Democratic citizenship is no longer confined within national borders. In the 21st century, large-scale migration and the growing political influence of diasporas have reshaped how democracy works. Against this backdrop, Bangladesh’s recent move to institutionalize overseas voting marks a significant moment, not just for the country, but for South Asia as a whole. This article situates Bangladeshi decision within a broader regional and global context, especially highlighting how the country has moved faster, and more decisively, than its South Asian neighbors.

The 2024 student-led mass uprising and the subsequent fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime created a moment of democratic reckoning. In the aftermath, Bangladesh began reassessing who counts as a political citizen. More than 140 countries around the world already allow citizens living abroad to vote in national elections. South Asia, however, has long remained an exception. Following the July 2024 student-mass uprising, Bangladesh’s decision to enfranchise expatriate voters marks a clear break from that pattern. The move highlights how democratic reform can shape regional geopolitics, giving Bangladesh new soft power and a lead role advancing transnational democracy across South Asia.

Bangladeshi diaspora, estimated at over 9 million migrant workers and 3.4 million permanent immigrants, sends billions of dollars home each year. These remittances make expatriates a powerful economic force. Yet for decades, this same group remained politically invisible, unable to vote or influence the country’s political direction. This gap between economic contribution and political exclusion reflects what Allen and his colleagues have described as South Asia’s paradox of delayed enfranchisement: legal provisions exist, but implementation is stalled by institutional inertia, administrative weakness, and logistical complexity.

Diaspora, Democracy, and Citizenship Beyond Borders

Today, diasporas are no longer distant observers of homeland politics. They function as transnational constituencies, shaping national debates from afar. Across the world, overseas voting has emerged both as a democratic right and as a form of soft power, allowing states to maintain symbolic and political ties with their citizens abroad.

In South Asia, however, these developments have been constrained by colonial legacies in public administration and postcolonial anxieties around sovereignty, loyalty, and national identity. Bangladesh stands out because of its high levels of outward migration, deep reliance on remittances, and long, if turbulent, electoral history. Yet migrant workers, often labeled “temporary” or “low-skilled,” were systematically excluded from the political process due to bureaucratic hurdles, weak postal systems, and limited embassy capacity.

The Representation of the People (Amendment) Act of 2013 technically granted expatriates the right to vote through postal ballots. In practice, the system was unworkable. Voters had to apply to district offices in Bangladesh, wait for ballots to arrive by post, and return them within narrow timeframes. As the 2018 election demonstrated, these constraints made voting from abroad nearly impossible. That is, overseas citizens had a legal right to vote, but no realistic way to exercise it.

That changed after 2024. As authoritarian rule gave way to democratic reform efforts, an interim electoral reform committee reviewed global models and introduced a hybrid system combining postal voting, electronic registration, and in-person voting at embassies. In doing so, Bangladesh moved beyond symbolic recognition of citizenship toward a more inclusive and practical democratic framework.

South Asia’s Deferred Enfranchisement in Context

Bangladesh’s progress becomes clearer when compared with its regional peers. Across South Asia, according to Allen and his colleagues: overseas voting has been characterized by delayed laws, stalled implementation, and reliance on court rulings rather than legislative action. Despite large and influential diasporas, only the Maldives and Bhutan have established limited forms of regular overseas voting.

Elsewhere, reform has stalled. Sri Lanka, for instance, announced plans to allow migrant voting after political upheaval, but fiscal pressures and partisan resistance have slowed progress. Pakistan and Nepal face similar constraints. In contrast, Bangladesh has demonstrated both political commitment and administrative momentum.

The Bangladesh Election Commission (BEC) has begun piloting embassy-based voting and exploring digital identification through national ID numbers. Unlike regional counterparts, where overseas voting often remains rhetorical, Bangladesh has proactively moved into the realm of implementation.

Remittances, Power, and Democratic Accountability

The Bangladeshi diaspora was celebrated as “development heroes” but was denied their political participation. Enfranchising expatriates addresses the long-standing gap between their economic contribution and political exclusion. For years, diaspora influence functioned indirectly, through remittances, or what many describe as “voting with their wallets.”

Formal voting rights transform that imbalance into a reciprocal social contract, allowing overseas citizens to hold leaders accountable for decisions affecting migration policy, currency stability, and labor welfare. Seen this way, the July 2024 uprising was not only a political rupture, but a democratic reset that reopened questions of who truly belongs in the polity.

Granting voting rights to expatriates is therefore both practical and symbolic. It marks a departure from exclusionary governance and positions Bangladesh as a more inclusive democracy within the Global South.

Regional Impact and Democratic Leadership

According to the practice of international relations, a state when initiates a new norm within its borders can set a precedent for other states to emulate, follow, and/or adopt that norm. With the introduction of diaspora voting in Bangladesh, the country has also established itself as a norm entrepreneur and, in turn, has influenced policy discussions in other states. Policy discussions in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Nepal have increasingly referenced Bangladesh’s model, suggesting a spillover effect. If sustained, this shift could encourage broader democratic reform across a region long resistant to transnational enfranchisement.

At the same time, Bangladesh’s approach strengthens its moral standing in global forums. Amid rising geopolitical competition between India and China, Bangladesh’s emphasis on inclusive citizenship enhances its soft power, contrasting with India’s caution on diaspora rights and China’s restrictive policies toward overseas citizens.

At the same time, Bangladesh’s approach strengthens its moral standing in global forums. Amid rising geopolitical competition between India and China, Bangladesh’s emphasis on inclusive citizenship enhances its soft power, contrasting with India’s caution on diaspora rights and China’s restrictive policies toward overseas citizens.

Postal Voting and Democratic Deepening

Postal voting has generated significant enthusiasm among Bangladeshis abroad. More than 1.5 million eligible voters, including expatriates, government officials on duty, and other groups, can now participate in national elections. Citizens across 123 countries are able to vote, reinforcing the link between the state and its global population.

The introduction of the ‘Postal Vote BD’ app signals a broader commitment to technological modernization. While challenges remain, postal voting has the potential to influence closely contested constituencies and strengthen the representative legitimacy of elections.

Ultimately, Bangladesh’s embrace of overseas voting represents a decisive break from South Asia’s tradition of diaspora exclusion. It allows citizens to participate politically without returning home and reaffirms democracy as a living, adaptive system rather than a fixed institutional ritual.

About the Author

Shah Jahan Shuvo is the Social Media Editor, The Insighta. He is a researcher and journalist. He can be reached at jahanbdasia@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

আন্তর্জাতিক রাজনীতি ও নিরাপত্তা বিশ্লেষণে যাঁরা নিয়মিত নজর রাখেন, তাঁদের কাছে ভারত ও পাকিস্তান দুই দেশেরই কৌশলগত পরিকল্পনা ও নিরাপত্তা-ভাবনা পরিচিত। ‘প্রতিবেশী প্রথম’ নীতি থেকে শুরু করে ‘কোল্ড স্টার্ট’–এর মতো ডকট্রিনের আলোচনা যেমন ভারতের নীতিচর্চায় দেখা যায়, তেমনি পাকিস্তানের ক্ষেত্রে প্রতিরোধক্ষমতা, জোটনীতি ও প্রতিরক্ষা-সামর্থ্য টিকিয়ে রাখার বাস্তব হিসাবও ধারাবাহিকভাবে সামনে আসে। ১৯৪৭ সালের পর থেকে একাধিক সংঘাতে কার লাভ-ক্ষতি কতটা “স্থায়ী” ছিল, এ নিয়ে মূল্যায়ন একরকম নয়। ঘটনাপ্রবাহ, সামরিক সক্ষমতা, কূটনৈতিক পরিবেশ এবং অভ্যন্তরীণ রাজনীতির প্রেক্ষাপট বদলানোর সঙ্গে সঙ্গে বিশ্লেষকদের দৃষ্টিও ভিন্ন হয়েছে। সে কারণেই কার কৌশল কতটা কার্যকর, বা কার সুবিধা কোথায়, এ প্রশ্নে একদিকে যেমন ভারতের পরিকল্পনার ধারাবাহিকতা আলোচনায় আসে, অন্যদিকে কিছু সমালোচকের মতে এই সুবিধা অনেক সময় নির্দিষ্ট প্রতিপক্ষ ও পরিস্থিতিতেই বেশি দৃশ্যমান থাকে।

এই প্রেক্ষাপটে সাম্প্রতিক সময়ে বাংলাদেশের প্রতিরক্ষা খাতে একটি সম্ভাব্য সিদ্ধান্ত ঘিরে আঞ্চলিক আলোচনায় নতুন মাত্রা যোগ হয়েছে। অনলাইন পরিসরে ব্যাপকভাবে ছড়িয়ে পড়া দাবি অনুযায়ী, বাংলাদেশ পাকিস্তান থেকে যুদ্ধবিমান ক্রয়ের পথে এগোচ্ছে। বিশেষ করে ২০২৬ সালের জানুয়ারির প্রথম সপ্তাহে বাংলাদেশ বিমানবাহিনীর প্রধান এয়ার চিফ মার্শাল হাসান মাহমুদ খানের চারদিনের ইসলামাবাদ সফরের পর বিষয়টি আন্তর্জাতিকভাবে বেশি গুরুত্ব পায়। প্রাথমিক প্রতিবেদনে বলা হচ্ছে, পাকিস্তান অ্যারোনটিক্যাল কমপ্লেক্স থেকে ১৬টি এবং দীর্ঘমেয়াদে মোট ৪৮টি জেএফ-১৭ থান্ডার ব্লক থ্রি (৪.৫ জেনারেশন) যুদ্ধবিমান কেনার বিষয়ে আলোচনা অগ্রসর হয়েছে, যার সম্ভাব্য মূল্য প্রায় দুই বিলিয়ন মার্কিন ডলার।

এই খবর ভারতের গণমাধ্যমে বিশেষ করে টেলিভিশন টকশোগুলোতে তীব্র প্রতিক্রিয়া সৃষ্টি করেছে। ৯ জানুয়ারি ২০২৬ তারিখে ভারতের পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়ের মুখপাত্র রণধীর জয়সওয়াল জানান, বাংলাদেশ ও পাকিস্তানের মধ্যে সম্ভাব্য এই প্রতিরক্ষা সহযোগিতা ভারতের জাতীয় নিরাপত্তার স্বার্থে ‘গভীরভাবে পর্যবেক্ষণ’ করা হচ্ছে। তবে ভারতের উদ্বেগের বাইরে গিয়ে আলোচনার আরেকটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ দিক তুলনামূলকভাবে কম আলোচিত, তা হলো, কৌশলগত বিচারে পাকিস্তান কীভাবে যুদ্ধবিমান উৎপাদন ও রপ্তানিতে ভারতের চেয়ে দৃশ্যমান সাফল্য দেখাতে পারল।

ইতিহাসের দিকে তাকালে পার্থক্যটি আরও স্পষ্ট হয়। ১৯৭৪ সালে ভারতের প্রথম পারমাণবিক পরীক্ষা, ‘স্মাইলিং বুদ্ধ’, দেশটিকে বিশ্ব রাজনীতিতে নতুন উচ্চতায় নিয়ে যায়। এর প্রতিক্রিয়ায় পাকিস্তানের তৎকালীন প্রধানমন্ত্রী জুলফিকার আলি ভুট্টো যেকোনো মূল্যে পারমাণবিক সক্ষমতা অর্জনের ঘোষণা দেন। তবে সেই লক্ষ্য পূরণে পাকিস্তানের সময় লাগে প্রায় চব্বিশ বছর; ১৯৯৮ সালের ২৮ মে বেলুচিস্তানের চাগাই পাহাড়ে ‘চাগাই-১’ পরীক্ষার মাধ্যমে তারা পারমাণবিক শক্তিধর রাষ্ট্রে পরিণত হয়। এই ব্যবধানই ইঙ্গিত দেয় যে, প্রতিরক্ষা প্রযুক্তিতে পাকিস্তান দীর্ঘ সময় ধরেই ভারতের তুলনায় পিছিয়ে ছিল।

তবুও বর্তমান বাস্তবতায় দেখা যাচ্ছে, পাকিস্তান যেখানে নিজস্বভাবে তৈরি যুদ্ধবিমান একাধিক দেশে রপ্তানি করছে, সেখানে ভারত এখনো সেই পর্যায়ে পৌঁছাতে পারেনি। ২০২৪ ও ২০২৫ সালের মধ্যে পাকিস্তান আজারবাইজান ও লিবিয়ার সঙ্গে প্রায় পাঁচ বিলিয়ন ডলারের যুদ্ধবিমান রপ্তানি চুক্তি সম্পন্ন করেছে বলে বিভিন্ন প্রতিবেদনে উল্লেখ রয়েছে। বিপরীতে ভারতের রাষ্ট্রায়ত্ত প্রতিষ্ঠান হিন্দুস্তান অ্যারোনটিক্স লিমিটেড (এইচএএল) এখনো তেজস যুদ্ধবিমানের উৎপাদনে লক্ষ্যমাত্রা পূরণে হিমশিম খাচ্ছে, যার অন্যতম কারণ মার্কিন জিই ইঞ্জিন সরবরাহে বিলম্ব।

ভারতের নিজস্ব যুদ্ধবিমান তৈরির যাত্রা শুরু হয়েছিল ১৯৮৩ সালে লাইট কমব্যাট এয়ারক্রাফট (এলসিএ) প্রকল্পের মাধ্যমে। দীর্ঘ ১৮ বছর পর ২০০১ সালে এর প্রথম সফল প্রোটোটাইপ উড্ডয়ন করে। এটি ভারতের প্রথম আধুনিক সুপারসনিক যুদ্ধবিমান হলেও প্রকল্পটির গতি ছিল ধীর। এর আগে ১৯৬০-এর দশকে এইচএফ-২৪ মারুত প্রকল্প প্রত্যাশা পূরণে ব্যর্থ হয়েছিল। ফলে ভারতীয় বিমানবাহিনী দীর্ঘ সময় বিদেশি মিগ-২১ ও মিরাজ-২০০০-এর ওপর নির্ভরশীল ছিল।

২০০৩ সালে এলসিএ প্রকল্পের নামকরণ হয় ‘তেজস’। একই বছর পাকিস্তান-চীন যৌথ উদ্যোগে তৈরি এফসি-১ যুদ্ধবিমানের প্রথম উড্ডয়ন ঘটে, যা পরবর্তীতে জেএফ-১৭ নামে পরিচিত হয়। মাত্র এক দশকের মধ্যে এই প্রকল্প বাস্তবায়ন করে পাকিস্তান ও চীন। ভারতীয় মহলে তখন এই বিমানকে উপহাস করলেও, একই সময়ে ভারতের পুরনো মিগ-২১ বিমানের ধারাবাহিক দুর্ঘটনা দেশটির বিমান নিরাপত্তা নিয়ে প্রশ্ন তোলে।

২০০৭ সালে পাকিস্তান আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে জেএফ-১৭ বিমান নিজেদের বিমানবাহিনীতে যুক্ত করে। ভারতীয় তেজস তখনো সামরিক বহরে অন্তর্ভুক্ত হয়নি। অবশেষে ২০১৬ সালে প্রথম তেজস স্কোয়াড্রনে যুক্ত হয়। এর মধ্যে পাকিস্তান চারটি যুদ্ধপ্রস্তুত স্কোয়াড্রন গড়ে তোলে এবং বাস্তব অভিযানে ব্যবহারের অভিজ্ঞতাও অর্জন করে, যা তাদের রপ্তানি সক্ষমতা বাড়াতে সহায়ক হয়।

২০২৫ সালে এসে তেজস উৎপাদনে কিছুটা গতি এলেও একই বছরের নভেম্বরে দুবাই এয়ার শোতে একটি দুর্ঘটনা ভারতের রপ্তানি স্বপ্নে বড় ধাক্কা দেয়। আর্মেনিয়া তেজস কেনার আলোচনা স্থগিত করে এবং আর্জেন্টিনা জেএফ-১৭ কেনার পথে অগ্রসর হয়। আজারবাইজান ইতোমধ্যে ১.৬ বিলিয়ন ডলারের চুক্তি সম্পন্ন করেছে।

