Context

• The political developments in Bangladesh, particularly the violence against Hindus following the deposition of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, have once again raised concerns about the plight of religious minorities in South Asia.
• When examined in the broader context of the conditions faced minorities Pakistan and Bangladesh, the status of religious minorities across the subcontinent appears to have reached its lowest point since the Partition of British India in 1947.
• This ongoing issue is deeply rooted in the historical divisions that shaped the region and continues to be influenced by political trends in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.

 Partition and Its Enduring Impact

• Partition was expected to resolve the Hindu-Muslim question, but instead, it created long-term geopolitical and social complexities.
• The management of Partition, along with the political legacies it left behind, continues to fuel disputes and shape national identities.
• One of the most significant consequences has been the rise of hegemonic Hindutva nationalism in India, driven by the trauma and resentment of those who migrated during Partition.
• Similarly, the creation of Pakistan saw the emergence of socio-political categories like the Mohajirs, while Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 further complicated minority identities.
• Beyond Hindu-Muslim tensions, Partition also impacted other religious groups such as Sikhs and Christians, making the minority question crucial for the region’s stability.
• The fate of religious minorities in South Asia remains intertwined, requiring a more inclusive approach to ensure their protection and integration into their respective societies.

The Post-Partition Minority Question

• Following Partition, the large-scale displacement of people led to immediate concerns over the status of religious minorities in both India and Pakistan.
• Political leaders, including Syama Prasad Mookerjee and B.C. Roy, debated the possibility of a mass population exchange, similar to what was witnessed during Partition.
• Sardar Patel even proposed military action in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) to secure land for Hindu refugees, highlighting the urgency of the issue at that time.
• The 1950 Nehru-Liaquat Ali Pact was a crucial diplomatic effort aimed at ensuring minority rights and preventing further conflict.
• However, while the pact was praised in some quarters, receiving a positive response from Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper, it ultimately failed to safeguard the rights of Bengali Muslims in East Pakistan.
• The marginalisation of Bengali Muslims played a significant role in the creation of Bangladesh in 1971, proving that the two-nation theory did not entirely address the region’s religious and ethnic complexities.
• Instead, it led to the formation of three distinct nations, India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, each grappling with its own minority challenges.

India-Bangladesh Relations and the Hindu Minority Issue

• The Legacy of 1971 and Its Impact on Hindu Minorities
  • At the time of Bangladesh’s independence, Hindus made up a significant portion of its population.
  • Many had supported the Mukti Bahini (Bangladeshi liberation forces) and were seen as allies of India.
  • However, over the years, the Hindu population in Bangladesh has steadily declined, with reports of violence, forced conversions, and land seizures contributing to their migration to India.
  • The Vested Property Act, originally enacted by Pakistan and later continued in Bangladesh, allowed the state to seize properties belonging to Hindus who had fled, further exacerbating their marginalisation.
  • The violence against Hindus in Bangladesh often follows specific political patterns, intensifying around elections or in response to developments in India that impact Muslim sentiments.
• Recent Developments and Political Shifts
  • The deposition of Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 has raised fresh concerns about the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh.
  • Hasina’s government had, to some extent, maintained law and order regarding communal harmony, though not always effectively.
  • With her removal, there are fears that Islamist factions and hardline nationalist groups could gain more influence, leading to increased violence against minorities.
  • This uncertainty has made the Hindu issue a focal point in India-Bangladesh relations.
  • One key question is whether the violence against Hindus is politically motivated or indicative of a more systematic persecution.
  • Some analysts argue that attacks on Hindus are often politically orchestrated, used as a tool by opposition forces or extremist groups to destabilise the ruling government.
• India’s Strategic Dilemma
  • India has traditionally supported Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League due to their relatively secular stance and close cooperation with New Delhi on issues such as counter-terrorism and regional connectivity.
  • However, some critics argue that India has made a strategic mistake by focusing too much on Hasina’s leadership while neglecting broader engagement with Bangladeshi society and other democratic institutions.
  • By tying its relationship to a single political family, India risks losing influence if a new government with a different ideological stance comes to power.

The Way Forward: The Need for a Recalibrated Approach

• Given these complexities, India needs to recalibrate its approach toward Bangladesh, moving beyond its reliance on the Awami League and engaging more with Bangladeshi civil society, democratic institutions, and regional political groups.
• A broader engagement strategy would allow India to build stronger long-term relations with Bangladesh, irrespective of political changes.
• Moreover, India must adopt a more consistent and principled stance on minority rights across South Asia.
• If India only advocates for Hindus in Bangladesh while ignoring concerns about Muslims and other minorities in its own country, it risks fuelling religious polarisation and weakening its diplomatic credibility.

Conclusion

• The deteriorating status of religious minorities in Pakistan and Bangladesh is a significant challenge that demands urgent attention.
• While historical grievances continue to shape contemporary politics, it is essential to move beyond past conflicts and work towards building more inclusive societies.
• The region needs innovative policies and renewed political will to protect minority rights and ensure a peaceful coexistence.
• Only through such efforts can South Asia hope to transcend the divisions of the past and forge a more harmonious future.