The deposition of Sheikh Haseena and the military coup in Bangladesh, our neighbor and a major economic power of Asia Pacific, will revive the horrors lived by Hindus.
Ethnic Cleansing in Bangladesh
The book Lajja by Taslima Nasreen deals with how the demolition of Babri in India wreaked havoc on Hindus in Bangladesh. More than 49 million Hindus are missing. Formation of a nation-state on the basis of communalism will never be a long term game.
Statistics of minority killing
a) 2009 anti-Hindu program in Sutrapur, Dhaka, Awami League attacked Hindus and demolished temples, while the local police captain, Tofzzal Hussain, declared no such occurrence took place.
b) Abduction of Koli Goswami from her home, the police played it as an interfaith love affair between the victim and culprit.
c) Rape of a 22-year-old woman, mother of two children, Koli Rani Roy, no justice yet.
d) In August 2012, attack on the minority community because of lodging a complaint against the construction of an illegal building. A close look will tell you that such incidents are very common in India.
(Data from States, Societies, and Minorities in South Asia by Sunil Kukreja)
Economy and Infrastructure
Bangladesh is India’s partner in BBIN, Agartala-Akhaura project and a major competitor in textile and jute production. Now is India time to decide its priorities. History tells us that a country under coup, doesn’t bounce back easily (Pakistan, Myanmar, Afghanistan to say the least), now Bangladesh. Extending moral and humanitarian support should not come at the cost of Bharat’s growth.
Political Stage
Disturbance in Bangladesh won’t fare well for India; we have already seen the partial love Bengal has for minorities. Politics of intolerance is selective. Influx of Rohingyas and issuing Aadhar cards to reduce the illegal migrants to vote bank without any citizenship, taxes, or contribution in the country, while they easily evade any responsibility. This is why the nation needs CAA and NRC.
Foreseeing the future
A deafening silence will spawn over secular humanist champions, and selective sympathy cards will be played while Bengalis continue to suffer. Migrant influx is going to be a huge hurdle that the ruling party is already having a hard time dealing with. Sudden humanitarian slogans will be voiced by those who kept silent on Manipur and Haryana. The decision makers should prioritize on rescuing minorities and focus on being a key player in the Asia Pacific, rather an idealist.