সবচেয়ে তাৎপর্যপূর্ণ বিষয় হলো, ‘স্বদেশি’ প্রযুক্তির প্রতীক হিসেবে তেজস তৈরি হলেও এর প্রধান ইঞ্জিন এখনো বিদেশি, মার্কিন জিই এফ৪০৪ ও এফ৪১৪ নির্ভর। অন্যদিকে সাম্প্রতিক সামরিক অভিযান অপারেশন সিন্দুরে রাফায়েলসহ ভারতের অন্যান্য যুদ্ধবিমান নিয়েও প্রশ্ন উঠেছে, যেখানে তেজসের সরাসরি যুদ্ধভূমিতে অনুপস্থিতি নিয়ে দেশটির গণমাধ্যমে সমালোচনা হয়েছে।

এই বাস্তবতায় পাকিস্তানের তুলনামূলকভাবে সফল যুদ্ধবিমান বাংলাদেশ কিনতে পারে, এটি ভারতের জন্য স্বস্তিকর হওয়ার কথা নয়। তবে প্রশ্ন থেকে যায়, ভারতের প্রভাববলয়ে থাকা একটি দেশে পাকিস্তান কেন তাদের অন্যতম গুরুত্বপূর্ণ প্রতিরক্ষা সম্পদ রপ্তানিতে আগ্রহী হবে? যদি এমন কোনো চুক্তি আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে স্বাক্ষরিত হয়, তবে তা হয়তো পাকিস্তানের অর্থনৈতিক বাস্তবতা, নয়তো বাংলাদেশের প্রতিরক্ষা কৌশলে একটি তাৎপর্যপূর্ণ পরিবর্তনের ইঙ্গিত বহন করবে।

About The Author

Md Saifuddin is a ​Senior Autonomy Engineer at USA’s top heavy manufacturer. Researcher in Connected Autonomy. Exploring the intersection of Geopolitics, History, & Religion. He can be reached at md.saif05@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta’s editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

Between May and December 2025, religious minorities in India and Bangladesh faced sustained violence, hate speech, legal pressure, and organized misinformation. During this period, The Insighta documented at least 100 major incidents across the two countries. Around 71 of these incidents occurred in India, including repeated cases of mob violence, lynching, cow vigilantism, forced evictions, demolitions, deportations, and open hate speech by political and religious leaders. At least 29 incidents were recorded in Bangladesh, where large-scale physical violence was less frequent but mob attacks triggered by religious allegations and sustained misinformation campaigns posed serious risks to minority communities. Overall, India accounted for most cases of physical violence and state action, while Bangladesh was more heavily affected by rumor-driven violence and cross-border disinformation. Several incidents during the year illustrate the severity of these trends.

In December 2025, a Hindu man was beaten to death in Bhaluka, Mymensingh, over blasphemy allegations in Bangladesh. In October 2025, senior Indian political leaders made openly communal statements, while Muslim localities in Cuttack, Odisha, were vandalized following a religious procession. In July 2025, demolition drives in Assam displaced thousands of Bengali-speaking Muslims during the monsoon. Earlier, in May 2025, more than 7,000 mostly Muslim homes were demolished in Ahmedabad, and between May 7 and 9, Indian border forces pushed hundreds of Muslims and Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh. These incidents show how violence, state action, and public rhetoric affected minorities in both countries.

This yearly report presents these developments in reverse chronological order, from December back to May 2025, to trace how communal pressure and misinformation evolved and intensified over time. By documenting incidents month by month across India and Bangladesh, the report highlights patterns of physical attacks, hate speech, administrative pressure, symbolic exclusion, and digital propaganda, and shows how online misinformation and on-ground actions together deepened fear, mistrust, and regional instability throughout 2025.

December 2025

December 2025 recorded at least eight major incidents across India and Bangladesh, marked by state actions, communal tension, political statements targeting Muslim institutions, mob violence, attacks and renewed waves of misinformation affecting religious minorities.

In India, government-led actions and public debates continued to affect Muslim communities. Uttar Pradesh launched a statewide operation against alleged “illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya migrants,” ordering municipal bodies to prepare lists of suspected foreign nationals and directing the establishment of detention centers across administrative divisions. In Karnataka, tensions resurfaced at a government college after Hindu students entered classrooms wearing saffron shawls to protest Muslim girls wearing hijabs. Political rhetoric also intensified, with a BJP MP calling in Parliament for mandatory CCTV surveillance in mosques and madrasas, arguing for uniform security standards across religious institutions. Besides, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, sparked widespread condemnation after saying Bangladesh should be taught a “lesson like Israel has taught Gaza.”

Alongside these developments, misinformation targeting Bangladesh continued to circulate in Indian media and social media spaces. A viral claim showing a Hindu temple being vandalized in Bangladesh was found to be false, as the video was from Pakistan in 2021. Separately, Indian outlets again pushed the debunked “Greater Bangladesh” narrative, falsely accusing a Bangladeshi activist of promoting territorial expansion, despite repeated fact-checks disproving the claim.

In Bangladesh, the month saw a severe incident of mob violence. In Mymensingh’s Bhaluka upazila, a Hindu man was beaten to death over allegations of blasphemy, and his body was later tied to a tree and set on fire, according to police. Besides, a series of arson attacks targeting the homes of Hindu families took place in Raozan upazila of Chattogram, prompting the authorities to arrest five people and form a “special security team” to ensure safety in the affected areas.

Overall, December reflected a continued regional pattern of state pressure, hostile political narratives, mob violence, attacks on minorities and cross-border misinformation, all contributing to fear, mistrust, and strained communal relations in both India and Bangladesh.

November 2025

November recorded 11 notable incidents involving hate speech, intimidation, legal pressure, and misinformation. Extreme rhetoric, symbolic state actions, mob pressure, and false narratives deepened communal anxiety.

In India, Hindutva leaders openly called for violence and exclusion. Senior figures like Tulika Sharma and Yati Narsinghanand demanded a Hindu-only nation and military attacks on Muslim educational institutions. Christians in Haryana were allegedly forced by mobs to renounce their faith and burn holy books. Muslim religious practices faced legal action, including life sentences for three men convicted under cow slaughter laws. The state also took communal steps, such as renaming Islampur to Ishwarpur in Maharashtra.

In Bangladesh, misinformation dominated. Viral claims about a private militia in Dhaka, a temple fire in Kushtia, and other alleged communal threats circulated by Indian media and social media accounts were later found false by independent fact-checkers.

October 2025

October recorded at least 11 major incidents of hate speech, violence, and misinformation targeting religious minorities. The month combined on-ground attacks, inflammatory political rhetoric, and digital disinformation, heightening communal tension.

In India, Christians in Chhattisgarh were denied burial rights as villages discussed church demolitions. Muslim localities in Cuttack were vandalized by Hindutva mobs after communal clashes linked to a religious procession. Two journalists were booked after reporting that a Muslim woman was denied medical treatment due to her faith. Senior political leaders made openly communal remarks. Home Minister Amit Shah linked Muslim population growth to “infiltration,” BJP leader Raghvendra Pratap Singh urged Hindu youths to kidnap Muslim girls, and Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami labeled Muslims as “land jihadis” while announcing crackdowns on madrasas and conversions. A Muslim minor girl faced mob intimidation after remarks on cow slaughter went viral.

In Bangladesh, the wave of misinformation continued. False narratives included a communal murder of a Hindu policewoman, anti-Hindu slogans by madrasa students, and Dr. Muhammad Yunus gifting a “Greater Bangladesh” flag. Another viral video claiming a Hindu youth was killed by Muslims in Bangladesh was traced to Nepal, exposing cross-border misinformation.

September 2025

September saw at least 15 major incidents of disinformation, hate-driven propaganda, and communal targeting across Bangladesh and India. Fabricated communal claims, recycled images, misleading statistics, and extremist rhetoric deepened mistrust and polarization.

In Bangladesh, false narratives circulated about killings in Chattogram and Khulna, idol vandalism in Joypurhat, alleged rape and murder of Hindu girls, and rumors of Muslims praying inside temples. Police and fact-checkers confirmed most were old cases, private disputes, suicides, or misrepresented events with no communal link. Universities and public institutions were targeted by misinformation, including false claims of mandatory hijab at Dhaka University and distorted nationwide crime statistics portraying violence as directed specifically at Hindus.

In India, extremist rhetoric and violence continued. Bajrang Dal activists attacked Christian worshippers in Chhattisgarh, and an imam in Uttar Pradesh was assaulted for refusing to chant a religious slogan. Hindutva leaders openly called for a Hindu-only nation. Indian media and political platforms amplified misinformation, including false reports on Khagrachhari violence and misidentification of victims’ religious identities.

August 2025

In August, The Insighta documented 15 major incidents of misinformation, propaganda, and communal targeting across India and Bangladesh. Nine originated in India, mainly involving attacks on Muslims and Christians and misleading narratives about Bangladesh, while six occurred in Bangladesh, amplified by pro-Hindutva networks.

The month revealed a clear pattern of fabricated stories inflaming communal tensions. False claims included a “Greater Bangladesh” map, alleged Jizya tax on Hindus in Natore, fake reports of killings in Rangpur, Khulna, and Rajshahi, and exaggerated allegations of mass rape of minority women. Most claims were later debunked by police, fact-checkers, and official sources.

In India, mob violence and intimidation continued alongside online disinformation. Muslim men were assaulted by cow vigilantes in West Bengal and Bajrang Dal members in Uttar Pradesh, while Christian worshippers in Bihar were attacked during Sunday prayers. In Assam, a maktab was demolished, and a Muslim teacher was threatened and labeled “Bangladeshi,” showing the overlap between communal profiling and state-backed actions.

Several incidents recycled old images and videos to falsely depict “communal violence” in Bangladesh, reinforcing narratives portraying the country as unsafe for Hindus. Indian media and political figures amplified misleading claims about cultural exhibitions, religious sites, women’s education, and visa or security threats.

July 2025

At least 16 major incidents affected minority communities across India and Bangladesh in July 2025. The month was marked by forced evictions, communal violence, cross-border deportations, and sustained misinformation, amplifying fear and instability.

In India, demolition drives in Assam displaced thousands of Bengali-speaking Muslims during peak monsoon, including 1,400 homes in Dhubri and earlier evictions affecting over 10,000 people. In Haryana, Muslim family homes were burned after “love jihad” allegations, while in Uttar Pradesh, Muslims faced pressure to dismantle a mosque and Eidgah following eviction notices amid Hindu nationalist agitation. Cross-border human rights concerns intensified. A Washington Post investigation revealed an Indian Muslim man was forcibly deported, blindfolded, and ordered at gunpoint to jump into the sea near Bangladesh, rendering him stateless. Human Rights Watch later criticized India for unlawfully deporting Bengali-speaking Muslims, many of whom were Indian citizens.

In Bangladesh, communal tensions flared in Rangpur, where mobs attacked and vandalized at least 14 Hindu homes after a controversial Facebook post by a teenager. Authorities confirmed outsiders were responsible, made arrests, and initiated state-led repairs.

June 2025

June 2025 also recorded at least 12 major incidents across India and Bangladesh, marked by ongoing religious violence, hate speech, forced deportations, and widespread misinformation, mainly targeting Muslim minorities.

In India, mob violence and cow vigilantism persisted. A Muslim man died in Madhya Pradesh after being beaten by cow vigilantes, and Muslim labourers in Jharkhand were attacked for refusing to chant religious slogans. Hate speech intensified, including open calls for violence against Muslims and Christians by Hindu religious leaders during Eid and viral speeches. Large-scale demolitions in Assam displaced over 700 Muslim households, creating severe humanitarian distress. State-led and forced deportations were also a concern. The Guardian reported that India was deporting Muslim citizens to Bangladesh at gunpoint, including elderly and disabled Indian nationals, under intensified policies across several states.

Alongside physical violence, misinformation about Bangladesh escalated. Personal disputes and administrative issues such as incidents at Tagore’s ancestral home, poet Atul Prasad Sen’s property, a barber shop dispute in Lalmonirhat, and a land issue in Dhaka’s Khilkhet were falsely portrayed by Indian media and pro-Hindutva platforms as Islamist attacks on Hindus. These claims were later debunked by Bangladeshi authorities, fact-checkers, and media corrections.

May 2025

May 2025 saw at least 12 major incidents documented by The Insighta, reflecting a sharp nationwide rise in anti-Muslim violence in India after the April 22 Pahalgam attack. In just two weeks following the attack, India Hate Lab documented 64 in-person hate speech incidents across 16 states, while the Association of Protection of Civil Rights recorded at least 184 hate crimes against Muslims between April 22 and May 8.

The month also witnessed forced pushbacks of Muslims and Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh. Between May 7 and 9, the BSF pushed back at least 280 people, followed by 14 Indian Muslim citizens despite protests that they were Indian nationals. On May 8, 40 UNHCR-registered Rohingya refugees were allegedly thrown into international waters near Myanmar.

Political and social hostility also intensified in the month. A BJP minister insulted a Muslim woman army officer, villages in Rajasthan displayed signboards banning Muslim entry, and a Muslim university professor was arrested for criticizing a military operation. Over 7,000 mostly Muslim homes were demolished in Ahmedabad, while Hindu houses were reportedly spared.

Mob violence continued as well. A Muslim youth was lynched in Haryana, Muslim men transporting meat were assaulted in Uttar Pradesh, a Muslim man was publicly humiliated in West Bengal, and a mosque site in Odisha was seized by Hindutva groups.

Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, an unrelated murder was falsely framed by Indian media as an Islamist attack, highlighting a growing pattern of cross-border misinformation.

Throughout 2025, religious minorities in India and Bangladesh faced steady pressure, violence, and fear. In India, many incidents involved mob attacks, hate speech by political and religious leaders, demolition drives, police action, and legal steps that mainly affected Muslims and Christians. Tensions also appeared in schools and colleges, and public calls for surveillance and control of religious spaces increased feelings of insecurity.

In Bangladesh, large-scale violence was less frequent, but serious risks remained. Mob violence based on religious allegations showed how quickly rumors could lead to death. At the same time, false stories and misleading claims spread widely, often from across the border, creating fear and damaging trust between communities.

About the Author

Mohammed Raihan is a staff contributor to The Insighta. He writes on history, culture, language, economy and geopolitics, uncovering untold narratives that connect the past and present. He can be reached at mohammed_raihan@theinsighta.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta’s editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

In November 2025, new cases of hate speech, pressure, communal tension, and misinformation against religious minorities were reported in both India and Bangladesh.

In India, the month saw strong calls for violence from Hindutva leaders, Christians being forced to give up and burn their holy books, the punishment of Muslim religious practices, and tougher actions by the state, including renaming places and filing legal cases. Major political and religious figures, including Tulika Sharma and Yati Narsinghanand, made openly hostile statements encouraging the use of weapons, government power, or even military action against minority communities. There were also cases of mob threats, police action against Muslim clerics, and symbolic moves by the state such as changing the name of Islampur to Ishwarpur that added to fear and exclusion.

In Bangladesh, meanwhile, organized misinformation continued to spread. Viral claims about armed groups and alleged attacks on religious sites were later found to be false. Fact-checks showed that many widely shared videos and reports, including claims about a militia being sent to Dhaka or a temple being burned in Kushtia, were based on wrong or old footage.

This Insighta report presents a total of eleven incidents that show November continued the regional pattern: the use of hate speech, pressure, and misleading information to increase communal tension, confuse the public, and harm peaceful relations between communities in India and Bangladesh.

Hindutva Leader Seeks “Five Minutes” from Center to Turn India into a Hindu Rashtra

November 3: Tulika Sharma, general secretary of the Vishwa Hindu Mahasangh (Bharat) called on the Indian government to grant “five minutes” of free rein to convert the country into a “Hindu Rashtra.”

The remarks were made during a mahayagna organized in Moradabad by the group, which claims to be working toward making India a nation “only for Hindus.”

“We want the government to give us five minutes (of permission to do anything). Each matri-shakti (mother-power) would take on 100 of them,” Sharma declared, in what was seen as a reference to the minority community. She also said that members of the outfit were learning to use weapons, adding, “I am myself learning sword fighting.”

Imam in India’s Uttar Pradesh Booked for Violating Noise Limits with Loudspeaker

November 3: Police in Shamli district, Uttar Pradesh, India have filed a case against Maulana Rafique Khan, the imam of a mosque in Ghumthal village, for allegedly exceeding the permissible volume levels while using a loudspeaker. The case was registered following multiple complaints from local residents regarding noise pollution.

