Islamists Urge Bangladesh to Adopt Security Doctrine to Counter India, Target Awami League Policies

In an unexpected development, Islamist factions in Bangladesh, reportedly aligned with the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government, are calling for a comprehensive national security doctrine to fortify the country's military against potential threats from neighboring India. This push reflects the growing tensions among political factions and their discontent with policies attributed to the former Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government.

The demand for a new security doctrine surfaced prominently during a public forum where Mahmudur Rahman, editor of the Bangladeshi daily Amar Desh, voiced concerns about the current state of the army’s leadership. Rahman, a vocal critic of the Awami League, accused the party of weakening the military’s independence and fostering an environment allegedly guided by India’s interests. According to him, this undermines the country’s ability to act decisively in safeguarding national sovereignty.

Calls for an Independent-Minded Military Leadership

Rahman’s rhetoric underscores a broader Islamist agenda to establish an independent military leadership, free from what they perceive as undue Indian influence. The Islamists argue that fostering a leadership with an autonomous vision is critical to ensuring Bangladesh’s national security and geopolitical interests. This aligns with their longstanding narrative of opposing any form of political or military dependency on India, which has historically played a significant role in shaping Bangladesh’s post-1971 trajectory.

Criticism of Awami League Policies

The demands go beyond military reforms. Rahman has sharply criticized the Awami League for allegedly compromising national interests through agreements signed with India during Sheikh Hasina’s tenure. He has called for these agreements, signed since 2009, to be made public, suggesting they might have undermined Bangladesh’s strategic autonomy. This reflects a broader concern among Islamists and opposition factions about Bangladesh’s close ties with India under the Awami League.

Targeting Awami League's Legacy

The Islamists’ agenda appears to include erasing symbols of the Awami League's influence from Bangladesh’s national identity. Rahman has demanded a ban on the student wing of the Awami League, which he claims has been instrumental in supporting the party’s dominance. Additionally, he has called for renaming Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka—currently named after Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the country’s founding leader and Sheikh Hasina’s father—after Shaheed Abrar, a university student who was murdered in 2019 and whose death sparked national outrage.

Similarly, Rahman has proposed renaming the Jamuna Bridge, a major infrastructure project, after Shaheed Abu Sayeed, further signaling an effort to rewrite national symbols associated with the Awami League’s legacy.

Opposition to Saima Wazed’s WHO Nomination

Another key demand from the Islamists is the withdrawal of Saima Wazed’s nomination as regional director for the World Health Organization’s South-East Asia Region. Saima, Sheikh Hasina’s daughter, is seen as a prominent figure within the Awami League’s extended influence. Opponents argue that her nomination reflects dynastic politics and consolidates the party's clout on the international stage.

Wider Implications for Bangladesh-India Relations

The Islamists’ push for a new security doctrine and their broader political demands reflect a shift in Bangladesh’s internal discourse. While India has historically been a critical partner for Bangladesh in areas like trade, water-sharing, and counter-terrorism, Islamist factions perceive this relationship as imbalanced and detrimental to Bangladesh’s sovereignty.

If such demands gain traction, they could strain Dhaka-Delhi relations, particularly if the interim government adopts policies aligning with the Islamists’ agenda. The call for a stronger, independent military could also reshape regional dynamics, potentially complicating India’s strategic interests in South Asia.

Conclusion

The demands made by Islamist factions signal an intensifying political battle in Bangladesh, with significant implications for the country’s internal stability and external relations. As the interim government navigates this turbulent phase, it remains to be seen how these demands will influence policy decisions and whether they will exacerbate divisions within Bangladesh’s political and military establishment. The outcome could redefine the nation's trajectory and its position in the South Asian geopolitical landscape.