New Delhi [India], August 5 (ANI): Vidya Bhushan Soni, former Indian Ambassador to Bangladesh, has said that the overall situation in Bangladesh is unfortunately very tragic and that it was coming.
Soni said that the reservations were okay to a certain extent, but as Hasina increased share for one group and you excluded others.
“If you push the agenda too far, people are not going to accept it because it affects daily life of an average Bangladeshi in that case. Like what she introduced was this reservation in the jobs for the so called warriors of independence war,” he said.
Soni added that the protests were coming, but Hasina could not see it because she was overconfident.
“Maybe she [Hasina] was overconfident because first of all, she has been there for 15 years. There are no democratic voices of opposition encouraged. And so on top of that, she was trying to impose her own will.”
Soni predicted that the economy of Bangladesh would stumble now.
“The saving grace is that the economy is not doing that badly, but it is going to be affected now. But during her tenure [that lasted] 15 years or so, it was doing comparatively better than it was expected,” he said.
Soni added that people think about the future of the country and without any opposition, they feel uncomfortable.
“People do not live by bread alone because they feel, what is the future of the country if there is no opposition, if only one party predominates? That is the problem. People want an alternative. Without that alternative, they would not be comfortable because unless there is a competition or there is a pressure from the opposition, like pretty much like what is happening in India. So there is no lively discussion taking place in Bangladesh. And she [Hasina] didn’t pay any heed to that,” he said.
He added that violence should not increase as common Bangladeshis must not suffer.
“I hope it doesn’t lead to further violence because the important thing is the common Bangladeshi citizen doesn’t suffer. And secondly, there should not be mob violence on the streets, no targeting. These are the things which we are very concerned. Unfortunate, but they should have been prepared for that. They didn’t heed the warning and that’s what it has led to it.”
He added that he hoped that the protests will be contained, and there will be an alternative, at least for the interim period before the regular political process starts.
He said, “It is definitely a grave implication for India because this was one part of our neighborhood. Sheikh Hasina was well disposed towards us. Prime Minister Modi built a personal rapport between Hasina… Misguided people, would think that India was supporting her and that’s why she survived for so long. But that’s not the reality. So we have to send… right signals that India has nothing to do [with Bangladesh’s situation]. India has no role… because we believe non-interference from outside sources. And there is no question that India has any contributing role in what she did. So we would like calmness to return, political process to start, normalcy we restored because Bangladesh army, I think for the time being, it seems it doesn’t have any ambitions. You see, up till now, for the last few years, one didn’t get the impression that they are trying to take the centre stage or trying to upstate the parliamentary democracy and the politician.”
Soni said that as the Bangladesh army chief said that there will be an opposition-dictated alliance.
“The army chief has announced that there’s going to be a coalition of opposition parties that will be brought in. And if that happens, and if they are able to iron out their differences, then the army will not [rule]. But if… there is a tension between the opposition forces, then the army may be tempted to jump in and take a role which will then impregnate them in the system. And once they taste power and everything which goes with it, then it will be difficult to put them in the barracks,” he said.
He added that India must seal its borders.
“So India will ensure that our borders are secure because… immediately after this thing happened, our forces are on alert that this doesn’t come over to our side. We want good things for Bangladesh. We want peace, normalcy and good economic progress for the people… We will support any democratic process, any democratic force that comes into place. We have no identification with Sheikh Hasina. We like to deal with them in a normal way, which is our policy of non-interference and not taking any sides in this issue,” he said.
Robinder Sachdeva, Foreign Expert, said that in view of Bangladesh crisis, Indian borders must be sealed so that people don’t enter India illegally.
“I think with regards to India and our perspective, it is a matter of worry that there is instability in our neighborhood country. We have to take some steps, no doubt including, youknow, our borders should be immediately sealed because it can be expected that with this turmoil happening in Bangladesh, refugees, asylum seekers would come to India and in them, many of them could be extremist elements,” Sachdeva said.
He said that the protests were waiting to happen as there were many issues that concern the youth.
“Sheikh Hasina has ruled with an iron fist and in the last elections, the opposition parties did not participate. So there has been, a restriction of the democratic space in Bangladesh. Jobs, corruption, unemployment and issues like quotas for youth in the government jobs. So this was waiting to happen. It was a ticking time bomb in Bangladesh,” Sachdeva added.
Protestors in Bangladesh stormed the Prime Minister’s official residence on Monday, shortly after Sheikh Hasina tendered her resignation and left the country accompanied by her sister. (ANI)
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