According to the police, Khan had been warned several times to adhere to noise limits after receiving complaints about the mosque’s loudspeaker. However, the exact decibel level of the alleged violation was not disclosed.

India’s Maharashtra Government Renames Islampur to Ishwarpur Following Hindutva Activist’s Demand

November 4: Three months after announcing plans to rename Islampur city in Sangli district, the Maharashtra government issued a notification formalizing the change to “Ishwarpur.” The decision follows a demand by Hindutva activist Sambhaji Bhide, who has been a vocal advocate for the name change, according to a media report.

State Revenue Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule defended the renaming, stating that it was carried out in response to the “demands of the people.” He also said that MLA Gopichand Padalkar had repeatedly raised the issue, prompting Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to send a proposal to the Union Home Ministry, which was ultimately approved.

Three Muslim Men Convicted of Cow Slaughter in India’s Gujarat, Sentenced to Life Imprisonment

November 5: A sessions court in Amreli district, Gujarat, India convicted three Muslim men of cow slaughter under the Gujarat Animal Preservation Act, sentencing them to life imprisonment and imposing a collective fine of over ₹18 lakh, reports media.

This marks the first time in Gujarat that three individuals have received life sentences in a single cow-slaughter case.

Special Public Prosecutor Chandresh Mehta confirmed the historic nature of the sentence, highlighting that such a judgment has never been passed in the state before.

In response to the conviction, the Gujarat government issued a statement expressing its strong commitment to cow protection, asserting that the verdict demonstrates the state’s determination to take strict action against those who harm “Gaumata” (the cow mother).

Indian Media’s Claim of 9,000-Member Private Militia for Deployment in Dhaka Found False

November 8: India-based outlet Northeast News reported that a 9,000-member private militia led by adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan was being prepared for deployment in Dhaka between November 10 and 13, allegedly to counter the Awami League’s planned “Dhaka Lockdown” program.

However, verification by The Dissent, an investigative media, shows that the report by Northeast News is false.

The interim government has, however, introduced a self-defense and firearms training program for 9,000 youths, training has not yet begun; a BKSP notice states it will start on November 22. Adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan also clarified that the initiative is a pilot training project and that participants will not be armed or recruited into any force after completion.

Christians in Haryana Allegedly Forced to Burn Sacred Books by Mob in India’s Rohtak District

November 9: A viral video circulating on social media appears to show a group of Christian villagers in Rohtak district, Haryana, India being allegedly terrorised and coerced by a mob identifying with Hindutva groups. In the footage, members of the Christian community are seen surrounded by a crowd that reportedly abused them and pressured them to denounce their faith, reports media.

According to what is visible in the video, one individual in the mob can be heard calling the Christians “traitors” and describing their holy books as “dirt.” The group of villagers was allegedly compelled to verbally and in writing renounce their religion, with some stating under duress that they did not believe in the Bible or the Quran and would not permit anyone to keep such texts.

The video further shows a Christian man being handed a bottle of petrol and forced to set a Bible on fire, while members of the mob shouted slogans including “Jai Shri Ram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.” Authorities, however, have not yet issued an official statement on the incident, and verification of the circumstances surrounding the video is still pending.

Indian Priest Calls for Military Attack on Muslim Institutions in Hate Speech Video

November 13: Yati Narsinghanand Giri, the head priest (Mahant) of the Dasna Devi Temple in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh has issued a fresh inflammatory statement demanding military action against several Muslim educational institutions, including Al-Falah University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), and Darul Uloom Deoband, reports media.

In a video statement, Narsinghanand declared, “Terrorist dens like Al-Falah University, AMU, Jamia Millia, Darul Uloom Deoband should be blown up with cannons by sending in the army.”

Man Arrested for Hate Speech in Karnataka, India

November 15: A 49-year-old man, Ratnakar Ameen, was arrested in Moodanidambur village (Udupi taluk) after allegedly giving a provocative, communal speech during a protest organized by Hindu Jagarana Vedike.

Charges include “promoting enmity between groups” under relevant penal provisions.

According to Mangalore Today, he was arrested at Mangaluru Central railway station by a special police team.

Viral Claim of Temple Arson in Bangladesh’s Kushtia Found to Be False

November 17: A video circulating on social media claims that a mob of “Touhidi Janata” set fire to a temple in Kushtia over allegations of religious insult. Fact check shows the footage is not recent and does not show any temple. It is actually from a fire that occurred on 19 October 2025 at Alipur Badamtala Bazar in Satkhira.

A reverse image search links the viral clip to a Jamuna TV report published the same day, which matches the footage exactly. According to Jamuna Television, a fire broke out in several shops around 3:30 PM and was later brought under control by the Fire Service. Other national outlets also covered the incident.

Chhattisgarh High Court Rejects Plea Over Hate Speech

November 21: The Chhattisgarh High Court dismissed a writ petition seeking immediate arrest and court-monitored investigation into multiple alleged hate speech cases against Amit Baghel, president of the Johar Chhattisgarh Party (JCP).

The petition sought more aggressive action, but the court declined, pointing to judicial limits / lack of immediate cause for such extraordinary directives.

Bangladesh Defends Google Takedown Requests, Citing Misinformation and Communal Threats

November 28: the Bangladeshi government clarified (via a public statement) that many of its content takedown requests to Google were not for purely political criticism, but specifically for misinformation, “propaganda-based character assassination,” and content that threatened communal harmony.

The government stated that there was a “highly undesirable level of misinformation campaigns” in early to mid-2025, from inside and outside the country.

The statement linked some of these misinformation campaigns to efforts to target “religious, racial, and ethnic groups online and offline,” underlining a concern about communal targeting.

About the Author

Mohammed Raihan is a staff contributor to The Insighta. He writes on history, culture, language, economy and geopolitics, uncovering untold narratives that connect the past and present. He can be reached at mohammed_raihan@theinsighta.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta’s editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

In October 2025, at least eleven incidents of hate speech, violence, and misinformation targeting religious minorities were found in India and Bangladesh.

In India, incidents included denial of Christian burial rights, mob vandalism, arrests of two journalists, and hate remarks by top leaders like Amit Shah, Raghvendra Pratap Singh, and Pushkar Singh Dhami. A Muslim girl was also attacked after her remarks on cow slaughter went viral.

In Bangladesh, several misleading claims circulated online, including reports alleging the murder of a Hindu policewoman, madrasa students chanting anti-Hindu slogans, and Dr. Muhammad Yunus presenting a “Greater Bangladesh” flag. Another widely shared video, purportedly showing a Hindu youth killed by Muslims, was later verified to have originated in Nepal.

This Insighta report highlights how hate, misinformation, and propaganda in October were used to fuel communal division and damage peaceful relations between religious communities in both countries.

Christians Stripped of Burial Rights in India’s Chhattisgarh

October 5: Over 400 villagers from 22 villages in India’s Chhattisgarh gathered to oppose Christian practices, deciding to deny Christians access to burial land over concerns about rising conversions, according to a report.

The gathering also discussed church demolitions and excluding Christians from forest land. Chhattisgarh now ranks second in India for Christian persecution, with Kanker becoming a hotspot for rising anti-Christian actions.

Hindutva Mob Vandalizes Muslim Locality in India’s Cuttack After Communal Clashes

October 6: Around 6,000 Hindutva men, many wearing saffron shawls and wielding bamboo sticks, stormed Dargah Bazaar, a Muslim-majority area, vandalizing shops, vehicles, and public property, reports local media.

The violence followed tensions from an October 4 Durga idol immersion. Locals alleged that during the procession, DJ music was blasted near a Dargah and lewd comments were made toward a Muslim girl. Confrontations escalated after some participants allegedly urinated on the Dargah walls.

Journalists Booked After Reporting Doctor’s Denial to Treat Muslim Woman

October 7: Two journalists, Mayank Srivastava and Mohammed Usman, were booked after reporting claims that a doctor at a women’s hospital in Jaunpur refused to treat a pregnant Muslim woman due to her religion.

The woman, Shama Parveen, alleged the doctor told her, “I will not treat a Muslim woman,” and denied her entry to the operating room. The claim went viral via video.

Hospital authorities denied the accusation and alleged the journalists entered the labour room and filmed her without permission, leading to police cases against them.

Amit Shah Links Rise in Muslim Population to “Large-Scale Infiltration”

October 10: Union Home Minister of India Amit Shah claimed that the increase in India’s Muslim population was not due to fertility rates but because of “large-scale infiltration.”

Speaking at a lecture titled “Infiltration, Demographic Change and Democracy” organized by Dainik Jagran, Shah said that the Muslim population in the country had “increased at a rate of 24.6%, while the Hindu population had decreased by 4.5%.”

False Claims of Communal Motive in Sirajganj Murder Debunked

October 11: False claims were circulated on social media suggesting that the murder of Anna Rani, a village police officer in Sirajganj, was a communal attack because she was Hindu. Accounts like Voice of Hindu and news portal Bangladesh Insight alleged the killing was part of a wider “wave of communal persecution” in Bangladesh.

However, police confirmed the murder had no communal motive. The accused, Tapas Das, also a Hindu, confessed under Section 164 to killing Anna Rani after she rejected his immoral advances.

BJP Leader Urges Hindu Youths to Kidnap Muslim Girls, Offer Jobs

October 16: BJP’s former MLA and Hindu Yuva Vahini State In-charge Raghvendra Pratap Singh urged Hindu men to kidnap at least 10 Muslim girls, promising them food, jobs, and marriage support as rewards.

The remarks were made during a public rally in Dumariyaganj, Siddharth Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh.

“Jo leke aayega, usko naukri, roji roti bhi dilayange (Whosoever brings them, they would be given a job and their livelihood would be taken care of),” Singh was heard saying.

Uttarakhand CM Targets Muslims as “Land Jihadis” Vows Crackdown on Madrasas and Conversions

October 18: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami claimed his government had reclaimed over 9,000 acres of land from what he called “land jihadis” during a speech at a BJP office inauguration in Roorkee.

Dhami said that over 250 illegal madrasas had been sealed, 500+ illegal structures demolished, and efforts were ongoing. He warned against occupying land by “placing green, blue, or red sheets over it.”

He also announced ‘Operation Kalanemi’, aimed at identifying imposters posing as Hindu seers to “defame Sanatan Dharma.” In addition, the government plans to abolish the Uttarakhand Madrasa Board under the Minority Education Act.

False Claims of Anti-Hindu Slogans by Madrasa Students in Bangladesh

October 22: A video circulating on social media claiming that students of Hathazari Madrasa in Chattogram were chanting slogans against Hindus in India.

According to a fact-check, the madrasa shown in the viral clip was not Hathazari Madrasa, and that the video had been digitally altered by adding a false audio track.

The visuals were traced back to a February 2022 video from a madrasa in Noakhali, originally shared by a Facebook account named ‘Nobodigonto’ on February 8, 2022.

Indian Media Misreports “Greater Bangladesh” Flag Gift

October 27: Several Indian outlets, including India Today, incorrectly reported that Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, had gifted Pakistan’s General Sahir Shamshad Mirza a flag depicting Bangladesh merged with India’s Northeast region.

In reality, Dr. Yunus presented The Art of Triumph, a graffiti-based art book created by students during the July 2024 Uprising and published by the July Memorial Foundation. The book’s cover features a blood-red graffiti map of Bangladesh behind Shaheed Abu Sayed, a martyr of the uprising, not an altered map.

Independent fact-checks confirmed that the artwork accurately represents Bangladesh’s actual map and that the circulating claims were baseless. Dr. Yunus had previously presented the same book to the UN Secretary-General, U.S. President Joe Biden, and other world leaders.

Hindutva Groups Assault Muslim Girl, Harass Mother For Beef Remark

October 27: A 17-year-old Muslim girl was attacked, and her mother harassed by Hindutva groups in Tulsi Niketan, Ghaziabad, after the girl’s comments about slaughtering cows went viral on social media, reports media.

According to the media report, in a YouTube interview, the girl said she would eat beef after slaughtering cows, which quickly spread online, sparking outrage.

The Hindu Raksha Dal, a Hindutva outfit, accused her of making offensive statements about Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, further fueling online anger.

Soon after, a mob led by local Hindutva activists gathered outside her home, shouting abuses and threatening her mother, creating a climate of fear and intimidation in the area.

Hindu Youth Beaten to Death by Muslims in Bangladesh Found False

October 28: A viral video claimed that a young Hindu man linked to ISKCON was beaten to death by Muslims in Bangladesh. Fact-checks show this claim is completely false. The video is actually from Nepal, not Bangladesh.

It shows a protest related to the Gen-Z movement that took place in September 2025. A longer version of the same video was posted on the Facebook pageGen Z Nepal on September 9, with the caption describing the man being beaten as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) who had allegedly ordered police firing on protesters the previous day.

About the Author:

Mohammed Raihan is a staff contributor to the Insighta. He writes on history, culture, language, economy and geopolitics, uncovering untold narratives that connect the past and present. He can be reached at mohammed_raihan@theinsighta.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta’s editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

From fabricated reports of communal killings in Chattogram and Khulna, to recycled images of idol vandalism in Joypurhat, to false claims about hijab slogans at Dhaka University, September 2025 recorded 15 notable cases of disinformation and hate-driven propaganda in Bangladesh and India. In Bangladesh, misleading communal narratives spread through false reports and recycled incidents, while across the border, extremist rhetoric, hate-driven campaigns, and violent attacks by groups like Bajrang Dal further deepened mistrust.

This Insighta report examines how these cases of propaganda, false claims, and inflammatory narratives were strategically weaponized throughout the month. By tracing incidents from both countries, it highlights how disinformation and hate speech were used to distort reality, polarize communities, and advance political agendas across the subcontinent.

False Communal Claim on Woman’s Suicide in Chattogram

September 4: Several Hindutva-linked accounts claimed a Hindu woman in Chattogram, Bangladesh died due to Muslim harassment or murder.

Police and media investigations confirmed that the woman’s death was the result of suicide following a family dispute. CCTV footage captured her writing a note before taking her life, while officers recovered a diary containing the suicide note, later verified by national outlets. Authorities ruled out any communal motives or foul play.

False Claim of Minority Killing in Khulna

September 8: Social media posts alleging that a Hindu woman in Khulna was killed over a cow dispute as part of minority persecution have been debunked. Fact-checks reveal that both the victim and the accused belonged to the same Hindu community and were engaged in a land dispute. The woman died after being assaulted during the altercation, with investigators confirming it was a local conflict rather than an incident of communal violence.

Hindutva pages misrepresent ‘Hijab’ Slogans at Dhaka University

September 10: Several Hindutva-linked pages, including Hindu Voice, circulated a video alleging that Muslim students at Dhaka University demanded mandatory hijab, framing it as a “direct threat” to Hindu girls. Fact-checkers, however, have confirmed the claim to be false.

Fact-checker Shohanur Rahman clarified that the chants of “Hijab, Hijab” at Dhaka University were not calls to impose a dress code, but a show of solidarity following the landslide victory of DUCSU executive member Sabikun Nahar Tamanna, who wears the hijab and niqab. Rahman noted that during her campaign, one of Tamanna’s photos was maliciously distorted online, an act widely viewed as targeted hatred against hijabi-niqabi women. Students raised the slogan after her win as a response to that hostility, he explained.

Crime Statistics Misrepresented as Anti-Hindu Violence in Bangladesh

September 10: A screenshot of a Bangladeshi news headline, translated into English as “2,616 murders in 8 months, 15,000 women and children abused: Interim Government,” circulated on X with captions such as, “Finally they admitted – what’s happening against Hindus in Bangladesh. #SaveBangladeshiHindus.” The posts misleadingly framed the statistics as evidence of violence against Hindus.

Fact-checks, however, show the figures represent nationwide crime data between 2020 and August 2025, encompassing all communities rather than targeting any specific group.

Indian Hindutva Priest Calls for Hindu-Only Nation

September 11: A video has emerged of Hindutva leader Yati Narsinghanand urging the establishment of a “Hindu-only nation” and calling for the removal of mosques, madrasas, and Muslims.

