An unprecedented jingoistic and communal movement swept across the country since Bangladesh and India had agreed to implement coastal surveillance system under Indian defense credit line. Many did not like the deal and voiced strong opposition to such deal. Ultranationalists tried stir some movement, capitalizing this feverish anti-Indian feeling harbored by a tiny group of people, but did not get the desired momentum.
First sign of troubles was definitely the brutal death of BUET student Abrar, whose last Facebook post deemed critical of Indo-Bangladesh cooperation. Any tragic death at university usually triggers anti-government movement. That was what happened in the past. This time his fellow classmates keep protesting for a change in party politics at campus and do not demand anything for the national politics. They successfully limit their movement within the campus and give it apolitical look. Death of Abrar, in the end, turned out to be a brutal manifestation of student politics.
Second incident took place in the frontier. A raiding team of elite force, chasing a group of drug traffickers, crossed the border near Tripura and surrounded by Indian villagers. After a brief spell of humiliation, they were handed back to Bangladesh Border Guards by BSF. Few days later a group of Indian fishermen were catching fish near Bangladeshi waters in Rajshahi. BGB caught them red handed and brought them to camp for further questioning. Then plain clothes BSF personnel entered Bangladesh and unofficial talk at one stage went horribly wrong. Pandemonium reigned in the spot until a BGB shot killed a BSF sergeant. Two BSF men were also detained and later released at a flag meeting. The incident caught military bureaucrats and the press off guardis. Press accounts however differed greatly across the border how the event was unfolded but never stirred any hyper nationalistic feeling among the readers.
The last incident struck in Bhola. A Hindu young man's Facebook post was hacked and a group of men tried deliberately to cause some trouble out of that post. District administrators and police officials were outnumbered by a mob while they were holding meeting inside a building. To disperse the angry mob, police fired few shots , killing four and injuring hundred more. The number of the wounded gave an idea to understand the gravity of the situation prevailed in the ground. A certain quarter tried to stoke the fire of communalism. Hefajet chief appealed his followers for restraint. The disciples obeyed and protected a century old temple in Hathajari, setting a fine example of communal harmony.
Meanwhile Police with the help of Facebook team in Singapore identified two people in the hacking and alleged defamatory post. The two and the young man whose Facebook account was hacked were arrested for questioning. Another school of seminary however joined the fray and kept stoking the fire of ultra nationalism and communalism. I myself witnessed few of such gatherings in Dhaka. Their endeavor receded fast for lack of popular support. So the whole anti-Indian campaign turned into a damp squib.
Why did this happen?
Role of India in Bangladesh politics and economy has changed significantly over the years. India has emerged as a development partner by offering several billions dollar of credit line. In addition, it also opened up its market for Bangladesh RMG industry. Bangladesh 's export to India is about to touch the $1 billion mark. In the wake of slowing down of global economy, greater access to Indian market came as a boon for Bangladesh, diversifying its export market and giving it a cushion for adverse time in traditional export destinations.
In the cultural arena too, we see great changes taking place. Indian Film Industry opened up its door for Bangladeshi actors, actresses, directors. Collaboration projects are being undertaken. Literary festivals and musical soirées are bringing noted musical and literary personalities closer.
Press and cultural people, who shape and mould public opinion, and businessmen, who keep running economy, did not join this fray. They did not lend their support to this anti-India movement to initiate a nationalistic air among the crowd.
For long, defense, or defense procurement to be precise, remains an exclusive matter to a certain group, which raised all sorts of obstacles to talk about it and to demand explanation or transparency in this sector. Press has been kept aside for the sake of "national security or interest". Unfortunately, on many occasions this interest has been compromised by the same forces who are about to uphold it.
Lack of transparency in defense procurement opened a route of steady benefits to this privileged group. In India, press is free to cover defense related issues, even the controversial one. Bofors debacle dethroned Congress party. It was first reported on the Press. Rafale deal controversy tarnished the image of BJP. Again it was covered and raised by the press. In addition, other defense corruption issues like Adarsha Housing scam were on the press radar and brought to the book because Indian media's relentless efforts to expose the murky truth.
