The ongoing crisis in Bangladesh has captured international attention, with many observers attributing it to external interference, particularly from Pakistan and its intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). The political turbulence in Bangladesh, marked by widespread student protests and subsequent governmental instability, is believed to be part of a broader geopolitical strategy involving multiple regional players. Recent evidence suggests that the Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS), the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, has played a crucial role in orchestrating the unrest, allegedly with the backing of Pakistan’s ISI.
Background and Context
Bangladesh has long been a battleground for various political and ideological forces, both domestic and international. The country’s political landscape is deeply polarised, with the ruling Awami League, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), often supported by Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami, being the primary contenders for power. The political rivalry between these groups has frequently led to periods of unrest and violence.
In recent years, Sheikh Hasina’s government has faced mounting challenges, including accusations of authoritarianism, corruption, and human rights abuses. These issues have provided fertile ground for opposition forces, both within Bangladesh and from neighboring countries, to exploit the situation for their own strategic interests. Pakistan, which has historically had a contentious relationship with Bangladesh since its independence in 1971, has been particularly active in seeking to influence the country’s political direction.
Role of Islami Chhatra Shibir
The Islami Chhatra Shibir (ICS) has emerged as a significant player in the ongoing crisis. As the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami, the ICS has a long history of radicalism and has been implicated in various acts of violence and unrest in Bangladesh. The group’s influence extends across several major universities, including Dhaka University, Chittagong University, Jahangir University, Sylhet University, and Rajshahi University. These institutions have become focal points for student-led protests, which have escalated in recent years, particularly around the issue of the controversial quota system for government jobs.
According to reports, ICS operatives have infiltrated these universities, using their positions to mobilise students and incite protests against the government. The protests, initially centered around legitimate grievances related to the quota system, quickly took on a more radical and violent character, with ICS members allegedly playing a key role in this transformation. The group’s activities have been linked to a broader strategy aimed at destabilising Sheikh Hasina’s government, with the ultimate goal of replacing it with a regime more favorable to Islamist interests.
Pakistan’s ISI and External Influence
The involvement of Pakistan’s ISI in Bangladesh’s internal affairs is a critical aspect of the current crisis. The ISI has a long history of meddling in the political affairs of its neighboring countries, often using proxy groups to achieve its objectives. In Bangladesh, the ISI has reportedly been providing support to Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, the ICS, as part of a strategy to weaken Sheikh Hasina’s government and create a more favorable political environment for Pakistan.
Reports indicate that the ISI’s involvement in the student protests has been multifaceted. In addition to providing financial and logistical support to the ICS, the ISI has also been involved in sophisticated information warfare tactics, including the creation of fake social media profiles to spread disinformation and incite unrest. These tactics have been instrumental in escalating the protests from peaceful demonstrations into violent confrontations with the authorities.
The ISI’s activities in Bangladesh are part of a broader geopolitical strategy that includes undermining India’s influence in the region. Sheikh Hasina’s government has maintained strong ties with India, particularly in areas of trade, security, and counter-terrorism. Pakistan, which views India as its primary regional rival, has a vested interest in weakening the Bangladesh-India relationship. By supporting Islamist groups like Jamaat-e-Islami and the ICS, the ISI hopes to create instability in Bangladesh, thereby complicating India’s strategic interests in the region.
Military’s Role and Sheikh Hasina’s Resignation
The depth of foreign involvement in Bangladesh’s crisis became glaringly evident when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign abruptly. According to reports, the military gave her only 45 minutes to step down and flee the country, a move that underscores the severity of the crisis and the extent of external influence. This dramatic turn of events highlights the vulnerability of the Bangladeshi government to both internal and external pressures.
Sheikh Hasina’s resignation has been interpreted by many as a victory for the opposition forces, particularly those aligned with Jamaat-e-Islami and the ICS. However, it has also raised serious concerns about the future stability of Bangladesh. The military’s involvement in her removal suggests that the crisis has reached a critical point, with the potential for further escalation if a resolution is not found.
Connections between ICS and ISI
The connections between the Islami Chhatra Shibir and Pakistan’s ISI are well-documented. Reports indicate that ICS members have traveled to Pakistan for training and ideological indoctrination, further strengthening the ties between the two entities. This relationship is part of a broader network of Islamist groups across South Asia that have been supported by the ISI in its efforts to promote radicalism and destabilize governments perceived as hostile to Pakistan’s interests.
The ISI’s support for the ICS is not just about creating chaos in Bangladesh; it is also part of a larger strategy to influence the country’s political future. By backing Islamist groups, the ISI hopes to create a political environment in Bangladesh that is more aligned with Pakistan’s strategic interests, particularly in relation to India. This includes promoting anti-India sentiment, which has been a key feature of the ICS’s activities in recent years.
‘India Out’ Campaign
The rise of the ‘India Out’ campaign in Bangladesh, particularly following Sheikh Hasina’s return to power, is another indication of the broader geopolitical maneuvering at play. The campaign, which sought to portray India as an enemy of Bangladesh, is widely believed to have been orchestrated by Islamist groups with the backing of Pakistan’s ISI. The campaign gained traction among certain segments of the population, particularly those who felt marginalised or disillusioned by the government’s policies.
The ‘India Out’ campaign is a clear example of how external actors can exploit domestic grievances to further their own strategic objectives. By promoting anti-India sentiment, the ISI and its proxies in Bangladesh aim to weaken the close relationship between Dhaka and New Delhi, thereby advancing Pakistan’s regional agenda. This strategy has been somewhat successful in creating divisions within Bangladesh, although it remains to be seen how much impact it will have on the country’s long-term political landscape.
Operation Regime Change
Intelligence reports suggest that the blueprint for what has been described as Operation Regime Change was crafted in London, with the involvement of the ISI, and executed in Bangladesh. The operation aimed to destabilize Sheikh Hasina’s government and replace it with one more favorable to Pakistan’s interests. Central to this plan were meetings between Tarique Rahman, the acting chief of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, and ISI operatives in Saudi Arabia.
These meetings are believed to have laid the groundwork for a coordinated effort to destabilize the Bangladeshi government. By leveraging the BNP’s discontent with Sheikh Hasina’s administration and the Islamist groups’ influence over the student population, the ISI sought to create a perfect storm of unrest and political instability. The forced resignation of Sheikh Hasina was seen as a critical step in this plan, paving the way for the BNP’s return to power.
The crisis in Bangladesh is a complex interplay of geopolitical interests involving Pakistan’s ISI, its allies in Bangladesh, and foreign interference. The Islami Chhatra Shibir has emerged as a central player in this crisis, with its radical activities and student mobilization reflecting broader regional tensions. The situation underscores the significant impact that external forces can have on domestic politics, leading to governmental instability and shifts in political power.
As Bangladesh navigates this turbulent period, the role of external actors like Pakistan will continue to be scrutinised. The future of Bangladesh’s political landscape remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the country is at a critical juncture, with the potential for significant changes in its governance and regional alignments.
The writer is an author and columnist and has written several books. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18’s views.
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