Anarchy rules Bangladesh

The ouster of Sheikh Hasina by mass protests has plunged Bangladesh into a dangerous phase, one that India cannot afford to ignore. Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024, following a mass student-led uprising and military intervention. She resigned and fled the country, later seeking refuge in India. The student leader, Sharif Osman Hadi, a 32 year old activist was shot in Dhaka on December 12, 2025, while campaigning for the upcoming elections, and later died of his injuries in Singapore on December 18. His killing triggered widespread unrest, including mob attacks on newspapers and cultural institutions, and prompted the interim government under Muhammad Yunus to declare a day of mourning. In the political vacuum, hardline Islamist outfits-many with reported links to Pakistan’s ISI-appear to be regaining ground. Their resurgence is not merely a domestic challenge for Dhaka; it carries profound implications for India’s security architecture, particularly in the vulnerable Northeast. The “chicken neck,” the narrow Siliguri Corridor that connects the Northeast with the rest of India, has long been recognized as a strategic choke point. Any destabilization in Bangladesh that strengthens Pakistan’s leverage could expose this fragile landmass to heightened risks. Radical elements operating with external support may exploit porous borders, inflame communal tensions, and undermine stability in adjoining Indian states. India must therefore view Bangladesh’s unfolding crisis not as a distant upheaval but as a direct threat to its national security. Vigilance along the border, proactive diplomacy with Dhaka, and coordinated intelligence measures are imperative. At the same time, New Delhi must encourage Bangladesh’s moderates to reclaim political space, lest the country slide deeper into radicalism. Bangladesh’s turmoil is a reminder that instability in the neighborhood quickly reverberates across India’s frontiers. Bangladesh’s political landscape has entered a volatile phase following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, with Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus-long regarded as a left-of-centre idealist and seen by many as Washington’s preferred figure in Dhaka-struggling to contain mounting instability. Muhammad Yunus, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning economist best known for pioneering microfinance through the Grameen Bank, was appointed as the head of Bangladesh’s interim government after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster in August 2024. His reputation internationally has long been tied to development work and close ties with Western institutions, particularly Washington, which has often supported his initiatives. However, in Bangladesh’s highly polarized political climate, Yunus has faced accusations from different quarters. Some critics allege he is too aligned with Western interests, while others-especially opponents-have tried to paint him as compromised or influenced by external agencies like Pakistan’s ISI. These claims are politically charged and not substantiated with credible evidence. They reflect the deep mistrust and factionalism in Bangladesh’s politics rather than verifiable fact. Observers note that Yunus’s interim leadership, initially expected to steer the country toward reform and moderation, now appears increasingly vulnerable as hardline radical groups tighten their grip on the nation’s political and social fabric. The fragile balance of power has been further shaken by the recent violence raging across Dhakha which is being spearheaded the anti-Awami League movement directed against Hasina. It is quite likely that Bangladesh could become a country of interest for China and Pakistan and New Delhi has to take counter measures.