Rahman, while attacking Sheikh Hasina and warning against ‘hegemonic powers’, also appealed for calm. ‘We must ensure safety of all ages, classes, professions, and religions,’ he said.
Call between Bangladesh’s chief adviser & US Ambassador to India & Special Envoy for South & Central Asia comes after days of violence following death of Sharif Osman Hadi.
The attack on Chhayanaut, newspaper offices, and the public lynching of a Hindu man show that Bangladesh is heading toward Islamist rule, far removed from electoral democracy.
Attack on Osman Hadi resulted in escalation of anti-India rhetoric after unsubstantiated reports claimed his shooters fled to India. Properties linked to Awami League also vandalised.
Hasina fled to India on 5 Aug after protests, which began as a student-led movement against public sector job quotas, escalated into some of the deadliest unrest, resulting in over 700 deaths.
Bangladeshi prof Ali Riaz is currently teaching at US's Illinois State University. He is also an author, ex-journalist & consultant for several international organisations.
On 29 May 1951, Jawaharlal Nehru defended adding 'reasonable restrictions' to Article 19, arguing that free speech must be balanced with national security and unity.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
Mr Yunus is one step of calling her back so that she can rectify the situation ! *sarcasm*