pakistan may increase. Bangladesh used to work as a buffer nation between China and Pakistan, but the change in Bangladesh may increase the risk of direct intervention by China and Pakistan. This can give strength and help to extremist and separatist forces in the Northeast states including West Bengal. This can also increase the challenge to the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
Bangladesh lost 75,000 crore taka in 15 days
Media reports said that the violent protests in Bangladesh have caused a loss of 75,000 crore taka in the last 15 days. This amount is equal to 54 thousand crore Indian rupees.
29 leaders of Hasina’s party and allies killed
Violent incidents have been taking place in Bangladesh since July and more than 300 people have been killed there. In the ongoing violence in many places including the capital Dhaka, about 29 leaders associated with Hasina’s party Awami League and her allies were killed on Tuesday. These include 20 leaders of Awami League.
190 employees of Indian Embassy returned from Bangladesh
There is also news that 190 employees of the Indian Embassy have returned from Bangladesh. According to reports, 20 to 30 staff are still present in Dhaka. The Indian Embassy has appealed to the interim government of Bangladesh to provide security.
Suvendu’s statement on the uproar in Bangladesh
The violence has also increased India’s concern. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari has given a big statement. Suvendu said that one crore Hindu refugees are going to come to Bengal in a few days, so you should be ready.
Suvendu said during the monsoon session of the Bengal Assembly that Hindus are being massacred in Bangladesh. Municipal Councilor Hardhan Nayak was murdered in Rangpur. 13 policemen were killed in Sirajganj police station, out of which nine are Hindus. At the same time, houses of Hindus were burnt in Noakhali.
Our country will come forward and look into these matters – Suvendu Adhikari
I would say to Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the Governor that they should immediately talk to the Government of India regarding this matter. Referring to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Suvendu said that it is clear in the CAA that if someone has to leave the country due to religious persecution, then our country will come forward and look into these matters. I am telling you that if this situation is not controlled within three days, then Bangladesh is going into the hands of Jamaat and fundamentalists.
CM Mamata appeals to the people of Bengal for peace
On the news of Sheikh Hasina resigning from the post of Prime Minister of Bangladesh and forming an interim government there, Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that I appeal to the people of Bengal to maintain peace. Do not pay attention to any kind of rumors. He said that this is a matter between the two countries, we will support whatever decision the central government takes. He said that the Government of India will decide on how to approach this issue and the leaders of all political parties are appealed to refrain from making provocative comments that can disrupt peace in Bengal or the country.
‘Our country is safe under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi’
Mamata said that some BJP leaders have already commented on this. This should not be done. BJP leader Locket Chatterjee said that many people have died in the protests going on in Bangladesh for the last few days. We are hearing from the media that Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina has come to India because she also believes that our country is safe under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi. He said that Bengal shares cultural and linguistic ties with Bangladesh. We hope that normalcy returns as soon as possible. If needed, our PM will definitely intervene in this matter.