Bangladesh partisan media never treaded that path as such adventure may jeopardize its bread and butter. Many of the crucial defense deals signed with friendly countries have never been discussed in the parliament, a place where issues of great national interests should be discussed at length. We also see by ignoring parliament and the press, this kind of defense agreement is leading to send troops in conflict zones where no multilateral body is present. Maybe some institution and military bureaucrats get benefited from such deal , but Bangladesh as a whole suffered a lot. In many of these conflict zones, security personnel of neighboring countries are working and earning huge forex. Perhaps this may lead to ink this cooperation, keeping the parliament in the dark.
We also see the internal reward-punishment system, which needs to be done in a transparent manner, of the Armed Forces is very weak. No news of the verdict of the offenders has been divulged. For instance, the press is eager to know the fate of the two commanding officers involved killing councilor Ekram in Cox's Bazar. What lapses of security establishment did make Bangladesh a Tk 5000 crore yaba market? Parliamentary committee never convene special hearing or summon people or organization's head to question about defense related corruption, abuse of power by security personnel and injustice purported on civilians under the cover of immunity.
The more transparent and open our defense sector is, the more strong will be this institution and democracy. At the same time, understanding of the relationship between defense and the civilian will be lot easier.
This much needed transparency is detrimental to the ecosystem, developed over the years and feeding a certain group, exists already in this sector. Bangladeshi press may overlook defense procurement issues but Indian press will question on every rupee spent on the procurement program and demand explanation. This pressure will prompt to change the things that have been going on over the years. For this reason, we see voices strong against possible defense cooperation took resort to stoke anti-Indian wave and to spur nationalist movement. This tactics is passé as people do not fall into that trap and have easy access to information.
It is indeed silly to hear that with the installation of coastal radar system India will have greater access to Bangladeshi coast and keep a close tab on the Bay of Bengal. Without official channels India has means to oversee things at Bay of Bengal. Official cooperation will augment our capability as well as keep us abrest of Indian plans and motives about this part of the world.
Another crucial aspect of this defense cooperation is that it will dilute the influence of that quarter inside the Armed forces that keeps a link with ideological groups and promotes misadventures.
Gone are the days when this kind of feverish hostile feeling towards different religion equated with hatred towards a country was used to resurge nationalist movement. People start to ask questions why the suited-booted patriots' children are not there in street agitation, why retired military bureaucrats kept mum about wrongdoings inside garrison. At the same time, let this kind of cooperation between democracies ushers in wider transparency and accountability in defense sector.
First sign of troubles was definitely the brutal death of BUET student Abrar, whose last Facebook post deemed critical of Indo-Bangladesh cooperation. Any tragic death at university usually triggers anti-government movement. That was what happened in the past. This time his fellow classmates keep protesting for a change in party politics at campus and do not demand anything for the national politics. They successfully limit their movement within the campus and give it apolitical look. Death of Abrar, in the end, turned out to be a brutal manifestation of student politics.
Second incident took place in the frontier. A raiding team of elite force, chasing a group of drug traffickers, crossed the border near Tripura and surrounded by Indian villagers. After a brief spell of humiliation, they were handed back to Bangladesh Border Guards by BSF. Few days later a group of Indian fishermen were catching fish near Bangladeshi waters in Rajshahi. BGB caught them red handed and brought them to camp for further questioning. Then plain clothes BSF personnel entered Bangladesh and unofficial talk at one stage went horribly wrong. Pandemonium reigned in the spot until a BGB shot killed a BSF sergeant. Two BSF men were also detained and later released at a flag meeting. The incident caught military bureaucrats and the press off guardis. Press accounts however differed greatly across the border how the event was unfolded but never stirred any hyper nationalistic feeling among the readers.
The last incident struck in Bhola. A Hindu young man's Facebook post was hacked and a group of men tried deliberately to cause some trouble out of that post. District administrators and police officials were outnumbered by a mob while they were holding meeting inside a building. To disperse the angry mob, police fired few shots , killing four and injuring hundred more. The number of the wounded gave an idea to understand the gravity of the situation prevailed in the ground. A certain quarter tried to stoke the fire of communalism. Hefajet chief appealed his followers for restraint. The disciples obeyed and protected a century old temple in Hathajari, setting a fine example of communal harmony.
