National Security Volume VII Issue IV | October - December 2024

About the Issue

The present issue of National Security is devoted to the analysis of the recent development in Bangladesh. Amb. Veena Sikri, a former Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh questions the narrative that Sheikh Hasina’s ouster was a student-led revolution and presents a critical analysis of the current political situation in Bangladesh. She warns that the present situation in Bangladesh, with the Islamist forces in control, poses a threat to stability, prosperity and democracy in Bangladesh. Amb. Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, also a former High Commissioner who served in Dhaka during Sheikh Hasina’s time, describes the change of regime in Bangladesh as a “setback” and a challenge to India’s Neighbourhood First policy.

Situating the developments in Bangladesh in an overall political context, Prof. Sujit Dutta assesses the legacy of Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year rule in which Bangladesh was transformed positively. Drawing a parallel with the atrocities committed against the Hindus around the days of India’s partition in 1947, Raghvendra Singh, a former secretary to the government of India, provides the historical background to the problem of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh. Security analyst Shantanu Mukharji in his essay gives a background to the numerous Bangladeshi Islamist groups and concludes that the deepening struggle between secularism and Islamism will define the future of Bangladesh in the coming years.

Saudiptendu Ray records the event leading to the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and examines whether there was a connection between domestic developments and external factors. Persecution of minorities in Bangladesh has been continuing since 1947. Amb. Satish Chandra, former Deputy National Security Adviser, highlights the genocide in Bangladesh against the Hindu minority and goes into the factors why this has been for such a longtime. The journal also carries a book review. V. Srinivas reviews Mihir Bholey’s book, ‘Design Thinking for Resurgent Bharat’ for our readers. Dr. Anchita Borthakur builds a profile of the Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. Lauded all over the world for the establishment of Bangladesh Grameen Bank which provided microcredit and finance to the poorest sections of the society, Muhammad Yunus has been a controversial figure. Undoubtedly, he enjoys the support of the Western countries but his ability to bring back stability in the country in the present situation will be severely tested.

Letters and Comments

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Editorial Board [4]

International Editorial Advisory Board [5]

CONTENTS: Volume VII Issue IV | October - December 2024

Editor’s Note

Whither Bangladesh? | Arvind Gupta [6]

Essays

The Geo-Strategics of Regime Change in Bangladesh | Veena Sikri [7]

Bangladesh: Violent Regime Change and Power Shift | Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty [8]

The Bangladesh Upheaval and an Uncertain Future | Sujit Dutta [8]

An Unsettling Feeling of Déjà Vu: Nehru-Liaquat Pact and Shyama Prasad Mukherjee | Raghvendra Singh [8]

Deconstructing Islamist Influence in Bangladeshi Politics and Society | Shantanu Mukharji [8]

Article

Hijacked Revolution | Saudiptendu Ray [8]

Abstract : The events in Bangladesh between June and August 2024 exposed vulnerabilities in its democratic institutions. A student-led protest against an outdated quota system turned into a violent movement once it was hijacked by radical Islamists who were backed by external forces. This resulted in the ouster of Sheikh Hasina and further destabilised Bangladesh. The crisis revealed the strategic interventionism of the United States, employing economic power, diplomatic pressure, media manipulation, and covert operations to influence regime change. This interference, driven by broader geopolitical priorities like countering China and monitoring India, prioritised the United States interests over Bangladesh’s sovereignty. The rise of Muhammad Yunus as Chief Adviser, supported by the United States elites, underscored external manipulation. Tragically, communal violence, particularly against Hindus, who are a minority in Bangladesh, worsened with time due to inadequate global response. The crisis underscores the dangerous interplay of domestic instability and foreign intervention.

Speech

Persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh | Satish Chandra [8]

Book Review

Designing Policies for Vikasit Bharat | V. Srinivas [8]

Biography

Rise, Fall and Re-rise of Dr. Muhammad Yunus | Anchita Borthakur [8]