Addressing a gathering of saffron-clad men, Narsinghanand claimed: “Christians have over 100 countries, Muslims have 57, and Jews have one. We are 100 crore Hindus with not even one state.”

Indian MP Tharoor Said Shibir’s DUCSU Win a Worrying Portent

September 12: Indian Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has described the sweeping victory of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami’s student wing in the Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU) polls as a “worrying portent” for India, noting it marks the first Islamist control of the body since 1971.

In an opinion piece for NDTV, Tharoor wrote: “For many, it’s just a student election in a foreign country. But for New Delhi, this is not just a blip, it is a worrying portent of things to come, a political tremor whose aftershocks could soon be felt on our side of the border.”

Responding to Tharoor’s remarks, Sarba Mitra Chakma, an ethnic and religious minority student elected as an executive member from the Shibir-backed panel, dismissed the concerns. “Bangladesh has nothing to fear. Neither does India if it does not have any nefarious intentions,” Chakma said. He noted that Muslim students had overwhelmingly supported his candidacy and argued, “Lynching people for religious differences is extremely rare in Bangladesh, unlike in India.”

Chakma rejected portrayals of Shibir’s victory as Islamist, claiming Tharoor’s warnings echoed ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s narrative aimed at delegitimizing democratic choices. He also invited Tharoor to visit Dhaka University and explain “why their democratic choice worries him and, by extension, the Indian establishment.”

Bajrang Dal Attacks Christians in India’s Chhattisgarh

September 14: Bajrang Dal activists, led by Jyoti Sharma, allegedly stormed the Shilo Prayer Tower in Durg, accusing Christian evangelists of conducting forced conversions. Witnesses said the pastor was assaulted with an iron rod before police intervened.

Congregants reported that the mob attacked them without provocation, while Bajrang Dal leaders countered that their workers, including women, were assaulted first. Police confirmed receiving complaints from both sides and said an investigation is underway.

BJP Assam Posts AI-Generated Video Targeting Muslims

September 15: A video posted on the official X account of BJP Assam has drawn outrage, with critics accusing the party of vilifying Muslims and fueling communal hatred.

The AI-generated clip portrays Muslims as illegal immigrants grabbing government land. Many condemned it as inflammatory and dangerous.

Imam Assaulted for Refusing to Chant ‘Jai Shri Ram’ in India

September 20: An imam in Uttar Pradesh’s Aligarh district was allegedly assaulted and told to “go to Pakistan” after refusing to chant “Jai Shri Ram.”

The incident took place in Bulakgarhi village under Lodha police station, according to media reports, when Mohammed Mustakeem was returning home after conducting Urdu classes for local children.

Mumbai Manhole Theft Falsely Linked to Bangladeshi

September 23: A video circulating on social media claimed that a Bangladeshi man, Sheikh Nazrul, was caught stealing manhole covers in Mumbai, with users alleging that Bangladeshis were damaging India’s economy.

However, investigations by The Dissent and Times Now identified the suspect as Amarjit Kamati, a local resident of Andheri West, who was arrested on August 29. Police confirmed no Bangladeshi national was involved, debunking the viral claim.

False Claim of Idol Vandalism in Joypurhat

September 24: Ahead of Durga Puja, Facebook posts claimed idols were vandalized in Joypurhat.

Fact-checks confirm the photos are old, first shared in September 2021 after two temples in Shuktahar, Joypurhat were attacked. Media reports from 2021 confirmed police arrested Shamsul Alam Mondol (alias Lal Babu, 35) in that case.

Misleading Claim About A Raped Hindu girl in Bangladesh

September 25: A post circulating on social media claimed that schoolgirl Purnima Das was recently raped and murdered in Satkhira, alleging that Hindu women are being targeted in Bangladesh.

Fact-checking shows the incident actually occurred on September 23, 2021. At the time, it was widely reported in the media. Police arrested Purnima’s boyfriend, Partha Mandal, a Hindu man, who was the sole accused. He reportedly lured, raped, and strangled her, then tried to flee to India. No other individuals were involved in the incident.

False Claim of Muslims Praying in a Bangladesh Temple

September 27: A Facebook video claimed Muslims were offering prayers inside a Hindu temple in Bangladesh.

Verification shows the video is from the Lat Bhairav temple premises in Varanasi, India, where Ramleela takes place on one side and Muslims pray on the other as part of a tradition of communal harmony. Indian media Amar Ujala and local news accounts confirmed this annual practice.

India Today’s Misleading Report on Khagrachhari Violence

September 29: India Today falsely claimed the Bangladesh Army fired on Hindus and Buddhists protesting rape and temple attacks.

In reality, the clashes in Khagrachhari stemmed from protests over a rape allegation, with blockades and stone-pelting leading to violence between protesters and security forces.

A medical test found “no signs of rape” in the Marma girl. Besides, no Hindu or Buddhist temples were attacked, nor did the Army fire on religious minorities, according to fact-check.

Dead Muslim Woman Misrepresented as Hindu in Bangladesh

September 29: Police recovered the body of a young woman from a rented house in Maijdee, Noakhali, sparking false claims on Facebook that the victim was a Hindu woman named Sumi Rani.

Investigations later confirmed the deceased as Sadia Israt, also known as Mim, a Muslim. According to a report in Prothom Alo, she had married for love and moved into the rented house with her husband about a month earlier.

About the Author:

Mohammed Raihan is a staff contributor to the Insighta. He writes on history, culture, language, economy and geopolitics, uncovering untold narratives that connect the past and present. He can be reached at mohammed_raihan@theinsighta.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta’s editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

In August 2025, at least 15 incidents of false claims, propaganda, and communal targeting were recorded across India and Bangladesh. Nine of these came from India, mostly involving attacks on Muslims and Christians, along with misleading stories about Bangladesh. Six incidents were reported inside Bangladesh, but many of them were pushed and amplified by pro-Hindutva networks across the border.

A clear pattern can be seen. Stories were twisted or made up, such as a “Greater Bangladesh” map, a fake Jizya tax in Natore, or false reports of communal killings in Rangpur. In India, mob violence against minorities often went hand in hand with online misinformation that tried to show Bangladesh as unsafe for Hindus. The goal in both cases was the same: to spread fear, create division, and use religion as a political weapon.

This Insighta report looks closely at each case from August 2025. By checking facts and exposing fabrications, it shows how disinformation is being used on both sides of the border to push agendas and stir communal tensions.

India Spreads Propaganda About Historical Exhibition in Bangladesh

On August 1, reports in Indian media alleged that a Dhaka-based group, Saltanat-e-Bangla, backed by a Turkish NGO, was circulating a “Greater Bangladesh” map including parts of India and Myanmar. India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also said, “The government has taken note of an Islamic group in Dhaka, ‘Saltanat-e-Bangla’, which is backed by a Turkish NGO called the 'Turkish Youth Federation', that has put out a map of the so-called ‘Greater Bangladesh’ that includes parts of India.”

However, investigations reveal no evidence of such a group or political agenda. The map was part of a cultural exhibition at Dhaka University on 14 April 2025, organized by the Center for Bengal Studies, showcasing Bengal’s historical territorial extent. Organizers and fact-checkers confirm it was purely educational and not linked to foreign influence or territorial claims.

False Jizya Claim in Natore, Bangladesh

On August 2, pro-Hindutva accounts shared a video claiming Hindus in Singra, Natore were tortured by “Islamist jihadis” for refusing to pay Jizya tax. Fact-checking shows the incident occurred in Motgram, Lalor Union, Singra and stemmed from a land dispute, not religious extremism. Victim Binoy Sarker reported that Awami League leader Md. Nazrul Islam and his family tried to grab their land, leading to an attack on August 1 that left several people injured. Police arrested Nazrul Islam, confirmed legal action, and clarified no link to Jizya tax or jihadi activities.

Muslim Men Assaulted by Cow Vigilantes in India’s West Bengal

On August 2, two Muslim men transporting cattle for farming were allegedly beaten, tied up, and humiliated by Hindutva vigilantes led by BJP youth leader Parijat Ganguly in Durgapur, West Bengal, reports media. Despite showing valid documents, the cattle were forcefully released, and money and papers were reportedly snatched.

Viral Video of “Hindu Land Seizure” in Bangladesh Found Misleading

On August 2, a viral video claimed Hindus in Bangladesh were forcibly dispossessed of land, amplified by Indian outlets like Sanatan Prabhat. Fact-checking shows the incident occurred in Kashipara, Nasirnagar, Brahmanbaria, and stemmed from a longstanding land dispute between the Nazrul and Das families, not communal violence. Minor confrontation over renovation work was recorded, but no serious violence or casualties occurred. Police confirmed it was a private civil dispute under court consideration.

False Claims About Hindu Man’s Murder in Bangladesh

On August 4, social media posts claimed Montu Chandra Das, a Hindu man from Barisal, Bangladesh was murdered by radical Islamists in retaliation for filing a case against a Jamaat-e-Islami leader after his daughter’s rape. Investigations reveal the claims were false. Montu Das’s daughter was abducted and raped on 5 March 2025; the primary accused, Srijib Chandra Ray, a Hindu man, was arrested the same day. Montu Das was found murdered on 11 March 2025, and police investigations indicate family members of the rape accused were involved. Four individuals, including Srijib’s father, have been arrested.

Bajrang Dal Mob Assaults Muslim Man in India’s Uttar Pradesh

On August 5, in Kasganj, Uttar Pradesh, Bajrang Dal members brutally attacked a Muslim man, Altaf Hasnain, accusing him of supplying beef along the Kanwar Yatra route, reports media. A viral video shows the mob surrounding Hasnain, repeatedly beating him with sticks while voices encouraged the assault.

Viral Video Claiming “Bangladeshi March in Assam” Found False

On August 7, a video claimed illegal Bangladeshi immigrants were marching in Assam’s Goalpara to attack officials and police. Fact-checking shows the footage was misattributed, originally posted by Jago News 24 on 1 July 2025, documenting a clash between two BNP factions in Kishoreganj, Bangladesh.

False Claims of Communal Violence in Khulna, Bangladesh

On August 7, several posts claimed Hindus were attacked in Shiali, Rupsa, Khulna. Fact-checking found the images were from 7 August 2021, when miscreants attacked temples and Hindu-owned properties in Shiali; 10 people were arrested. Recent posts misrepresent this as a current communal attack.

Viral Image of “Attack on Santal Village in Rajshahi” Found Misleading

On August 8, a social media image claimed to show an attack on a Santal village in Rajshahi, with looting and vandalism. Fact-checking reveals the image was almost four years old, originally from the August 2021 attacks on Hindu-owned shops, houses, and temples in Shiali, Rupsha, Khulna. The claim linking it to a recent Rajshahi attack is false.

Bajrang Dal Attacks Christian Worshippers in India’s Bihar

On August 10, in India’s Bihar, Bajrang Dal members allegedly attacked 40–45 people gathered for a Sunday prayer on 10 August, reports media.

Around 30–40 men, some armed with iron rods, sticks, and pistols, assaulted worshippers, injuring at least 10. Police have launched an investigation.

Maktab Demolished in Assam, Muslim Teacher Threatened

On August 10, in India’s Assam, Shahin Alam, a carpenter, muazzin, and teacher at a maktab, was threatened by a group questioning why he had opened the school, according to a media report. They demanded his Aadhaar card and called him “a proper Bangladeshi.” The group later returned with a bulldozer and police, demolishing the maktab.

Video of Aircraft Built by Bangladeshi Man Falsely Attributed to Indian Teen

On August 12, a video circulating on social media claimed that a teenager, Avnish Kumar from Bihar, India, built a single-seater aircraft in one week for ₹7,000 (USD 79). AFP verification found this is false: the man in the video is from Bangladesh and personally confirmed he built the plane.

Video Claiming Ban on Women’s Education in Bangladesh Found False

On August 14, a video claimed that women’s education is prohibited in Bangladesh, linking it to “Talibanization”. Fact-checking and media reports show the footage was misrepresented. The incident occurred on 27 October 2024 at Sir Salimullah Medical College, Dhaka, when a 22-year-old man, Zubair Ilahi, entered a lecture hall with a stick, creating panic. Police were called but he fled before arrival. The video had no connection to any ban on women’s education.

False Claim of Communal Killing in Rangpur

On August 17, the pro-Hindutva account Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus claimed that two children in Rangpur had lost their father in a communal attack. However, verification shows the claim is false. The photo actually comes from Bhola, where their father, Bikash Das, a barber, died of a stroke. Relatives later circulated the children’s photo to seek financial assistance. His cousin confirmed that the family’s appeal was genuine but unrelated to any communal violence.

Chandranath Hill Mosque Construction Rumors Denied

On August 20, several Indian media outlets, including OpIndia, reported that Sitakunda’s Chandranath Temple in Chattogram, Bangladesh, was under threat of encroachment, alleging that Islamists were reclassifying the Hindu pilgrimage site as a “tourist spot” to facilitate the construction of mosques and prayer halls. Bangladesh’s Religious Affairs Advisor, AFM Khalid Hossain, dismissed the claims, calling such construction “out of the question” and confirming that no such initiative has been undertaken.

False Claim of 342 Rapes of Minority Women in Bangladesh

On August 26, several Indian media outlets and pro-Hindutva accounts claimed that 342 Hindu and minority women had been raped in Bangladesh within 90 days. A fact-check found the claim to be false. According to rights group Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), 342 rape cases were reported nationwide between January and April 2025. The report does not specify the victims’ religion and spans four months, not 90 days.

About the Author:

Mohammed Raihan is a staff contributor to the Insighta. He writes on history, culture, language, economy and geopolitics, uncovering untold narratives that connect the past and present. He can be reached at mohammed_raihan@theinsighta.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

জুলাই ২০২৫-এ ভারত ও বাংলাদেশে অন্তত ১৬টি সংখ্যালঘু নির্যাতনের ঘটনা ঘটে। যার মধ্যে রয়েছে আসামে মুসলিম উচ্ছেদ ও রংপুরে হিন্দু বাড়িতে হামলা। এর সঙ্গে অপতথ্য ও রাষ্ট্রীয় নিপীড়ন সংখ্যালঘু সংকটকে নতুন মাত্রা দিয়েছে। এই প্রতিবেদনে ঘটনাগুলোকে তুলে ধরা হয়েছে।

July 2025 saw a surge in incidents impacting minority communities in both India and Bangladesh, with at least 16 major events reported. Eight took place in Bangladesh, six in India, and two spanned both countries. These incidents ranged from violent attacks to forced evictions and waves of misinformation, creating fear and instability across the region.

In Assam, India, mass demolition drives displaced hundreds of Bengali-speaking Muslims, leaving many families homeless during peak monsoon conditions. Meanwhile in Bangladesh’s Rangpur, mobs attacked and vandalized at least 14 Hindu homes following an alleged Facebook post by a Hindu teenager that was accused of defaming Prophet Muhammad (SM).

This month’s Insighta report looks at these events, particularly how various state and non-state actors, including sections of the media, have framed the stories of minority persecution from different angles. In some cases, these narratives have fueled tensions, while in others they have misrepresented facts, further deepening the challenges faced by vulnerable minority communities.

Indian Media Circulates Unverified Allegations on Bangladesh–Pakistan-Turkey Ties

July 6: Several Indian media outlets, including India.com and News18, spread unverified claims of a Bangladesh–Turkey–Pakistan alliance backing an “anti-India doctrine.” They accused Turkey of arming Jamaat-e-Islami and supporting a secessionist “Saltanat-e-Bangla.” Bangladesh strongly denied the allegations; official sources clarified that drone photos and the so-called “Greater Bangladesh” map were misinterpreted and part of a historical exhibit.

Communal Murder Claim in Habiganj Debunked

July 7: A viral claim from “Voice of Bangladeshi Hindu” falsely alleged that 16-year-old Jony Das was killed by Islamic extremists for protesting Hindu persecution. However, police investigations and media reports revealed the boy died while confronting a thief during a break-in. The suspect, Saju Mia, confessed to the stabbing.

Muslim Family Homes Burned in ‘Love Jihad’ Backlash in India

July 7: Following reports of a Muslim youth eloping with a Hindu girl, two homes belonging to a Muslim family were set ablaze in Dhani Mahu village, Bhiwani District, Haryana. The incident was widely circulated on social media under the “love jihad” label. Police investigations are ongoing.

