The unrest that began in Bangladesh last year has now escalated into widespread violence. After the killing of student leader Usman Hadi, who was instrumental in the movement that led to the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s government, the country has once again witnessed violence, arson, and instability. Reports indicate targeted attacks on minority Hindus along with a sharp rise in anti-India sentiment.
In one particularly brutal incident, a Hindu laborer, Deep Chandra Das, was beaten to death by a mob, his body hung from a tree and set on fire. The mob allegedly celebrated openly in front of police and army personnel. In another act of violence, the house of a BNP leader was set ablaze, leading to the tragic death of a seven-year-old girl who was burned alive. Protesters also issued an ultimatum to the government led by Muhammad Yunus, demanding the immediate arrest of Usman Hadi’s killers and threatening to overthrow the administration if their demands were not met.
Since Sheikh Hasina was removed from office last August, members of the Hindu community have reportedly faced continuous attacks, with claims that Hindu women are now being pressured to wear hijabs. Anti-India extremist groups are said to have gained significant influence. With national elections scheduled in two months, in February, the renewed violence raises concerns about disruptions to the electoral process. Muhammad Yunus, serving as the chief advisor to the interim government, along with leaders linked to him, has been accused of repeatedly stoking anti-India sentiment. Anti-India posters and slogans were also reportedly displayed during Usman Hadi’s funeral.
Usman Hadi was a leader of a radical Maulana group. Due to his extremist jihadist ideology, he had recently made statements about occupying India’s northeastern states. Those who killed him knew that the blame for the attack would fall on India, and that is exactly what happened. The extremist forces have blamed India for Usman Hadi’s murder, creating an atmosphere that ensures anti-India sentiment will be the biggest issue in the upcoming Bangladesh elections. The situation suggests that Muhammad Yunus, considered a supporter of the US, has tasted the power of office and does not want to relinquish it. They want to postpone the elections somehow. They have become puppets in the hands of the extremists. They remained indifferent even when the extremists started targeting the Indian embassy and visa centers. It’s surprising, considering that India was the one that liberated Bangladesh in the 1971 war. On December 16th, India celebrated Victory Day because on that day in 1971, 90,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered to India. Yet, Bangladesh, forgetting India’s help, is now standing against India.
India’s alleged soft stance towards Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League government has been a subject of discussion from the very beginning. Bangladeshi student leaders and radical parties like Jamaat-e-Islami have been raising this issue since August of last year. Relations have been strained since August over the issue of granting asylum to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is currently residing in India.
A Bangladeshi court has sentenced Hasina to death. Since then, the interim government has formally requested India to extradite Hasina at least twice, but India has remained silent on the matter. This has further fueled resentment among radical parties and the interim government. Now, two recent sharp statements have put bilateral relations under scrutiny.
For the past decade, Sheikh Hasina’s government was considered close to India. During this period, Dhaka and Delhi strengthened their partnership on issues such as border security, cooperation on terrorism, connectivity projects, and balancing China’s influence. However, after Hasina’s downfall, a new political generation has emerged that strongly disapproves of the relationship between India and Sheikh Hasina.
The elections held during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure in Bangladesh saw very low voter turnout. A very small number of people cast their votes. Therefore, there is considerable excitement among the people regarding the elections scheduled for February 2026. People haven’t voted for 17 years, and you can sense their eagerness to vote on their faces.
In this chaotic situation, the radical Jamaat-e-Islami believes it has a chance to seize power. These forces are supported by Pakistan, the Pakistani army, and the ISI. ISI officers from Pakistan have set up camp in Dhaka. The BNP, led by Khaleda Zia, still enjoys popular support, but she herself is elderly and unwell. Sheikh Hasina’s party has been banned from participating in the elections. Therefore, fair elections cannot be expected. China’s interference in Bangladesh is steadily increasing. The parliamentary committee led by Shashi Tharoor has warned the government that the decline of the Awami League, the rise of youth-led nationalism, the resurgence of Islamist forces, and the growing influence of China and Pakistan are all converging to create a critical juncture in Bangladesh, representing the greatest strategic challenge since 1971. If the situation deteriorates further, it will pose a serious threat to India. The concern is not about war or conflict with Bangladesh, but rather that China and Pakistan will gain a foothold there. Attacks on minorities in Bangladesh may intensify before the elections. The emergence of a jihadist state on India’s eastern border would be a wake-up call for India. Bangladesh is completely out of control of Muhammad Yunus. The economic and employment situation is dire. Social instability is increasing, and law and order are in a terrible state. The future of Bangladesh does not look secure.
