Shadow of violence over Bangladesh elections

• Collusion between Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and Jamaat-e-Islami

• Indian intelligence agencies issue alert

(ISI refers to Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan’s military intelligence agency)

Dhaka (Bangladesh) – With parliamentary elections scheduled to be held in Bangladesh on 12 February, a shadow of violence looms over the process, prompting Indian intelligence agencies to issue an alert. Bangladesh is on the brink of chaos. Since Sheikh Hasina lost power, incidents of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh have increased. At the same time, Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI and the extremist organisation Jamaat-e-Islami have reportedly joined hands.

1. The interim government led by Muhammad Yunus has completely failed to control crime in Bangladesh. Soon after coming to power, Yunus first lifted the ban on the extremist organisation Jamaat-e-Islami and released several terrorists from prison. These very elements are now preparing to engineer violence during the elections. If defeat appears imminent in the upcoming polls, Jamaat’s radical cadres are believed to be planning street violence and unrest.

2. Pakistan is making sustained efforts to bring Jamaat-e-Islami to power in order to gain complete control over Bangladesh. It is also being reported that Yunus has held secret meetings with ISI officials and Jamaat leaders to secure the presidency for himself after the elections. It is said that all possible efforts will be made to postpone the elections so that the current interim government remains in power.

3. Similarly, there is a strong possibility that through a referendum, changes may be made to the Constitution to replace the term ‘Bengali’ with ‘Bangladeshi’, thereby erasing the country’s original identity.

4. During the election period, there is a high likelihood of political candidates being assassinated and minority Hindus being specifically targeted.

5. This potential violence in Bangladesh could also impact India’s security. Anticipating large-scale infiltration into West Bengal and northeastern Indian states, the Indian Border Security Force has intensified patrolling along the border.