Propaganda Mislabels Protest Deaths as Jihadist Killings

July 8: Hindutva disinformation pages falsely claimed that nine Hindus were killed by jihadists during protests in Bangladesh. In reality, the victims died during violent police and Awami League party crackdowns on protesters during the July Uprising in 2024.

Assam Bulldozes 1,400 Homes of Bengali-Speaking Muslims in Dhubri

July 8: Another major eviction drive occurred in Dhubri, Assam, where 1,400 homes were demolished for a power project. District authorities cited encroachment, but the displaced, mainly Bengali-speaking Muslims, claimed generational ties to the land. Over 10,000 people have been affected.

Mosque and Eidgah Demolished in Uttar Pradesh Amid Protests

July 9: In India’s Kushinagar district, local Muslims began dismantling the Gadhiya Masjid and Eidgah themselves after eviction notices were issued. Hindu nationalist groups, including Sanatani Sena, had agitated for the removal. Officials warned of bulldozer action if the site wasn’t vacated.

False Missing Person Report in Bangladesh Debunked

July 10: Propaganda sources falsely claimed that Bhumika Mondal, a Hindu woman in Bangladesh, was missing and that no FIR was filed due to her religion. In reality, Bhumika left home for personal reasons and was found safe the same day in Cox’s Bazar.

Indian Muslim man recounts being tossed into the sea

July 11: A Washington Post investigation reveals a disturbing case involving Hasan Shah, a Muslim man from India, who was forcibly taken from his home by Indian police in late April. Shah was bound, blindfolded, and put on a boat to Bangladesh. After three days at sea, the officers reportedly ordered him at gunpoint, "Jump into the water. If you look back, we'll shoot you."

Shah managed to escape, swimming to safety, and was later rescued by the Bangladeshi coast guard. He is now stranded in Bangladesh, effectively stateless, after his Indian citizenship documents were seized. Separated from his wife and four children, Shah's family now faces hardship as they depend on his meager income as a waste picker.

Muslim Man Misidentified as Hindu by Indian Media

July 13: Following the murder of Md Sohag (alias Lal Chand) in Dhaka, several Indian media outlets including NDTV and WION falsely reported him as Hindu. In reality, Sohag was a Muslim businessman. He was beaten to death near Mitford Hospital and buried in Barguna following Janazah.

False Missing Claim of a Hindu Woman Circulated Online

July 14: A viral post falsely claimed a Hindu mother of two had been missing in Bangladesh. She was later found safe in Cox’s Bazar, with family confirming a history of mental health issues.

Disinformation Uses Image of Muslim Child in Murder Claim

July 15: Indian right-wing pages falsely used an image of a murdered Muslim girl, Roza Moni, to allege the killing of a Hindu child. Roza, aged six, had been missing for five days before being found dead in Kishoreganj.

Indian Media Falsely Reports Islamist Attack in Gopalganj

July 16: The Economic Times wrongly claimed an Islamist attack targeted Awami League supporters in Gopalganj, Bangladesh. Verified reports show the violence was instigated by ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League and Chhatra League activists who attacked a convoy of the National Citizen Party. Four were killed, and a misleading photo from 2024 protests was used to support the false narrative.

India Criticized for Unlawful Deportation of Bengali Muslims

India continues deporting Bengali-speaking Muslims to Bangladesh, many of whom are Indian citizens, by falsely labeling them as illegal immigrants, according to a Human Rights Watch report published on July 23. The organization condemned the expulsions. Bangladeshi border guards have returned at least 200 individuals after verifying their Indian citizenship.

Indian Media Spreads Misinformation on Bangladesh-Pakistan Visa Deal

July 25: Several Indian media outlets, including The Daily Jagran, India Today, and NDTV, circulated misleading claims suggesting that Bangladesh and Pakistan have agreed on a "visa-free entry" deal, raising concerns over ISI infiltration.

However, official statements from Bangladesh and credible local news sources confirm that no such agreement exists. The current discussions only involve potential on-arrival visas for diplomatic and official passport holders—a common diplomatic norm.

Hindu Homes Attacked in Rangpur After Teen’s Derogatory Facebook Post

July 26: A 17-year-old boy from Rangpur’s Gangachara upazila was arrested for allegedly posting derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad (SM) on Facebook, reports local media.

Following the post, mobs attacked and vandalised at least 14 Hindu homes in Aldadpur Balapara village.

One affected local told the media: “We couldn’t recognize anyone. Outsiders came and carried out the attack.”

Another added, “There are 17 Muslims in our neighborhood—they would never do such a thing. It was outsiders who caused this incident.”

After visiting the area, Rangpur Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Rabiul Faisal, said 19 out of 22 affected families have remained at home, while three, including the accused Ranjan Kumar Roy’s family, are staying with relatives.

He confirmed that house repairs will begin immediately under joint district and upazila efforts.

Superintendent of Police Md Abu Saim said that those responsible are being identified and will face legal action.

About the Author:

Mohammed Raihan is a staff contributor to the Insighta. He writes on history, culture, language, economy and geopolitics, uncovering untold narratives that connect the past and present. He can be reached at mohammed_raihan@theinsighta.com

২০২৫ সালের জুন মাসে ভারত ও বাংলাদেশে সংখ্যালঘু মুসলিমদের বিরুদ্ধে সহিংসতা, বিদ্বেষমূলক বক্তব্য এবং মিথ্যা প্রচার প্রকট আকার ধারণ করেছে। ধর্ম ও গণমাধ্যম কীভাবে রাজনৈতিক অস্ত্র হয়ে উঠছে, এই প্রতিবেদন তুলে ধরা হয়েছে সেই বাস্তবতা।

In June 2025, South Asia witnessed a continuation of religious violence, fake news, and political messaging that mainly targeted Muslim minorities. In India, there were mob attacks, hate speeches by religious leaders, and forced deportations of Muslims to Bangladesh.

At the same time, some Indian media were alleged to spread false stories about events in Bangladesh, claiming attacks on Hindus. These included reports about Tagore’s ancestral home and poet Atul Prasad Sen’s property.

This month’s Insighta report brings together these key events to show what really happened and how religion and media are being used to spread fear, hatred, and political agendas.

Muslim man beaten by cow vigilantes dies in India’s Madhya Pradesh

June 5: Two Muslim men were brutally assaulted by a group of cow vigilantes in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district while allegedly transporting cows, reports media.

The mob filmed the attack and shared it on social media. Both victims were hospitalized in critical condition. Junaid, one of the victims, died on June 17 after nearly two weeks on life support while Arman remains critical. However, the victim’s family claimed that he was transporting the cows for dairy, not for slaughtering.

Hindutva mob assaults Muslim labourers in India’s Jharkhand

June 6: Three Muslim labourers were brutally attacked by a mob of over 30 people, allegedly affiliated with Hindutva groups in Ranchi, Jharkhand, reports media.

The assault reportedly occurred after the men returned from prayer and were taking a lunch break. According to the victims’ account, the mob questioned their identity, and upon learning they were Muslims, ordered them to leave. When they refused to chant “Jai Shri Ram,” the mob became violent.

More than black and white—A Hindu's story from Bangladesh

June 11: Indian media outlet The Wire published a short documentary titled “Being Hindu in Bangladesh is Not a Black and White Story” which tells the personal story of Deepak Kumar Goswami, a well-known actor from Bangladesh who is Hindu. He talks about what it’s really like to live as a Hindu in Bangladesh, a Muslim majority country.

Deepak shows that life in Bangladesh for Hindus isn’t just good or bad—it’s more complex than what some Indian media shows. In the documentary, Deepak criticizes the Indian media for spreading propaganda after Hasina fled to India, questioning whether it truly supports Hindus or serves Hasina’s interests.

He rejects the portrayal of the July 2024 uprising as an Islamist movement, pointing out that Hindus, including himself, also opposed Hasina—a fact ignored by the Indian media.

Hindutva leader openly calls for violence against Muslims during Eid in India

During Eid-ul-Azha celebrations in Mathura’s Barsana area, tensions flared after alleged cow remains were found near an Idgah. Hindu groups, claiming illegal cow slaughter, stormed the area, leading police to register a case against over 70 individuals.

Tensions escalated following a speech by Hindutva leader Indresh Kaushik, in which he made inflammatory remarks toward Muslims. He said if Muslims don’t stop, they will tear off their caps and beards, and that they are ready for war. The remarks sparked concern within the local Muslim community.

A petty incident at Tagore’s ancestral home in Bangladesh framed as communal attack

June 8: A misunderstanding over a parking ticket led to an altercation between an on-duty employee and a visitor at Rabindra Kachari Bari, a popular tourist destination and also the ancestral home of Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore in Shahjadpur of Sirajganj in Bangladesh. Custodian of the archaeology department Habibur Rahman was accused of assaulting and detaining a visitor named Shahnewaz.

June 10: Agitated locals vandalized the custodian’s office and auditorium and assaulted several staff members after forming a human chain against the assault on the visitor, reports local media. While the incident stemmed from a personal dispute, the Indian government, political leaders, and Hindutva-aligned social media accounts framed it as a communal attack.

June 12: India’s Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal strongly condemned the incident and said, “The attack falls in the broad pattern of systematic attempts by extremists to erase the symbols of tolerance and eviscerate the syncretic culture and the cultural legacy of Bangladesh.”

June 12: Speaking at a press conference, BJP MP and national spokesperson Sambit Patra strongly condemned the incident and said, “The attack …..was a pre-planned attack by Jamaat-e-Islami and Hefazat-e-Islam.”

However, these narratives are inaccurate and misleading. Investigations and verified reports have established that the incident had no communal or political links. It was not orchestrated by any radical groups.

June 13: Bangladesh’s Ministry of Cultural Affairs also clarified the incident, saying that there was “no communal or political motive behind the attack” and that the incident stemmed from a personal conflict.

Hindu religious leader calls for killing of Muslims, Christians in India

June 15: In a viral video surfaced on social media, Atmananda Saraswati Swamiji, an Indian Hindu religious leader, was seen delivering a hate speech calling for violence against Muslims and Christians.

In the video, Swamiji claims Sanatana Dharma is the only true religion in the country and calls for the elimination of Muslims and Christians using modern weapons. He also justifies killing thousands who oppose Sanatana Dharma, criticizing past leaders for showing them mercy.

Mass Demolition in Assam Displaces Hundreds of Muslims

June 16-18: In a controversial eviction drive in Hasila Bill, Goalpara district of Assam, over 700 homes, mainly of Bengali-speaking Muslims, were demolished by government bulldozers during peak monsoon and extreme heat conditions. While officials called it an action against illegal settlements, many displaced residents are documented Indian citizens. This incident caused human suffering, including the tragic death of a 60-year-old woman from heatstroke.

Misleading claims by Indian media about poet Atul Prasad Sen’s ancestral home in Bangladesh

June 17: Bangladeshi newspaper Kaler Kantho published a news article claiming the ancestral home of renowned Bengali poet Atul Prasad Sen in Shariatpur’s Naria upazila had been unlawfully occupied by an influential local figure.

Following this, several Indian media outlets including OpIndia picked up the report and amplified the claims, alleging that “extremists” had taken over the property. The misinformation was further spread through various social media platforms, including Voice of Bangladeshi Hindus saying: “Renowned Bengali poet Atul Prasad Sen’s ancestral home in Bangladesh has reportedly been seized and converted into an Islamic site.”

June 17: Bangladesh Chief Adviser’s Press Wing debunked the media reports terming them as false through a statement. The statement said the poet never lived at the Shariatpur property. After Partition, his brother Basanta Kumar Sen sold all the family property before leaving. Since the 1960s, the property has changed hands legally and is now owned by the family of the late Ali Azam Munshi, based on documented sales, not illegal occupation.

India illegally deporting Muslim citizens at gunpoint to Bangladesh: The Guardian

June 19: The Guardian published an article on the ongoing deportations of Muslim minorities from India to neighbouring Bangladesh. According to the article, India has intensified deportations of its Muslim minorities under a new policy, with hundreds expelled from Assam, Delhi, Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. In Gujarat alone, over 6,500 were detained—only 450 were later confirmed as undocumented.

Hazera Khatun, a 62-year-old disabled Indian woman, was detained by police on May 25 and forced across the Bangladesh border with 14 other Muslims. She told The Guardian they were treated like animals and threatened at gunpoint. Hearing gunshots from the Indian side, they crossed the border in fear, despite insisting they were Indian citizens.

False claim frames personal dispute as Islamist ‘Jizya Tax’ killing

In June 2023, a Hindu businessman named Bikash Chandra Das was killed in Chandina, Cumilla, Bangladesh. Recently, a false narrative has gone viral on social media, claiming he was murdered by Islamic extremists for refusing to pay a “Jizya tax.”

However, verified reports from local newspapers and police investigations confirm the murder was the result of a personal dispute over a pickup truck rental. The actual accused, Azizul Islam Aju, was arrested on June 28, 2023. Authorities confirmed no religious or extremist motives.

Blasphemy allegation against Hindu barber sparks tension in Bangladesh's Lalmonirhat

June 22: A Hindu barber and his son were detained by police after some locals accused them of hurting religious sentiments in Lalmonirhat district, Bangladesh, on June 22, reports local media.

Nazmul Islam, who is from the same locality, alleged that barber Paresh and his son Bishnu made remarks that hurt his religious sentiments when he went to their shop for a haircut on June 20. Meanwhile, several media outlets and social media users from India are portraying the incident as an “Islamist attack” on the Hindu minority.

However, the victims’ family told the media that it was not a religious matter. They claimed the false accusation was made against the father and son to provoke locals after they protested against underpayment for a haircut.

Dipti Rani Shil, wife of Bishnu, told the media, "I asked my father-in-law about the incident. He clearly said nothing of that sort (blasphemy) happened. A boy was leaving after getting a haircut and paying less. When there was an argument over this, the boy left, threatening to ‘show them later’.”

Land dispute misrepresented as religious attack in Bangladesh

On April 23, Bangladeshi newspaper Bangla Tribune published a misleading report titled “Ultimatum from worshippers to remove temple in Khilkhet, police trying to mediate”.

Based on the report, several Indian media outlets and pro-Hindutva social media pages portrayed it as an ‘Islamist attack’ and framed it as part of a broader campaign of religious persecution in Bangladesh.

The news report, according to fact-checkers, relied solely on a Facebook post by Suman Sudha and lacked eyewitness accounts and omitted the fact that the dispute centered on construction on government land.

In this regard, BanglaFact, a fact-checking platform, said, “The widely circulated claim about an attack by local Muslims on a Hindu temple in Dhaka’s Khilkhet area is misleading.The dispute began when a group of Hindus attempted to construct a temple on railway-owned (government) land, which led to objections from local residents. This resulted in an exchange of words between the two sides. However, the incident was later misrepresented as an attempt to remove idols and an attack on the temple.”

Qadaruddin Shishir, an independent fact-checker, wrote in his Facebook account, “If you’re a sensible person, this headline should make you angry—Muslims giving an ultimatum to remove a temple? I was outraged too. But the truth is, there’s no temple there at all. It’s just a signboard claiming a temple will be built, placed on government-owned railway land.”

“The incident has been turned into propaganda by some pages supporting the Awami League and BJP, falsely claiming ‘a temple was threatened’ or even ‘a temple was demolished’ in Bangladesh. And unfortunately, Bangla Tribune helped amplify that propaganda,” he added.

June 24: Finally, Bangla Tribune removed the published news and issued an apology, stating, “Some factual inaccuracies were identified in the report, and those have been corrected. We sincerely apologize for any unintended confusion caused.”

About the Author:

Mohammed Raihan is a staff contributor to the Insighta. He writes on history, culture, language, economy and geopolitics, uncovering untold narratives that connect the past and present. He can be reached at mohammed_raihan@theinsighta.com

কাশ্মীরের পাহালগামে হামলার পর, গত মে মাসে ভারতের বিভিন্ন রাজ্যে মুসলিমদের বিরুদ্ধে ঘৃণামূলক হামলা, উচ্ছেদ ও নির্যাতন বেড়ে যায়। যা দেশটির ভেতর-বাইরে সাম্প্রদায়িক সম্পর্ক ও সম্প্রীতির জন্য হুমকি বলে মনে করছেন অনেকে। রাষ্ট্রীয় ভূমিকা ও নীরবতা নিয়ে গভীর উদ্বেগ দেখা দিয়েছে।

May 2025 witnessed a surge in communal attacks and hate campaigns targeting Muslim minorities in India after the Pahalgam attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. In the two weeks after the attack, India Hate Lab (IHL) recorded 64 in-person hate speech incidents against the Muslim minorities across 16 states. A separate compilation by the Association of Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) documented at least 184 hate crimes targeting Muslims between April 22 and May 8, highlighting a sharp and alarming surge in anti-Muslim violence nationwide.

