Bangladesh goes Pak way

DNA Analysis

NEW DELHI: India, an ardent admirer of Bangladesh’s army-backed interim administration, has surprisingly remained silent over recent actions of the army regime in Bangladesh.

India’s indifference is even more shocking considering that Sheikh Hasina, long known as India’s well-wisher, is at the receiving end. The daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the ‘father of the nation’, is being charged with murder with an arrest warrant issued against her. She has been barred from returning home and on Sunday, was prevented from boarding a British Airways flight from London at the request of the interim administration.

Bangladesh’s chief interim administrator Fakhrrudin Ahmed claims he wants to clean up the mess made by politicians and is preparing the grounds to have an elected government in place. No one knows when polls will be announced in Bangladesh — it could take two years or longer, until required institutions and infrastructure are in place.

Under orders from the Bangladesh’s military regime, Ahmed wants to exile the two most prominent politicians — Sheikh Hasina and Begum Khaleda Zia.

It’s a scene reminiscent from the days when General Musharraf took over as the President of Pakistan. The people of Pakistan were delighted when he showed the door to their politicians. Things have, however, changed dramatically since then — the military regime has long outstayed its welcome.

The Bangladesh regime, which was once part of the Pakistan army, is taking a leaf out of Musharraf’s book. The general deposed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Benazir Bhutto, too, has been unable to return home as yet. History of military coup’s have shown that once the army tastes power, it is reluctant to go back to the barracks.

Yet, New Delhi has not spoken out against the state of affairs in Bangladesh. When asked to comment, official spokesman Navtej Sarna only said: “Your question has been noted.”

Not surprisingly, the British government has also backed the interim administrations’ request. It is known that India, US and Britain had together backed the army, which has now propped up a civilian administration which follows the army’s diktats.

However, despite making much noise about the value of democracy, New Delhi was delighted by the silent coup in Dhaka under the thin guise of civilian control. The army also sent a message to India that it was willing to work with New Delhi’s concerns about its security. India was overjoyed.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, along with US President George W Bush, is a prime mover of promoting democracy worldwide. In fact, the joint statement released by the two after their meeting in Washington stressed the point.

“Develop and support, through the new US-India Global Democracy Initiative, countries that seek such assistance, institutions and resources that strengthen the foundations that make democracies credible and effective. India and the US will work together to strengthen democratic practices and capacities and contribute to the new UN Democracy Fund.’’