Manmohan Singh's comment on Bangladesh raises eyebrows
He stated in an interaction with editors that 25% of that country's
population was 'anti-Indian'
The branding of a quarter of Bangladesh's population as "anti-Indian"
by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has raised diplomatic eyebrows here.
Former diplomats found it intriguing that during his interaction with
editors here on Wednesday, Dr. Singh, who is usually very careful with
his words, chose to conclude his generally positive remarks on
Bangladesh by observing that "we must reckon that at least 25 per cent
of the population of Bangladesh swears by the Jamiat-ul-Islami (sic)
and they are very anti-Indian and they are in the clutches, many times
of the ISI."
They also took umbrage at his observations that followed — "the
political landscape in Bangladesh can change anytime. We do not know
what these terrorist elements, which have a hold on the
Jamiat-e-Islami (sic) elements in Bangladesh, can be up to."
"I do not agree that 25 per cent population of Bangladesh supports the
Jamiat-e-Islami. If you look at the votes they had polled in the last
elections, it does not reflect so, although they contested elections
along with the right-wing Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) of Begum
Khaleda Zia," said a close observer of politics in Bangladesh.
Not proper: Veena Sikri
India's former High Commissioner in Dhaka Veena Sikri was more
forthright. "I don't think it is proper to describe people of another
country in this manner," she said while contextualising the BNP's
stand. "The BNP says the interests of Bangladesh are not served by
India. Sheikh Hasina on the other hand seeks to promote friendship
because she feels friendship with India is in Bangladesh's interest."
On Dr. Singh's assertion that a quarter of the people of Bangladesh
swore by the Jamiat, Ms. Sikri wondered where the figure had come
from.
"One third of the votes go to the BNP and an equal number to the Awami
League. Of the remaining 33 per cent, most of it is the floating vote
that looks at issues independently. I don't think you can say that 25
per cent are anti-Indian. Does it mean most of BNP's voters feel that
way? One can't categorise in this manner just as one can't do the same
with the people of Pakistan. Regimes and institutions can be
characterised like this, not the people."
The influence of the ISI, which has been trying to regain its hold
since the early days of an independent Bangladesh, was strong under
earlier regimes. But institutions such as the Bangladesh Army or the
Directorate General of Forces Intelligence, unlike the Pakistani ones,
are very sensitive to public opinion.
'They want a better life'
"When during the days of the army-led Caretaker Government, they saw
public opinion in favour of elections; they did a good job with them.
Certainly there is a big effort by the ISI to get back their
pre-partition influence. But the question is what do the people of
Bangladesh want? They desire a better life and many of them see that
happening by nurturing good ties with India," said the veteran
diplomat.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2148355.ece
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