This monthly Insighta report summarizes key developments affecting minority communities in India during May 2025. The events are presented in order of their occurrence.

India pushes Indian Muslims and Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh

May 7–9: India’s Border Security Force (BSF) reportedly pushed Indian Muslims and Rohingya refugees across remote border points into Bangladesh, reports local media. By labeling Muslims living in India as Bangladeshis, attempts were made to forcefully push them into the neighbouring Muslim majority country.

The chief of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said that BSF forced 280 individuals between May 7 and May 9 through isolated, hard-to-monitor locations in the border. He also noted that the BSF were trying to push in another 200 to 300 people.

India allegedly throws 40 Rohingya refugees into the sea

May 8: Indian authorities forcibly threw 40 UNHCR-registered Rohingya refugees, including women, children, and the elderly, into international waters near Myanmar, forcing them to swim to safety with life jackets, confirms a UN OHCHR press release. According to a media report, these refugees were detained by Delhi Police officials under the pretext of collecting biometric data.

BJP Minister insults female Muslim Colonel calling “terrorists’ sister”

May 14: Madhya Pradesh BJP leader and State Cabinet Minister Kunwar Vijay Shah made derogatory remarks about Indian Army officer Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, saying that PM Narendra Modi had sent a “sister from the terrorists’ community” as those in Pakistan to avenge the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Kashmir. Colonel Qureshi conducted regular press briefings, sharing details of the 'Operation Sindoor' by Indian armed forces in Pakistan and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

Signboards banning Muslim entry seen in Rajasthan villages

May 18: In the aftermath of communal violence in Rajasthan’s Jhalawar district, signboards prohibiting the entry of Muslims have emerged in several villages. Each signboard carried the message: “It has been decided by the entire community that Muslims are strictly prohibited from entering this village. Jai Shri Ram.”

Muslim professor arrested over social media post

May 18: Ali Khan Mahmudabad, an associate professor at Ashoka University, was arrested for criticizing Operation Sindoor in a social media post. Rights groups condemned the arrest as a violation of academic freedom and a targeting of Muslims.

Professor Mahmudabad was detained based on a complaint by a member of BJP’s youth wing. Many are calling it a blatant attack on academic freedom and alleging that he was targeted due to his Muslim identity. Aakar Patel, the chair of Amnesty International India, said, “Mahmudabad is in jail not because of what he wrote but because he's Muslim.”

The Wire, an Indian media outlet, writes, “The signal sought to be sent to Muslim intellectuals is clear: their right to free expression disappears if they criticise the government.”

Mass demolition of Muslim homes in Ahmedabad

May 19: Over 7,000 houses—mostly owned by Muslims—were demolished in Ahmedabad of India under the pretext of removing “illegal Bangladeshis.” While many of the displaced residents claim they have lived there for decades, reports suggest Hindu houses in the same land were left untouched.

Muslim man harassed by Hindutva mob in West Bengal

May 22: In Cooch Behar, a Muslim man was publicly humiliated by a mob carrying tricolour flags for posting a video critical of PM Narendra Modi. The mob forced him to perform sit-ups and chant slogans such as ‘Pakistan Murdabad.’

Hindutva group seizes mosque site in Odisha

May 22: Members of the VHP and Bajrang Dal hoisted saffron flags atop an under-construction mosque on privately owned land in Jagatsinghpur, Odisha. In a video, the group was seen declaring that the site would become their district office.

Bangladesh business murder misframed as Islamist attack

May 22: Tariqul Islam, a BNP-affiliated local farmers’ leader was murdered over a fish enclosure dispute in Jashore, Bangladesh. The main suspect, Piltu Biswas, who had a dispute with Tariqul Islam, fled after the incident. In response, enraged locals attacked and set fire to several homes belonging to Piltu and his relatives, looting some as well. Indian media falsely framed it as an Islamist attack on Hindus, despite local confirmation that the conflict was not communal but stemmed from a business rivalry.

Young Muslim man killed in suspected hate crime in Haryana

May 24: Firdaus Alam alias Asjad Babu, a Muslim youth from Kishanganj, Bihar, was brutally lynched in Haryana for wearing a skull cap, a traditional cap worn by Muslim men. He succumbed to head injuries inflicted by a man who knocked off his cap and struck him with a stick.

According to a report, while on his way to meet a friend, an assailant identified as Shishu Lala reportedly knocked off his skull cap. As Asjad Babu bent to pick it up, he was struck on the head with a stick. He later died from his injuries at a Rohtak hospital.

Hindutva mob assaults Muslim men for carrying meat in Aligarh

May 24: Four Muslim men were brutally assaulted by a Hindutva mob while transporting meat in Aligarh district in Uttar Pradesh. The mob also set their vehicle on fire, allegedly in the presence of police. Video footage circulating on social media show the victims partially stripped and subjected to severe beatings by the mob.

BSF pushes 14 Indian Muslim citizens into Bangladesh

May 27: BSF pushed 14 Indian Muslim nationals into Bangladesh through the Baraibari border of Roumari upazila of Kurigram. All 14 people were identified as Indian citizens and Muslims.

Jiten Chandra Das, a journalist who was on the spot, said, “The BSF fired four rounds in the air when the 14 individuals were refusing to cross into the Bangladeshi territory, shouting, ‘we are Indians’.’’

About the Author:

Mohammed Raihan is a staff contributor to the Insighta. He writes on history, culture, language, economy and geopolitics, uncovering untold narratives that connect the past and present. He can be reached at mohammed_raihan@theinsighta.com

When Dr. Yunus declared Bangladesh the "guardian of the ocean," it wasn’t just symbolism—it was strategy. His statement disrupted India's long-standing maritime ambitions and reframed the Bay of Bengal as a space of shared power, not unilateral control.

ড. ইউনূস ভারতের সাতবোন রাজ্য নিয়ে যা বলেছেন, সেই কথাটাই জাপানের প্রধানমন্ত্রী ইশিবা ২০২৩ সালের মার্চে ভারত সফরের সময়ে বলেছিলেন। বাংলাদেশের প্রধান উপদেষ্টা বেইজিং সফরে গিয়ে বলেছেন, ভারতের ল্যান্ড-লকড সাত রাজ্যকে সাগরের সাতে যুক্ত করতে পারে বাংলাদেশ। এতে ভারতের আপত্তি তো নাই-ই, বরং এটাই তাদের দীর্ঘদিনের স্বপ্ন।

কিন্তু স্বপ্নটাকে দুঃস্বপ্ন করে দিচ্ছে ‘ল্যান্ডলকড’ কথাটা না। ড. ইউনূস যদি ‘আমরাই সাগরের অভিভাবক’ কথাটা না বলতেন, ভারতের কোনো অসুবিধা ছিল না। কিন্তু ‘আমরাই সাগরের অভিভাবক’ (We are guardian of the ocean) ঘোষণা সরাসরি ভারতের SAGAR নীতির [Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)] বিরুদ্ধে।

SAGAR নীতির অধীনে জাপান-ভারত মিলে কাজ করছিল ভারত মহাসাগরে চীনকে ঠেকাতে এবং বঙ্গোপসাগরে ভারতীয় কতৃত্ব প্রতিষ্ঠা করতে। জাপানি প্রধানমন্ত্রীর ২০২৩ সফরে ভারত-জাপান সম্পর্কের চারটি খুঁটি বা পিলারের ৩ নম্বরের মূল কথা ছিল, ‘(the Bay of Bengal-Northeast India industrial value chain concept in cooperation with India and Bangladesh etc.) এজন্যই চীনের পক্ষ থেকে সোনাদিয়ায় গভীর সমুদ্রবন্দর প্রকল্প ঠেকিয়ে হাসিনাকে দিয়ে জাপানের অর্থায়নে মাতারবাড়িতে একটা বন্দর তৈরি করা হয় বিশেষজ্ঞদের মতের বিরুদ্ধে গিয়ে।

জাপান ভারতের সাত রাজ্যের উন্নয়নে অনেক দিন ধরে কাজ করছে। তারই অংশ হিসেবে তারা বাংলাদেশের মাতারবাড়িতে বন্দর বানিয়েছে। বিপুল খরচে কর্ণফুলী টানেল বা ‘বঙ্গবন্ধু’ টানেল বানানো বাংলাদেশের জন্য অপচয় হলেও ভারতের জন্য সেটা মাতারবাড়ি বন্দরকে সাত রাজ্যের সাথে যুক্ত করার জন্য জরুরি। যাহোক, হাসিনার পতন না হলে জাপান-ভারত মিলে ভূমিতে করিডর আর সাগরে বন্দর-সংযোগ দিয়ে সাত রাজ্যের ভূবন্দি দশা কাটাতো। এমনকি চীন বিরোধী কোয়াডে ব্যবহৃত হতো বাংলাদেশের সমুদ্রসীমা। এতে সর্বনাশ হয়ে যেত বাংলাদেশের।

ড. ইউনূসের প্রস্তাবে নতুন কথা এটাই যে, সাত রাজ্যকে এই সুবিধা দেওয়া হবে বটে, তবে তার মালিকানা থাকবে বাংলাদেশের হাতে। ভারত চটেছে এই জায়গাটাতেই। ভারত করিডর ও বন্দর নিয়ে এবং এগুলি হাতে রাখার জন্য বাংলাদেশকে ফ্যাসিবাদী শাসনে বন্দি করে দাস হিসেবে ব্যবহারের ভূরাজনীতি করতে চাইতেই পারে। কিন্তু বাংলাদেশ তো আত্মহত্যা করতে পারে না। তারপরও ড. ইউনূসের ভাষা দেখুন, তিনি ভূরাজনীতির ভাষা ব্যবহার করেন নি, তিনি ব্যবহার করেছেন অর্থনৈতিক পরিভাষা।

ভারতের স্বার্থ হাসিলে বাংলাদেশকে বলি দিতেও রাজি ছিলেন শেখ হাসিনা। এবং ভারত যা চায় তা দেবার ক্ষমতা একমাত্র হাসিনার ফ্যাসিস্ট সরকারেরই ছিল। এই ব্যাপারটা না বুঝলে ভারতের বেচারাম দশা বা মরিয়াপনা বোঝা যাবে না।

ভারত বাংলাদেশকে দখল করে ভারতের অংশ করতে চায় না। এটা তার জন্য আত্মঘাতী হবে। মুসলমান হিসেবে ১৭ কোটি বাংলাদেশি ভারতের নাগরিক হওয়া মানে আবার বাংলা বিহার আসাম ত্রিপুরা জুড়ে আলীবর্দীর বাংলা সালতানাত কায়েম হবে। তাও যদি না হয়, তাহলে ভারতের মুসলিমরাসহ বাংলাদেশি মুসলিমরাই ঠিক করবে কে শাসন করবে দিল্লি। আবার ১৮ কোটি বাঙালি হিসেবেও যদি ভারতভুক্তি হয়, তাহলে বাঙালিরাই হবে একক বৃহত্তম জাতি এবং দিল্লি চলে যাবে তাদরে নিয়ন্ত্রণে। সুতরাং মুসলমান বা বাঙালি কোনো পরিচয়েই আধিপত্যবাদী ভারত বাংলাদেশিদের ভারতে নেবে না।

বরং সে চাইবে চারিদিকে কাঁটাতার দিয়ে ঘিরে বাংলাদেশের প্যালেস্টানিকরণ। তারা দেশেটার বুক চিরে সামরিক ও বাণিজ্যিক যাতায়াত করবে। সেটার পাহারাও দেবে তাদের বাহিনী। ক্রমশ বাংলাদেশের একটা অংশকে পশ্চিম তীর আর আরেকটা অংশকে গাজা বানাবে। বাংলাদেশ তাদের চোখে একটা ল্যান্ডম্যাস, এর বন্দর, এর সাগর, এর আকাশ, এর মাটি তারা ব্যবহার করবে দেশের মানুষকে দমনের মাধ্যমে।

কোনো নির্বাচিত সরকার এই সুযোগ ভারতকে দেবে না। দেবে শুধূ ভারতের হাতে জিম্মি শেখ হাসিনা। শেখ হাসিনার না দিয়ে উপায়ও ছিল না। ভারত যেহেতু কোনো রকম বৈধ উপায়ে বাংলাদেশের সার্বভৌমত্ব কিনতে বা ভাড়া নিতে পারবে না, সেহেতু হাসিনা স্টাইলের শাসক ছাড়া তার সাত রাজ্যের নিরাপত্তা থাকবে না।

ভারতের সাগর নীতিসহ যাবতীয় নীতির অন্যতম প্রধান উদ্দেশ্য এটাই। এজন্যই তাদের সংখ্যালঘু নিপীড়নের গল্প বানাতে হয়, নাশকতা সাজাতে হয়, বাংলাদেশের ভাবমূর্তি নষ্ট করতে হয়, শেখ হাসিনাসহ হাজার হাজার লুটেরা ও খুনীকে ভারতে রেখে পুষতে হয়- এই আশায় যে, একদিন তাদের পুশ করে আবার তারা বাংলাদেশে ও বঙ্গোপসাগরের মালিকানা নেওয়া শুরু করবে। দুনিয়ার কেউ মানবে যে, আমি তোমার ভেতর দিয়ে যাব-আসব আবার আমি তোমাকে দমনও করবো কিন্তু তুমি ‘আহা উহুও করতে পারবা না। আমাদের মুখ বন্ধ করতেই তারা ‘মুক্তিযুদ্ধ, অসাম্প্রদায়িকতা, সেকুলারিজম ইত্যাকার ঠুলি পরাতে চায় চোখে, জবান বন্ধ করতে চায়। ভারতের যাবতীয় বুলিবাগীশতার তলার আসল কথাটা হলো তারা করিডর ও বন্দর পেতে চায়। ইউনূস সেই আসল জায়গাটাতেই হাত দিয়েছেন।

‘আমরাই (বাংলা) সাগরের অভিভাবক’ কখন থাকতে পারবো? যখন বাংলাদেশ রাষ্ট্রের মালিকানা এর জনগণের হাতে থাকবে। এখন দেখার বিষয়, তিনি কীভাবে একই সাথে চীন ও যুক্তরাষ্ট্রকে সামলে বাংলাদেশের স্বার্থ বাঁচাতে পারেন।

ড. ইউনূস ভারতের খেলা ভারতের দিকেই ঘুরিয়ে দিয়েছেন। তিনি বলছেন, আসো সুযোগ নাও কিন্তু মনে রাখবা তোমরা গ্রাহকমাত্র মালিক নও। বাংলাদেশের টাকায় পদ্মা সেতুসহ সারাদেশের যাবতীয় অবকাঠামো প্রকল্প তৈরি করা হয়েছিল জাস্ট ভারতের ট্রানজিট-করিডর চালু করবার জন্য—আপনার গাড়ি বা মটর সাইকেল হাঁকাবার জন্য না, ঈদে স্বস্তিতে বাড়ি যাবার জন্য না। ভারত এসব শুধু মাগনাই খেতে চায়নি, তাদের খাওয়ার বাধা অপসারণে বাংলাদেশকে ফ্যাসিস্ট শাসনে বন্দি রাখতে চেয়েছিল। আগস্টের অভ্যুত্থান সেই মওকাটা মাত করে দিয়েছে।

এবং আবারো বলি, বাংলাদেশ কোনোভাবেই ভারতবিরোধী বা কারো বিরোধী না। নেগেটিভ ব্র্যান্ডিং আমাদের কাজে আসবে না। আমরা অ্যান্টি না, আমরা প্রো। আমরা বাংলাদেশপন্থী। যেসব লোক আপনাদের নেগেটিভ রাজনীতি ও অ্যানার্কির দিকে ঠেলতে চায় তারা বাংলাদেশপন্থী না। পুনশ্চ: ভারতের সবচেয়ে বেশি সামরিক চুক্তি রয়েছে সম্ভবত জাপানের সাথে।

দ্রষ্টব্য: এ লেখাটি ফারুক ওয়াসিফের ফেসবুক ২ এপ্রিলে করা পোস্ট থেকে অনেকটা হুবহু নিয়ে পুনঃপ্রকাশ করা হলো।

About the Author:

Faruk Wasif is the Director General of the Press Institute of Bangladesh (PIB). A prolific writer and journalist, he has held key editorial roles at several leading newspapers, including Prothom Alo and Daily Samakal.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article has originally been published to authors’s social media handle precisely in facebook. Author have been communicated before publishing this article here. The comment and views are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

প্রতিবেশি রাষ্ট্রগুলোতে ভারত প্রায়ই বিভিন্নভাবে প্রভাব বিস্তারের চেষ্টা করে। ইতিহাস বলে, এই প্রচেষ্টার অংশ হিসেবে ভারত প্রতিনিয়ত দেশগুলোর স্বৈরশাসকদের পক্ষ নেয়। কিন্ত, এই “বড়ভাই সুলভ” কৌশল থেক ভারতের লাভ কতটুকু?