Meanwhile Police with the help of Facebook team in Singapore identified two people in the hacking and alleged defamatory post. The two and the young man whose Facebook account was hacked were arrested for questioning. Another school of seminary however joined the fray and kept stoking the fire of ultra nationalism and communalism. I myself witnessed few of such gatherings in Dhaka. Their endeavor receded fast for lack of popular support. So the whole anti-Indian campaign turned into a damp squib.
Why did this happen?
Role of India in Bangladesh politics and economy has changed significantly over the years. India has emerged as a development partner by offering several billions dollar of credit line. In addition, it also opened up its market for Bangladesh RMG industry. Bangladesh 's export to India is about to touch the $1 billion mark. In the wake of slowing down of global economy, greater access to Indian market came as a boon for Bangladesh, diversifying its export market and giving it a cushion for adverse time in traditional export destinations.
In the cultural arena too, we see great changes taking place. Indian Film Industry opened up its door for Bangladeshi actors, actresses, directors. Collaboration projects are being undertaken. Literary festivals and musical soirées are bringing noted musical and literary personalities closer.
Press and cultural people, who shape and mould public opinion, and businessmen, who keep running economy, did not join this fray. They did not lend their support to this anti-India movement to initiate a nationalistic air among the crowd.
For long, defense, or defense procurement to be precise, remains an exclusive matter to a certain group, which raised all sorts of obstacles to talk about it and to demand explanation or transparency in this sector. Press has been kept aside for the sake of "national security or interest". Unfortunately, on many occasions this interest has been compromised by the same forces who are about to uphold it.
Lack of transparency in defense procurement opened a route of steady benefits to this privileged group. In India, press is free to cover defense related issues, even the controversial one. Bofors debacle dethroned Congress party. It was first reported on the Press. Rafale deal controversy tarnished the image of BJP. Again it was covered and raised by the press. In addition, other defense corruption issues like Adarsha Housing scam were on the press radar and brought to the book because Indian media's relentless efforts to expose the murky truth.
Bangladesh partisan media never treaded that path as such adventure may jeopardize its bread and butter. Many of the crucial defense deals signed with friendly countries have never been discussed in the parliament, a place where issues of great national interests should be discussed at length. We also see by ignoring parliament and the press, this kind of defense agreement is leading to send troops in conflict zones where no multilateral body is present. Maybe some institution and military bureaucrats get benefited from such deal , but Bangladesh as a whole suffered a lot. In many of these conflict zones, security personnel of neighboring countries are working and earning huge forex. Perhaps this may lead to ink this cooperation, keeping the parliament in the dark.
We also see the internal reward-punishment system, which needs to be done in a transparent manner, of the Armed Forces is very weak. No news of the verdict of the offenders has been divulged. For instance, the press is eager to know the fate of the two commanding officers involved killing councilor Ekram in Cox's Bazar. What lapses of security establishment did make Bangladesh a Tk 5000 crore yaba market? Parliamentary committee never convene special hearing or summon people or organization's head to question about defense related corruption, abuse of power by security personnel and injustice purported on civilians under the cover of immunity.
The more transparent and open our defense sector is, the more strong will be this institution and democracy. At the same time, understanding of the relationship between defense and the civilian will be lot easier.
This much needed transparency is detrimental to the ecosystem, developed over the years and feeding a certain group, exists already in this sector. Bangladeshi press may overlook defense procurement issues but Indian press will question on every rupee spent on the procurement program and demand explanation. This pressure will prompt to change the things that have been going on over the years. For this reason, we see voices strong against possible defense cooperation took resort to stoke anti-Indian wave and to spur nationalist movement. This tactics is passé as people do not fall into that trap and have easy access to information.
It is indeed silly to hear that with the installation of coastal radar system India will have greater access to Bangladeshi coast and keep a close tab on the Bay of Bengal. Without official channels India has means to oversee things at Bay of Bengal. Official cooperation will augment our capability as well as keep us abrest of Indian plans and motives about this part of the world.
Another crucial aspect of this defense cooperation is that it will dilute the influence of that quarter inside the Armed forces that keeps a link with ideological groups and promotes misadventures.
Gone are the days when this kind of feverish hostile feeling towards different religion equated with hatred towards a country was used to resurge nationalist movement. People start to ask questions why the suited-booted patriots' children are not there in street agitation, why retired military bureaucrats kept mum about wrongdoings inside garrison. At the same time, let this kind of cooperation between democracies ushers in wider transparency and accountability in defense sector.
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