Hindutva, Propaganda and the Rising Tensions Between India and Bangladesh

The relationship between India and Bangladesh has become increasingly hostile, particularly due to the growing influence of Hindutva ideologies in India, claims of religious persecution against Muslims and the rising anti-Bangladesh narratives being propagated by certain Indian political factions. These issues have intensified regional tensions, with consequences both domestically within India and for Bangladesh on the international stage.

Hindutva Organizations and Their Impact on India-Bangladesh Relations

The rise of Hindutva, an ideology that promotes the cultural and political dominance of Hindus, has led to the formation of several organizations in India that play a significant role in shaping the narrative against Bangladesh. These include the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Bajrang Dal, and Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), which advocate for Hindu supremacy and have been linked to the spread of anti-Bangladesh sentiment.

These organizations actively perpetuate the idea that Bangladesh, under its Muslim-majority population, is a threat to Hindu identity and that Hindus in Bangladesh face severe persecution. They use various platforms—social media, religious gatherings, and political discourse—to spread misinformation, portraying Bangladesh as a failed state where Hindus are oppressed, despite evidence of Bangladesh's secular constitution and laws protecting religious minorities.

Muslim Persecution and Its Role in Propaganda

The persecution of Muslims within India is a significant issue often overlooked by nationalist narratives that focus on the fabricated oppression of Hindus in Bangladesh. Since the BJP’s rise to power in 2014, Muslims in India have increasingly faced violence, discrimination, and social exclusion. According to data from the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), incidents of anti-Muslim violence, including lynchings and hate crimes, have surged, particularly in states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. The 2002 Gujarat riots, which claimed over 1,000 Muslim lives, remain a stark reminder of the deep-rooted communal tensions. Since then, BJP’s policies have allowed for greater marginalization of Muslims, including controversial moves like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which critics argue discriminates against Muslims, and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) process in Assam, which disproportionately targets Muslim communities.

In contrast, Hindutva rhetoric manipulates narratives about Bangladesh, often exaggerating the oppression of Hindus, despite the country’s track record of promoting secularism and religious freedom. This distortion serves the dual purpose of rallying Hindu votes within India while deflecting attention from internal issues such as the rising tide of Hindu nationalism, growing Islamophobia, and systemic marginalization of Muslims. The climate of hate and fear cultivated by these narratives further entrenches communal divisions, normalizing the marginalization of Muslim communities within India.

BJP's Anti-Bangladesh Rhetoric: Political, Ideological and Strategic Motives

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies have increasingly targeted Bangladesh with hate-driven propaganda, using it for political, ideological, and strategic purposes. The BJP capitalizes on anti-Bangladesh rhetoric to rally Hindu voters, particularly in border states, by portraying Bangladesh as a "Muslim threat." This plays into the Hindutva narrative, framing Bangladesh’s secularism as a challenge to Hindu identity. Regionally, India may view Bangladesh’s rising influence as a threat to its dominance, while domestically, such tactics distract from India's internal issues like economic struggles and minority rights violations. Moreover, the BJP seeks to undermine Bangladesh's global reputation, portraying it as intolerant, which serves both economic and diplomatic objectives. However, these tactics risk eroding trust, destabilizing the region and straining long-standing diplomatic ties between India and Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Assistant High Commission Attack: Rising Hostility

In the latest wave of hostility, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala was attacked, and the Bangladeshi national flag was burned by protesters. This was allegedly in response to the government's handling of religious minorities in Bangladesh, further fueled by misinformation spread by Hindutva organizations. While the Indian government condemned the attack on the diplomatic mission, the violent demonstrations reflect the growing influence of these extremist groups and the wider anti-Bangladesh sentiment that India’s ruling party, the BJP, indirectly supports.

This attack marks a disturbing trend of cross-border tensions, where nationalistic fervor spills over into violence against diplomatic institutions, which undermines bilateral relations. India’s complicity, whether intentional or as a result of failure to curb extremist elements, only serves to deepen the divide between the two countries.

The Role of Dr. Yunus’s Administration and India’s Undermining of Bangladesh

Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh's interim leader, represents an alternative vision for the country’s future—focused on economic development, microfinance and social justice. However, his administration has faced resistance from India, which perceives his policies as aligning too closely with Western ideals and international bodies. Dr. Yunus's global prominence in the field of social entrepreneurship is seen as both an asset and a liability, as India prefers a government in Bangladesh that aligns more with its strategic interests.

India’s reluctance to acknowledge important events in Bangladesh's history, such as the July Revolution, is indicative of its desire to downplay Bangladesh’s independence narrative, which challenges Indian hegemonic aspirations. Additionally, the idea of Bangladesh as a sovereign, independent nation is increasingly under attack through both internal political pressure and external influence.

India's Strategic Goals: Hiding Internal Struggles Through External Hostility

Many analysts argue that India's focus on amplifying anti-Bangladesh sentiment is a strategic move to distract from its internal challenges. India is grappling with multiple crises: economic instability, rising unemployment, communal violence and widespread discontent. By targeting Bangladesh as an external enemy, the BJP can rally nationalist sentiments, strengthen its base among Hindu voters and divert attention away from domestic issues.

This approach also fits within India’s broader geopolitical strategy to assert dominance over its neighbors, including Bangladesh. By undermining Bangladesh's international standing, India can further isolate its neighbor, making it harder for Bangladesh to seek meaningful alliances or develop independent diplomatic relations outside India’s sphere of influence.

Countering Hostility: Bangladesh’s Diplomatic Strategy

In response to this escalating hostility, Bangladesh must strengthen its diplomatic efforts and seek strategic partnerships on the global stage. Key areas of focus include:

1. China: Expanding ties with China provides Bangladesh with an economic alternative to India. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), Bangladesh can boost infrastructure development and trade, reducing its dependency on India for economic growth.
2. United States and EU: Strengthening relations with the U.S. and European countries will help Bangladesh secure critical diplomatic and economic support. These alliances offer leverage in global forums, particularly in matters of human rights, religious freedoms, and democratic governance, areas where Bangladesh can set itself apart from India’s increasingly authoritarian model.
3. ASEAN and BIMSTEC: Bangladesh should deepen ties with regional organizations such as ASEAN and BIMSTEC, which include key countries in Southeast Asia and South Asia. By promoting regional cooperation, Bangladesh can reduce India’s ability to dominate the regional discourse and present itself as a unifying force in the region.
4. Global Advocacy: Bangladesh can use its diplomatic channels to present a counter-narrative to India’s portrayal of the country. By promoting its inclusive, secular policies and highlighting its efforts to protect religious minorities, Bangladesh can position itself as a stable and progressive nation, despite the regional propaganda against it.
5. Highlighting Internal Struggles Within India: Bangladesh can also bring attention to the human rights abuses and rising intolerance within India itself. By framing the conversation in global forums as a discussion about religious freedom and human rights violations, Bangladesh can shift the focus away from fabricated anti-Bangladesh rhetoric and towards India’s own internal issues.

Navigating a Hostile Regional Landscape

The increasing hostility from India, driven by Hindutva ideologies and the exploitation of religious narratives, poses a significant challenge for Bangladesh. However, by leveraging strategic global partnerships, strengthening regional cooperation and promoting its own track record on human rights and democracy, Bangladesh can resist the growing wave of hostility. Furthermore, by exposing the contradictions within India's domestic and foreign policies, Bangladesh can assert its position as a sovereign and progressive nation in the international arena.