An analysis of India's foreign policy and its relations with neighboring countries over the years reveals a consistent strategy of maintaining dominance by supporting specific political parties to be in power, even through undemocratic means as a regional hegemon. In line with this strategy, India has provided substantial domestic and international backing to Sheikh Hasina's Awami League, overriding the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people. As a result, Bangladesh has endured a fascist regime for over 15 years.

Bangladesh, a 53-year-old nation with a rich history of struggle for language, democracy, and independence, stands as a dynamic and strategically significant country in the south Asia region and beyond. Despite its potential to inspire democratic spirits globally, the nation has experienced a concerning regression from its democratic path, particularly over the past 15 years. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her party Bangladesh Awami League, both overthrown by the July 2024 uprising, assumed office in the controversial election of 2008. Since then, the nation has continued to descend into fascism. Fascist Sheikh Hasina and Awami League cohorts systematically abused state machinery and resources to establish a regime that persistently violated human rights and eroded democratic principles. The elections in 2014, 2018, and 2024 are the most notable examples of this degradation of democracy, as voters’ basic right to vote was persistently denied. Unfortunately, India, Bangladesh's largest and closest neighbor, played a pivotal role in the continued fascism by providing the Awami League with unwavering support on local, regional, and international fronts, enabling the regime to suppress citizens’ fundamental rights and maintain its grip on power.

In his book, The Coalition Years: 1996 to 2012, former Indian President Pranab Mukherjee reveals India's involvement in securing the Awami League's 2008 election victory. In the 2014 election, India influenced smaller parties like the Jatiya Party to participate, while major opposition parties boycotted, citing an uneven playing field. The 2018 "midnight election" was rejected by opposition parties due to irregularities, including ballot stuffing at night before the election day. In the 2024 elections, the “dummy” election, the Hasina regime supported “dummy” independent candidates, who were also from the Awami League, to make the election appear credible, leading the international community to label the election as flawed. Despite these issues, India consistently backed the legitimacy of the elections held from 2008 to 2024, bolstering the Awami League’s grip on power. Besides, India played a significant role in softening international criticism of Sheikh Hasina’s repressive regime until her escape to India on August 5, 2024. Reports indicate Delhi also pressured Washington to ease its firm stance on Hasina’s government.

Besides politics, under Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh's foreign policy increasingly fell under India’s regulatory influence, shaping diplomatic and commercial decisions of Bangladesh. A notable example is her 2024 state visit to China, where discussions centered on the Teesta project—a river shared with India, which has unilaterally exploited the river, depriving Bangladesh of fair water rights. China expressed interest in financing the project, even conducting feasibility studies, but India opposed China’s involvement under the guise of security concerns. Before visiting China, Hasina traveled to India twice and ultimately handed the project to India, despite India’s lack of feasibility studies and the capacity to execute the project effectively. Experts argue this decision was driven by India’s aim to prevent closer Bangladesh-China ties. During her China visit, Hasina faced a lack of expected protocol and economic support, leading her to cut the trip short and return to Bangladesh.

Despite being neighbors, Pakistan and Bangladesh had experienced a strained relationship for the past 15 years. Many in Bangladesh believe that, due to Pakistan's strained ties with India and under India's pressure, Bangladesh, under Hasina’s rule, had been unable to establish a mutually respectful relationship with Pakistan. Even after Sheikh Hasina's escape to India, when a Pakistani cargo ship arrived in Bangladesh with consumer goods, India expressed concern.

Moreover, India has strategically and profitably used Bangladesh's territory for connectivity with its seven northeastern states (the Seven Sisters). However, when Bangladesh sought to establish road links with neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan, India did not respond positively to using its territory for these connections.

These events clearly demonstrate how India has confined Bangladesh's politics and independent foreign policy.

Even after the fall of Sheikh Hasina following the people’s uprising, there has been no visible shift in India’s perspective on Bangladesh that developed during her tenure. The UN Human Rights Commission has found Sheikh Hasina’s direct involvement in the mass killings during the July uprising. However, Hasina still finds refuge in India. Not only that, but also she continues to use phones and social media platforms from India to direct her party members to carry out killings and other forms of repression against students and protesters involved in the July uprising.

The Bangladesh government has formally requested India to stop Hasina from using its territory for conspiracies against Bangladesh. Unfortunately, India has taken no visible effective action in response. Indian media outlets spread misinformation about the Bangladesh government, and India still views the overthrow of Hasina’s regime as a conspiracy, even some Indian leaders issuing threats to annex Bangladesh. After crippling Bangladesh’s democracy, human rights, social system, and global respectful positions, Hasina fled to India. Hasina’s escape to India presents a new opportunity for Bangladesh to restore its democracy, rebuild a fair social system, and foster respectful diplomatic relationships with the global community.

Bangladesh has recently signed an important agreement with the U.S.-based company, Argent LNG, as part of its effort to expand international business ties. In this context, Bangladesh continues to work on strengthening its ties with both neighboring and distant countries.

Moreover, whenever Bangladesh endeavors to strengthen its business ties with China and Pakistan, India lodges complaints with the United States and Western nations, alleging that Bangladesh is tilting toward China and claiming that the interim government is backed by ‘Islamist fundamentalists.’ Given India’s systematic interference in Bangladesh's politics, cultures, economy, and foreign policy spheres, it seems likely that India has a meticulous plan to treat Bangladesh similarly to how it has been treating the people of Kashmir by controlling their cultural, political, human rights, and economic freedoms.

Under these circumstances, India appears to seek control over Bangladesh to achieve two main objectives: first, to reap economic benefits since Bangladesh, with a population of nearly 200 million, is a huge market with significant potential to grow politically and economically, and second, to prevent Bangladesh from emerging as a development model that could further stir ongoing independence movements in India since people in India’s various states aspire for independence.

About the Author:

Md Farid Talukder, PhD is an Assistant Professor of Management at McNeese State University, Louisiana, USA. Dr. Talukder is a chairman of South Asia Initiative—a US-based think tank works on south Asian politics and policy. He is distinguished academic, researcher, and scholar in specializing in international business, south Asian affairs, and geopolitics. He can be reached at talukderuniversity@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

২০২৬ সালে গঙ্গা পানি চুক্তির মেয়াদ শেষ হওয়ার প্রেক্ষাপটে ভারত ও বাংলাদেশ এক গুরুতর সন্ধিক্ষণে দাঁড়িয়ে। ক্রমবর্ধমান জলবায়ু সংকট, রাজনৈতিক উত্তেজনা এবং আঞ্চলিক নিরাপত্তার জটিল বাস্তবতাকে কেন্দ্র করে—কীভাবে দুই প্রতিবেশী ন্যায্য পানিবণ্টন, টেকসই উন্নয়ন ও আঞ্চলিক সহযোগিতার নতুন দিগন্ত উন্মোচন করতে পারে, তা বিশ্লেষণ করেছেন ড. মেহেবুব সাহানা।

Irregular rainfalls, excessive groundwater extraction, and reduced flow in transboundary rivers are exacerbating seasonal water shortages in Bangladesh. These shortages are having a serious impact on the country’s food security. As a result, water diplomacy with India has become a major concern for Bangladesh. This issue is especially urgent given the growing effects of climate change and water-related disasters. The Hasina government maintained friendly ties with India. However, that did not alleviate the persisting tension of equitable sharing of water resources. While Bangladesh shares 54 rivers with India, agreements have been signed for only two rivers—the Ganges and the Kushiyara. After more than 13 years of negotiations, the long-awaited Teesta water-sharing treaty did not see any visible progress. Now, the agreement for the Ganges is set to expire in 2026. As the Ganges treaty approaches an end, there is an urgent need for both countries to review their water-sharing deal not to harm their mutual benefits and long-term stability.

History of Transboundary Water Crises

Transboundary rivers and water resources have long been a critical geopolitical issue for Bangladesh. Since its independence in 1971, managing shared water systems has been central to its diplomacy, and the issue has strongly shaped Bangladesh’s relationship with India. Approximately 92% of Bangladesh's land border is shared with India, and over 90% of Bangladesh’s water resources originate from upstream sources, primarily in India. This makes the health of its downstream regions a matter of national concern. The 54 transboundary rivers play a vital role in water supply, agriculture, ecology, and regional cooperation for both Bangladesh and India.

The water management issue began in earnest with the creation of the Joint Rivers Commission (JRC) in 1972. Tensions escalated following India’s operation of the Farakka Barrage in 1975, which sparked massive protests from the Bangladesh side. The famous 1976 Farakka Long March led by Maulana Abdul Hamid Khan Bhashani called for the demolition of the dam. Despite these protests, Bangladesh and India signed a five-year agreement in 1977 on Ganges water sharing at the Farakka Barrage. In 1996, the two nations reached a more comprehensive 30-year treaty under the then Prime Ministers of both countries—Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh and H.D. Deve Gowda of India. They sought to ensure a fair distribution of the Ganges' water during the dry season.

However, India’s non-stop operation of the Farakka Barrage continues to raise serious concerns on the Bangladesh side, particularly over its various impacts on downstream regions, including worsened droughts, increased riverbank erosion, reduced fish production (notably Hilsa), and severe flooding during the monsoon season. Bangladesh, one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable countries, faces growing water-related disasters, including frequent experience of irregular monsoon and flash floods, mainly caused by climate change. Glacial melt from the Himalayas, combined with extreme rainfall, make the water flow and flooding in major transboundary rivers even worse. - Heavy floods in the northeastern haor (wetland) regions and droughts in the northwest (Barind Tract region) have become more frequent. The overflow of water increases river bank erosion along the rivers of Padma, Meghna, and Jamuna, displacing thousands every year and increasing climate displacement risk.

Feni, Bangladesh – Aug 24, 2024: Flooded main highway and surrounding areas.

Bangladesh complains that the country does not receive its fair share of water, particularly during the dry season. Research by Mohammad Abul Kawser and Md. Abdus Samad, along with a study by Kazi Saidur Rahman and his team, has raised concerns about water shortages. Between 1997 and 2016, Bangladesh reportedly received less water than agreed at the Hardinge Bridge on 94 out of 300 occasions, with guaranteed flows unmet 39 times during critical dry periods. Concerns over data accuracy regarding water availability at the Farakka Barrage and Hardinge Bridge further complicate the issue. In 2019, Bangladesh formally complained to India about treaty non-compliance, while the International Farakka Committee (IFC) advocated for a basin-wide water-sharing agreement. This incident reignited long-standing concerns in Bangladesh over India’s upstream water management. It underscored the importance of improved communication, data sharing, and cooperation between the two countries.

Geopolitical Shifts and Rising Strains in Water Governance

Following the July 2024 uprising in Bangladesh, the political landscape is undergoing significant shifts. These changes appear to be altering the dynamics of the country’s relationship with India. Recently, the interim government in Dhaka criticized India for sheltering former Prime Minister Hasina, who was accused of forced disappearances, atrocities, and crimes against humanity. India’s decision to grant asylum to Hasina has drawn sharp disapproval from various political and civil society groups in Bangladesh. Since the July events, both countries have faced diplomatic tensions on several geopolitical issues. In light of these developments, the future of bilateral relations, particularly concerning water diplomacy, remains uncertain.

The ouster of Sheikh Hasina clearly escalated tensions with India, which had largely benefited from her government. This political shift seems to have further strained the two nations’ water relations. For example, the devastating floods of August 2024 affected 5.8 million people in Bangladesh. Several officials, including Nahid Islam, an advisor to the interim government, accused India of releasing water from the Dumbur Dam in Tripura without prior notice. The International Farakka Committee (IFC) also issued a statement pointing to the sudden opening of sluice gates at both the Dumbur and Farakka Barrages, which contributed to the widespread inundation in Bangladesh. India, however, denied these accusations. It claimed the floods were due to heavy rainfall and said the water release was a natural response to rising water levels.

As tensions over transboundary water management grow, the renewal of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty—set to expire in 2026—has become a pressing issue. While the interim government and various diplomats of Bangladesh advocate for its renewal, there is a sense of urgency surrounding the need to address other outstanding water disputes, notably the Teesta agreement, which has been under negotiation for over a decade. With the political uncertainty in Bangladesh, the outlook for future water diplomacy appears increasingly precarious. After the fall of Hasina’s government, India's interest in renewing the Ganges treaty may wane, further complicating efforts to reach a sustainable agreement. Given the rising geopolitical tensions between these neighboring nations, the need for a cooperative and equitable deal for shared river management has never been more critical. It is incumbent upon both countries to work towards comprehensive, basin-wide agreements to ensure mutual benefit and regional stability in the years to come.

Historic Water Disputes and the Complex Path to Treaty Renewal

Maulana Bhasani led the historic Farakka Long March in May 1976, protesting India’s Farakka Barrage. Bhasani feared it would deprive Bangladesh of its fair share of the Ganges (Padma) waters. The commemoration of the march has grown in significance, with the 48th anniversary in May 2024 sparking renewed calls for equitable sharing of all 54 transboundary rivers. Under Hasina’s rule, India and Bangladesh have made some progress in water diplomacy, with the JRC expanding its scope by adding more rivers for cooperation. At the 2022 JRC meeting, both nations welcomed the formation of a Joint Technical Committee (JTC) to study the optimal utilization of water received by Bangladesh under the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty. As mentioned in Article XII, the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty can be renewed by mutual consent.

However, renowned scholar Amit Ranjan, an expert in South Asian water diplomacy, warns that past disputes suggest the renewal process may not be straightforward. The treaty's extension depends on broader diplomatic relations over the past few decades, and several factors make future negotiations even more complex. Firstly, the growing water demand-supply gap in the Ganges Basin, driven by climate change, agricultural expansion, industrialization, urbanization, and population growth, is straining resources. Additionally, groundwater, which accounts for around 30% of the Ganges’ summer flow, is depleting. Secondly, the Farakka Barrage remains a point of contention, with Bangladesh blaming it for water shortages, siltation, and threats to the Sundarbans. Thirdly, the treaty’s political future depends on India’s state politics as well, as seen in West Bengal’s resistance to the Teesta agreement. It has shown how state-level interests can override national commitments. Finally, the recent political shift in Bangladesh has significant implications for India-Bangladesh relations. A stronger push for water diplomacy from Bangladesh’s new leadership is likely to make treaty renewal talks more critical and contentious than in the past. The previous Hasina government, often seen as aligned with India, had stated that Bangladesh would only sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China for the Teesta project if India approved. However, India did not grant approval. Given the current state of India-Bangladesh relations, the interim government may move forward with negotiations with China on the Teesta project to put pressure on India for the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty.

In a recent interview, the Advisor to Bangladesh’s interim Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFCC) voiced concerns over India’s upstream water withdrawals through the Farakka Barrage. These withdrawals have reportedly contributed to desertification in Bangladesh, increased salinity intrusion into freshwater sources, and caused severe environmental degradation, including biodiversity loss. With the Ganges Water Treaty, Bangladesh’s interim government has signaled a firm stance on securing its rightful share of water. Dhaka has even hinted at engaging the international community to address the water crisis, a move that could pose further diplomatic challenges for India. Moreover, internal opposition within India, particularly from West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continues to complicate water-sharing deals. The recent political shift in Bangladesh has also triggered diplomatic change in West Bengal’s politics, making Banerjee a key stakeholder in the treaty’s renewal due to federalism and its control over the Teesta region. However, renegotiations could strain bilateral relations as both India and Bangladesh tackle mounting water stress from the adverse effects of climate change.

