Will the changes in Bangladesh cause a headache for India?

The anti-reservation student protest that has been going on for two months in Bangladesh has grown into a popular protest and has overthrown the government itself. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her family members fled the country and sought refuge in India shortly before a large crowd of protestors stormed into the Prime Minister's official residence. She is planning to seek political asylum in Britain. Even her staunchest enemies might not have expected such a tragic setback for Hasina, who has been ruling Bangladesh continuously since 2009. Sheikh Hasina's political downfall serves as a reminder that power and the throne can disappear in no time.

The government's move to impose a thirty per cent reservation in government jobs for the descendants of those who participated in the 1971 Bangladesh liberation struggle resulted in the student riots. While the riots were beginning to subside following a Supreme Court order, the opposition and terrorist organisations came together demanding Hasina's resignation. With the indirect support of major powers, including China, the agitation turned to violence. It is ironic that Sheikh Hasina, who led Bangladesh to great progress for two decades, had to step down as Prime Minister due to public protest. The fact that Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Mujibur Rahman, who won the independence for Bangladesh, had to flee from her homeland is another cruel twist of fate.

Earlier this year, Hasina was elected as the Prime Minister for the fourth time through an election, which was boycotted by the opposition parties, including BNP. The opposition parties had been hatching plans to oust her from power right from the time of the elections. With Sheikh Hasina fleeing Bangladesh, the Army has taken over the control of the country. Chief of Army Staff Wakar-uz-Zaman has announced that the army will not hang on to power and will form an interim government with representation from all parties as soon as possible. It is hoped that the military leadership will not indulge in dirty power games.

The political developments in Bangladesh will create a major headache for India. Bangladesh was very friendly with India during Sheikh Hasina's time. India had taken a special interest in helping Bangladesh in every possible way, which was rushing towards prosperity.

The political uncertainty and regime change in Bangladesh, which shares a border of more than 4500 km with India, is not a small threat to India. Many of the opposition parties there are not only unsympathetic towards India but also see India as an enemy. One can only imagine how much trouble the rise of another hostile country in the neighbourhood would create. The role played by Jamaat-e-Islami, which harbours extremist ideas, in the current agitations should be viewed with suspicion. Although this organization was banned during Hasina's regime, they were also seen at the forefront during the anti-government agitation. They played a significant role in giving radical character to the agitation. The political changes in Bangladesh will pose a challenge to India's foreign policy. Pakistan is almost completely under Chinese influence. There is huge Chinese investment in Bangladesh as well. This is also a challenge for India. Political stability in neighbouring countries is also a problem affecting our security.