Bangladesh in Turmoil: MSO Raises Concerns Over Political Crisis, External Interference

MSO chairman Shujaat Ali Quadri has expressed serious concerns over Bangladesh's political instability following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina. Quadri suggested external influence is behind the unrest. He urged India's government to protect Bangladesh's minorities and called on the future Bangladeshi government to prevent attacks on minority communities.

Shujaat Ali Quadri, chairman of the Muslim Students Organisation of India (MSO), has voiced significant concerns regarding the escalating political turmoil in Bangladesh after the recent dissolution of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's government. Quadri highlighted that current riots are being incited by an external adversary, which he referred to as a 'White Man.'

Citing Hasina's earlier interview, Quadri claimed these riots were orchestrated by enemies of the state. 'The way Sheikh Hasina's government was pressured into disbandment indicates that this act was driven by Bangladesh's adversaries, previously hinted at by Hasina herself,' he stated.

Quadri further alleged that a 'White Man' had contacted the former Bangladeshi PM with several demands, including building a foreign airbase. When Hasina declined, efforts to destabilize the government were instigated, culminating in fabricated protests, Quadri added. During his interview with ANI, Quadri attributed the protests to the reservation issue, resolved by the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in 2018.

According to him, a carefully mobilized mob was orchestrated to create chaos and unseat the government. The unrest was fueled by misleading social media posts showcasing doctored images and videos portraying Hasina as a 'dictator.' He also pointed out that numerous bot accounts on 'X' were deployed to smear Hasina's image using copy-paste propaganda. Quadri condemned the violence against minorities, noting Hasina's previous efforts to protect Hindu minorities under her governance of non-violence and tolerance, which may change under a radical future government.

Quadri emphasized that the shift of power to radical forces is a regional and global concern. 'I strongly condemn this and urge the Indian government to take steps to protect minorities in Bangladesh. We also call on the incoming Bangladeshi administration to cease attacks on minorities and safeguard their properties and pilgrimage sites,' Quadri contended.

Bangladesh faces a volatile political landscape with Sheikh Hasina resigning on August 5 amid rising protests, primarily led by students challenging the government's job quota system. The demonstrations evolved into anti-government protests. Hasina arrived in India following her resignation. On Tuesday, President Mohammed Shahabuddin declared the dissolution of parliament to pave the way for an interim government, as reported by the Dhaka Tribune.

Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was appointed head of Bangladesh's interim administration, while Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader Khaleda Zia was released from jail, according to reports by ANI.

(With inputs from agencies.)