Regional Solutions for Sustainable Water Cooperation in South Asia

Bangladesh faces an ever-growing demand for irrigation water due to its high population density. With a land area of 147,570 sq. km and a population exceeding 170 million, agricultural land is shrinking by 80,000–85,000 hectares annually, intensifying its reliance on irrigation. At the same time, climate change is exacerbating water challenges across South Asia, with increased droughts and floods affecting India’s Northeast, West Bengal, Bihar, and a few parts of Nepal. While overall rainfall is declining, extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent across the region. These shifts are especially concerning for shared rivers, as the Teesta River’s average discharge has also been decreasing, threatening water availability for downstream Bangladesh.

Adding to these concerns, China's proposal to build the world's largest dam on the upper reaches of the Tsangpo-Brahmaputra River has raised concerns about downstream water security in India and Bangladesh. The project could disrupt river flow, affecting agriculture, livelihoods, and the ecological balance in lower riparian regions. Further compounding the risks, a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in October 2023, from South Lhonak Lake caused the collapse of the Teesta III Dam in Sikkim, leading to severe downstream flooding. This disaster highlights the increasing risks posed by climate change and underscores the need to reassess water diplomacy in South Asia, particularly regarding India-Bangladesh transboundary water governance.

In this context, the approaching expiration of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty in 2026 adds urgency to the need for cooperative planning. Both nations must navigate these environmental challenges while determining the future of their transboundary water-sharing agreements. While India, as an upstream country, prioritizes infrastructure projects and hydropower development, downstream Bangladesh remains focused on mitigating the impacts of reduced water flow, droughts, and floods. These diverging priorities reflect the different geopolitical and resource management challenges faced by nations positioned at opposite ends of transboundary river systems. Power dynamics play a crucial role in the water-sharing dispute between India and Bangladesh, influencing political conflicts. Bangladesh remains particularly concerned with water quality, availability, and disaster mitigation, emphasizing the need for sustainable water management and harm prevention.

To address these multifaceted challenges, a practical solution could be the creation of a Regional River Commission (RRC) comprising India, China, Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh. Such a commission would promote cooperation in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Himalayan-Tibetan river basins, ensuring equitable water distribution and the sustainable management of shared river systems. South Asian countries require stronger regional collaboration, increased investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, and enhanced disaster preparedness to mitigate future risks.

Improved information sharing is also essential. A regional water data-sharing system among common-river nations could improve transparency and reduce conflicts. Beyond government-level action, strengthening people-to-people connectivity and engaging NGOs, think tanks, and activists in South Asia could generate grassroots pressure for fair water-sharing agreements. Moreover, leveraging international media to highlight the consequences of unilateral upstream water control could raise global awareness and garner diplomatic support.

Ultimately, Bangladesh needs a multi-tiered strategy that integrates bilateral diplomacy, regional cooperation, legal mechanisms, and international advocacy to effectively address transboundary river challenges. By adopting a proactive and evidence-based approach, Bangladesh can enhance its negotiating position and secure sustainable water agreements that safeguard the well-being of its people.

About the Author:

Mehebub Sahana, PhD, is a Leverhulme Fellow and Lecturer in GIS at the Department of Geography, The University of Manchester, UK. His expertise lies in transboundary river basin management, socio-ecological resilience, and the socio-political dimensions of land-use dynamics in the Global South. His research delves into the evolving human-environmental interactions, examining their transformation in the wake of colonization, as well as during the post-partition and independence eras.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.

রেমিট্যান্স অর্জন এবং গার্মেন্টস পণ্য রপ্তানিতে বাংলাদেশ ইউরোপ ও মধ্যপ্রাচ্যের উপর নির্ভরশীল। এক্ষেত্রে চীন, ভারত, ও পাকিস্তান সহ দক্ষিন এশিয়ার দেশগুলো বাংলাদেশের প্রতিযোগী। এছাড়াও ভারত ও চীনের সাথে বাংলাদেশের বড় ধরণের দৈনিক বাণিজ্য হয়। পরিবর্তিত রাজনৈতিক পরিস্থিতিতে এবং ডোনাল্ড ট্রাম্পের ক্ষমতা গ্রহণের পরে বাংলাদেশকে অত্যন্ত চতুরতা ও সতর্কতার সাথে বৈদেশিক সম্পর্ক উন্নয়ন ও রক্ষা করতে হবে। এই নিবন্ধে ভু-রাজনৈতিকভাবে অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপুর্ণ বাংলাদেশের বৈদেশিক নীতির নানাদিক আলোচনা করা হয়েছে।

Bangladesh is at a critical juncture as domestic politics have continued to evolve since August 2024 after the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s regime through an anti-government uprising. While the fall of the authoritarian government has initiated hope for democratic renewal in Bangladesh, it left the state with uncertainties. One of the biggest tasks that the interim government and any future elected government must prioritize is to rethink Bangladesh’s foreign policy trajectories. Bangladesh’s foreign policy has been historically shaped by its geopolitical location, economic and development needs, and domestic political dynamics. With the re-election of Donald Trump and with the competing relations with India, China, and Pakistan in a complex geopolitical scenario, Bangladesh needs to adopt a very proactive and forward-looking foreign policy. Considering these realities, Dhaka’s foreign policy will be guided by economic development, stable remittances through sustainable labor migration, navigating tensions with neighbors, and improving relations with the U.S. in the coming years.

Economic Stability and Trade Diversification

While formulating foreign policy, Bangladesh’s top priority should be Economic growth and development. In recent years, significant economic setbacks confronted Bangladesh, such as persistent inflation, sluggish private investment, and volatility in the foreign exchange market. However, by December 2024, the gross foreign exchange reserves had reached $26.67 billion, and the official dollar rate had also increased. Despite small progress, inflation remains high due to a lack of coordination among monetary, fiscal, and market policies. While remittances and exports show an upward trail, inadequate and unstable business environments hinder sustainable growth. The interim government struggles to implement effective economic management policies and thereby is holding back recovery efforts. Besides immediate inflation control, long-term structural reforms are needed to stabilize the economy.

One key area for ensuring sustained economic growth is diversifying Bangladesh’s foreign markets and export items. Bangladesh’s export industry is one of the least diversified in the world. Also, our export destinations are extremely concentrated, with four-fifths of them in North America or the EU. More than 80% of the exports are in knitwear and woven garments, and the rest is textile, footwear, jute products, fish, and a few other items. As one of the top apparel exporters to the EU, Bangladesh has exported $19.77 billion worth of apparel products to the EU, reflecting a 4.86% growth from 2023. However, during the first ten months of 2024, the exports saw poor growth of 0.76 percent due to less demand from the EU. Such occasions can cause uncertainties for the economy.

Bangladesh is the second-largest apparel exporter to the EU after China. As Bangladesh is set to graduate from the Least Developed Country status by 2026, it might result in the loss of preferential trade benefits in the European Union (EU) markets. Besides, the U.S. and EU emphasize improving labor conditions and environmental sustainability in the Ready-made garments sector. Any major failure to maintain these standards could lead to restrictions or regulations on RMG exports. Therefore, it has become imperative for Bangladesh to maintain these standards and at the same time, look for new partners, diversify export items beyond textiles, and explore new investment avenues.

Unfortunately, export diversification is still not on the priority agenda of the government. Export diversification faces barriers due to policy inconsistency, inadequate infrastructure, financial constraints, and weak bargaining power of the non-RMG sector. The lack of export-oriented foreign direct investment is also another major concern. Stronger FDI initiatives in non-RMG sectors, policy reforms, and infrastructural investments are needed to diversify the export sector. The Chief Advisor’s meeting with 27 diplomats from the EU is a commendable initiative in this regard. In a letter to Bangladesh Interim Government’s Chief Adviser Prof. Dr. Muhammad Yunus, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed interest in a comprehensive partnership agreement with Bangladesh and reaffirmed the EU's support for Bangladesh’s democratic principles and human rights. While these communications mostly focused on election reforms, the government must utilize this connection to diversify the economy and trade activities with EU countries.

Another challenge for Bangladesh is to create investment-friendly conditions at home. Since political instability hit the country last year, investment has significantly decreased. In the fiscal year 2023-2024, net FDI inflow was $1.47 billion, reflecting a fall of 8.8% from $1.61 billion in FY23. Besides political instability, currency devaluation, dollar crisis, and economic instability have contributed to the investment crisis. Lack of investment by foreign partners will result in further economic downturn. Some reforms have already been initiated at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). However, addressing underlying issues such as regulatory inefficiency, inadequate trust between government and private sector, difficulties in accessing industrial loans, establishing more effective Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and more proactive diplomacy by Bangladeshi missions abroad are essential to facilitate foreign investment.

Migrant Workers’ Rights and Remittance Stability

Labor migration to Gulf countries and other parts of the world fuels Bangladesh’s economy, with millions of migrant workers sending remittances that constitute around 5% of nominal GDP each financial year. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Bangladesh is the sixth-largest migrant-sending country and the eighth-largest remittance-receiving country. In December 2024, the total amount of remittances received was nearly US$27 billion, an increase of about US$4.7 billion from 2023. While these workers are the fuel for national economic growth, concerns remain regarding the rights of migrant workers in their workplaces. Around 64% of the migrant workers from Bangladesh go to Gulf and Arab countries, and the rest migrate to Southeast Asia. In 2024, among 700,000 workers who went abroad, 374,000 went to Saudi Arabia. In recent years, systemic exploitation of workers characterized Saudi Arabia’s treatment of migrant workers. Saudi Arabia announced its megaproject NEOM (“new future”) under Vision 2030 in 2016. Since then, 21,000 workers have died, and many of these deceased workers are Bangladeshi citizens. Extreme working hours, bad working conditions, and abusive treatment towards domestic workers remain long-term issues. Bangladesh must take action to mitigate these malpractices by assuring immediate support to the migrant workers through diplomatic missions. The government should pressure the Saudi administration diplomatically to prevent these malpractices.

Bangladesh faces competition from India, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, the other largest remittance receivers, in grabbing opportunities for migrant workers in Gulf countries. One way to cope with this challenge is to create more skilled labor, considering the current market demands. In 2023, Bangladesh sent 308,000 skilled workers, a 22% rise from the previous year when it sent 252,000 skilled workers. While this is good progress, more needs to be done to fulfill the global demand. In February 2023, Saudi Arabia launched the Workers’ Recruitment and Skill Verification Programme (SVP) with Bangladesh, under which skilled workers will receive Saudi Riyal 1500 to 1800, and unskilled workers will receive Saudi Riyal 800 to 1200. This could be an effective step in encouraging migrant workers to develop their skills. Bangladesh must prioritize developing more technical training centers (TTCs) and ensuring better coordination among them to produce skilled labor.

Trump’s re-election, geopolitical considerations and relations with India, China, Pakistan

Bangladesh’s foreign policy is constrained by its geopolitical realities. It has maintained a hedging strategy towards India and China for over a decade and a half. Despite the effort, in 2024, before the fall of the former Sheikh Hasina regime, relations with China faced tensions due to the regime’s prioritization of relations with India to serve its own interest. However, as Bangladesh invokes a new era, its foreign policy must utilize the benefits of its geopolitical position. Economic development and development assistance should be high on the agenda while formulating foreign policy with neighboring states.

India is the biggest neighbor of Bangladesh, and both states have maintained strong political, economic, connectivity, and security relations since the birth of Bangladesh in 1971. Bangladesh’s priorities in its foreign policy with India include development partnerships, attracting foreign investments, and fostering trade relations. For India, Bangladesh remains strategically important to ensure smoother connectivity with its northeastern states. Bangladesh is also India’s largest trading partner in South Asia, and India is the second biggest trading partner of Bangladesh. The bilateral trade reached US$14.01 billion during FY 2022-2023 from US$6.35 billion in FY 2014-20215. Bangladesh imports rice, wheat, onion, ginger, garlic, sugar, Cotton, Cereals, Iron and steel, refined petroleum, electronic equipment, plastics, etc. from India. This import dependence has contributed to Bangladesh's trade deficit against India. Bangladesh’s gain in regard to its relationship with India has been somewhat asymmetric, whereas India’s gain in trade and connectivity has outweighed Bangladesh’s gains. Indian Prime Minister Modi’s government has consistently offered unwavering support for the Hasina regime to stay in power by downplaying the state interest, and thus, democratic values were compromised. Additionally, border killing, BJP’s decades-long unfair approach towards Bangladeshi immigrants, the unresolved water-sharing issue, and the 2019 Citizenship Amendment Act - all these have contributed to the increasing distrust within Bangladesh vis-à-vis India and reinforced the ‘India-out’ campaign.

Despite an ever-growing anti-India sentiment, India remains a key player in South Asia and continues to affect our foreign policy. Dhaka must understand these crucial geopolitical realities and maintain a stable relationship with India. India is a potential development partner of Bangladesh and has offered three Lines of Credit (LOC) of US$ 7.36 billion since August 2010. While much needs to be done on the part of the Modi government to reduce the tension in relation, Dhaka should also keep an open diplomatic approach toward India. India’s stance on Hasina’s extradition and democratic governance in Bangladesh will significantly shape the direction of the relationship. Bangladesh must pursue a pragmatic and robust diplomatic approach to prevent any interference from India in undermining democratic values in Bangladesh. However, ignoring India should not be an option in that pursuit. Dr. Yunus has made little or no effort so far to restore relations with India. An India-free and China-focused foreign policy is not feasible for Bangladesh, which might lead to Bangladesh’s alienation from major global platforms and result in fragile relations with major Western nations.

While searching for a reinvigorating foreign policy, the interim government is trying to alter the geopolitics of South Asia by improving relations with Pakistan. Dr. Yunus and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met at the D-8 Summit in Cairo in December 2024 and since then, several initiatives have been underway to increase security and intelligence cooperation between the two nations. While China welcomes this development, it has also proactively engaged with the interim government in Dhaka and had separate meetings with the opposition leaders, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI).

While all these seem to be an exciting development, the relationship with Pakistan should be navigated carefully so that it does not strain our relationship with India. Choosing Pakistan over India or vice versa will only result in halted progress on different fronts. Bangladesh cannot ignore major powers like India and China, who can significantly contribute to Bangladesh’s economic stability and development needs. Relations with Pakistan still hold uncertainty. While Deep-seated historical grievances might not fade away suddenly, a calculation of tangible benefits from bilateral relations must guide Dhaka’s foreign policy agenda. Additionally, China’s normalization of hostilities with India through a deal during last year’s BRICS summit sends mixed signals regarding China’s interest in antagonizing its relationship with India over Bangladesh.

To make the situation more complex, Trump’s re-election can have serious implications for Bangladesh. Trump’s decision to stop development aid in Bangladesh and several other states will create further economic vulnerability. This disinterest from Washington will give greater freedom to India in pressurizing Bangladesh and will offer China the opportunity to make Bangladesh further dependent on its development aid. Therefore, Bangladesh must adopt a carefully maneuvered and balanced foreign policy so as not to risk its relationship with the Western world and major regional powers.

While Bangladesh enjoys some privileges being positioned in a geopolitically significant location, it also faces challenges. Despite being confined by the constraints of a small state, this moment in history has given wonderful opportunities to the leaders to shape the course of their foreign policy in a way that can bring development, stability, and prestige to the nation. Dhaka must prioritize economic development and domestic democratic stability in national and foreign policy and must not tilt towards any one side of the regional balance of power to upset another. Navigating relations with India, China, and the U.S. requires pragmatic and rational considerations of national interest and risks, both in the short and in the long term.

About the Author:

Umme Salma Tarin is an Assistant Professor at Department of International Relations at Bangladesh University of Professionals and currently pursuing PhD at the University of Delaware. She can be reached at tarin@udel.edu .

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect The Insighta's editorial stance. However, any errors in the stated facts or figures may be corrected if supported by verifiable evidence.