Bangladesh is being systematically pushed towards destruction by radical and communal forces, a former minister from the country has issued a stark warning. Mohammad Ali Arafat, who served as a state minister and is a member of parliament from the ruling Awami League, stated that these elements are actively working to dismantle the nation's secular and democratic foundations.
A Direct Appeal for Indian Support
In a significant statement, Arafat directly appealed to India, Bangladesh's powerful neighbour, to continue its support for Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. He emphasized that backing the current administration is crucial for maintaining stability and countering the threat posed by extremist groups. Arafat made these remarks during an interview with India's state broadcaster, Doordarshan, on a recent Sunday.
The former minister argued that the radical forces are not only a domestic threat but also aim to disrupt the historically strong and friendly relations between Bangladesh and India. He suggested that their ultimate goal is to create a chaotic environment that serves their ideological interests, at the cost of the nation's progress and harmony.
The Internal Battle for Bangladesh's Soul
Arafat, who represents the Dhaka-17 constituency, provided a detailed analysis of the internal political struggle. He framed the upcoming political challenges as a clear-cut battle between two opposing visions for Bangladesh. On one side stands the forces of development, secularism, and democracy, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Arrayed against them are the radical and communal elements, which he claims are orchestrating a campaign of violence and misinformation.
"They are carrying out arson attacks and killing people in the name of movement," Arafat stated, condemning the tactics employed by the opposition. He accused these groups of exploiting democratic processes and movements to hide their true, destructive agenda. Their strategy, according to him, involves creating instability to erode public trust in the government and its development-oriented policies.
Why India's Role is Considered Critical
The call for Indian support is rooted in both geopolitical reality and shared history. Arafat reminded the audience of India's crucial role in Bangladesh's liberation war in 1971. He positioned the current struggle as an extension of that same fight to preserve the nation's core identity. The former minister expressed concern that if the radical forces succeed, it would not only be a disaster for Bangladesh but could also have severe repercussions for regional security and India's own interests.
He urged the Indian leadership and its people to see beyond short-term political calculations and recognize the existential nature of the threat. Supporting the Hasina government, in his view, is synonymous with supporting peace, secularism, and continued economic growth in South Asia. The warning serves as a sobering assessment of the pressures facing a key Indian ally and the potential for increased radicalization on its borders.
The interview underscores the high-stakes political environment in Bangladesh, where the ruling party is framing its governance as a bulwark against extremism. Arafat's public appeal to India highlights the international dimensions of this domestic political contest and the perceived need for external validation and support in what is portrayed as a fight for the nation's future.
