Jumbangla Desk: Former Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina will fall, India already knew. This was said by Pinak Ranjan Chakraborty in an interview given to Indian Express. He was once the High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh.
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In the interview, Pinak said, did we know that such an incident would happen in Bangladesh on August 5? But the question is whether Sheikh Hasina was aware of her downfall or not. I think he didn't expect such a thing to happen. If you stay in power for 15 years, you will feel that everything is fine.
In an interview to Indian Express' diplomatic affairs editor Shubojit Roy, he said, "I thought the protests would subside after the Supreme Court made the quota ratio 7 percent." More than 300 people were killed during the protests. The protesters then came back with 9-point demands. They demanded the resignation of some ministers and police commissioners, among other demands. Why they make these (claims), though, is a mystery.
Pinak Ranjan said, Meanwhile, Hasina definitely did not agree to dismiss her ministers, then they started rioting again. This time a very effective force supports them. I think other influences were at work here — most of them foreign and some domestic.
Why it took such a political form that there were even demands for the resignation of the Prime Minister - he said, this is also an (important) question. I would say, the army deposed him by refusing to protect him. They informed (Hasina) that they will not fire on the protestors.
On India's relationship with the Bangladesh government during Hasina's time, Pinak Ranjan said, India's problem with the previous BNP-Jamaat government was security issues and their alliance with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). BNP has always been a little right-wing and pro-Pakistan. The Jamaat, of course, has always been pro-Pakistan, though they now claim to be different. BNPO claims, they have changed.
He said that after Sheikh Hasina came to power in 2009, Bangladesh soil should not be used against Indian security interests. He did all the expected work. Leaders of the United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) were handed over to India. Sheikh Hasina confirmed that the camp of the rebels has been uprooted and (they) have been handed over. So from that point of view Hasina is one of the most important people for us, who fulfills (India's needs) in terms of security.
Sheikh Hasina also understood that it would be better to fully cooperate with India from the economic point of view. I remember how Hasina first told me that she needed electricity from India. This is how the grid connection project began. Today we supply about 1,200 MW of electricity. We also plan to build a pipeline from Numaligarh refinery to North Bangladesh to supply diesel and petroleum products, which will help our economy by fueling boats and other riverine cargoes. Being a riverine country, boats and cargo can travel everywhere. '
Pinak Ranjan raised the issue of economic aspects and quota system in the interview about the birth of discontent against Sheikh Hasina.
Dr. Regarding the interim government led by Yunus, he said, this government consists of different types of people. There is a leader of the far-right party Hefazat Islam. Then there are BNP sympathizers. There is Professor Yunus, he is a big, internationally known personality. I would say, he is very anti-Hasina and she (Hasina) filed several cases against him. For example, embezzlement cases.
Pinak Ranjan said, My concern is, can they (different departments of the government) work together? All of them can pull the government in different directions. There are two student leaders on the advisory council and apparently, two students are appointed to oversee each ministry. Of course, there are some hints here. For example, Professor Yunus said, we must revive the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
He also said that he would like Bangladesh to get a chance to join ASEAN. But eventually reality will bite you. All things remain the same: Hindus are attacked, unfortunately they are seen as Awami League supporters. The same thing happened after the BNP-Jamaat government came to power in 2001. '
The issue of Sheikh Hasina's presence in India also came up in the interview. 'Sheikh Hasina was here before, from 1975 to 1981, when her entire family was killed as part of a political conspiracy. He's back again. Does he have a future as a political leader of Awami League? I would say, we cannot rule out the possibility of Awami League being reorganized. They are not a team that will disappear. They will participate in the next elections. '
Pinak Ranjan said, will Hasina go back? He will face prosecution and investigation and they may send him to jail. As has been done with Khaleda Zia, the fear of revenge politics is high. But the Awami League will create a new leader? All these are just possibilities. Whether Hasina will stay here or not is her matter. I don't think Indian government will expel him.
On August 5, Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a coup by students. He then fled to India. It is known that he is still there.