Escalating Security Concerns in Bangladesh Due to Release of Extremists: MEA

Synopsis

India is increasingly worried about the deteriorating law and order situation in Bangladesh, worsened by the release of violent extremists. The interim government has faced criticism for its actions, particularly regarding minority safety and development cooperation.

Key Takeaways

India is concerned about Bangladesh's deteriorating security.
Release of violent extremists has intensified issues.
Interim government criticized for acquitting extremists.
Attacks on minorities are escalating.
Development cooperation affected by current climate.

New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) India expressed its concerns regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in neighboring Bangladesh, which has been further intensified by the release of violent extremists previously convicted for serious offenses.

The interim government in Bangladesh, led by Muhammad Yunus, has faced significant criticism for its decision to acquit extremist individuals and clear many Islamists of charges since the Awami League government, under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, fell in August 2024.

During a media briefing in New Delhi on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We support a stable, peaceful, inclusive, and progressive Bangladesh where all matters are resolved through democratic channels and inclusive elections. We remain troubled by the worsening law and order situation, exacerbated by the release of violent extremists who were sentenced for serious crimes."

As Bangladesh deteriorated following the collapse of the Sheikh Hasina administration, the Yunus government has been accused of granting leniency to Islamist factions and significantly loosening the mandatory security clearance needed for Pakistani nationals applying for visas, thereby allowing numerous notorious terror suspects, who had previously sought refuge in Pakistan, to return.

With no resolution to the ongoing attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, especially targeting the Hindu and Ahmadiyya communities, the MEA reiterated the critical issue and highlighted the interim government’s ineffective investigations that have yet to yield substantive results.

"We have consistently emphasized that it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh interim government to safeguard Hindus, other minorities, their properties, and places of worship. To date, only 1254 out of 2374 reported incidents between August 5, 2024, and February 16, 2025, have been authenticated by the police. Additionally, 98 percent of these confirmed incidents were classified as political. We expect Bangladesh to conduct thorough investigations and ensure justice for all acts of violence, including killings and arson, without making distinctions," stated the MEA spokesperson.

Jaiswal acknowledged that development cooperation, a key area of bilateral relations, has been affected by the current circumstances in Bangladesh.

"Development cooperation is vital to our relations with the people of Bangladesh. The recent security climate and persistent local issues have hindered the progress of certain projects. Official discussions have thus focused on streamlining the project portfolio and executing mutually agreed projects within specified timelines. Subject to the necessary support and approvals from the Bangladesh side, we intend to advance these initiatives," Jaiswal mentioned regarding a recent meeting on development cooperation between the two nations.