PM Sheikh Hasina Condemns 'India Boycott' Call In Bangladesh: 5 Things To Know

Recently, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina criticized opposition leaders who had advocated for a boycott of Indian products during a speech to members of the ruling Awami League. She urged these leaders to be transparent and reveal any personal connections they may have with Indian goods, specifically mentioning Indian sarees owned by their wives.

Hasina's impassioned remarks come at a crucial juncture as voices clamouring for an 'India-Out' campaign gain traction within Bangladesh. But why was there a call to boycott Indian products in the first place? According to media reports, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), the leading opposition party in Bangladesh, has launched an "India Out" campaign, similar to the tactics of the ruling party in the Maldives led by President Mohammed Muizzu. This campaign, which is being led by influential figures such as Dr Pinaki Bhattacharya and allegedly orchestrated by Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of BNP operating from London, has sparked intense debates about its impact on bilateral relations, regional dynamics, and internal politics within Bangladesh.

In the wake of her party's landslide victory in the recent elections, Sheikh Hasina aims to stand firm in her commitment to nurturing the enduring friendship shared between the two neighbouring nations.

Questioning the Opposition

Addressing the gathering with unwavering resolve,  Sheikh Hasina posed a pointed question to opposition leaders, challenging them to declare the extent of their reliance on Indian products. 

"My question is, how many Indian sarees do their wives have? And why are they not taking the sarees from their wives and setting them on fire? Please ask BNP leaders," she asserted, calling into question the authenticity of their purported boycott.

With characteristic candour, Sheikh Hasina emphasized the indispensability of Indian goods in the daily lives of Bangladeshi citizens. From the aromatic spices adorning their culinary creations to the vibrant textiles gracing their wardrobes, the prime minister extolled the myriad contributions of Indian products to Bangladesh's cultural identity. 

The India-Out Campaign - Context and Controversy

At the heart of the "India Out" campaign lies a complex interplay of historical grievances, geopolitical interests, and domestic political calculations. The proponents of this movement, including Dr Pinaki Bhattacharya, have called for a wholesale boycott of Indian products, citing alleged Indian interference in Bangladesh's internal affairs, particularly in facilitating the return of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to power through what they claim to be fraudulent means.

Bhattacharya, a prominent Bangladeshi Hindu Brahmin with ties to the Communist Party, has utilized his platform on YouTube to advocate for the ouster of the ruling Awami League, further fueling anti-Indian sentiments among his followers. Furthermore, he called upon Bangladeshis to refrain from engaging in various forms of tourism within India, citing it as a means to exert pressure akin to the strategies observed in the Maldives.

Reports indicate that Tarique Rahman, the convicted terrorist and acting chairman of the BNP, based in London, orchestrates the "India Out" movement. Rahman's directives to emulate the anti-India sentiment witnessed in the Maldives have galvanized supporters, further exacerbating anti-Hindu and anti-Indian sentiments within Bangladesh. The cyber wing of the BNP has been instrumental in disseminating vitriol through various social media platforms, intensifying the rhetoric against India.

Notably, dissent is not confined to the opposition ranks alone. Within the ruling Awami League, dissenting voices decry Prime Minister Hasina's purported alignment with Islamist agendas, deviating from the secular democratic ethos. Former members of the Awami League, decorated for their contributions during the 1971 Liberation War against Pakistan, express disillusionment with India's perceived acquiescence to Hasina's policies.

Central to the "India Out" narrative is the economic dimension, with proponents emphasizing Bangladesh's burgeoning trade ties with India and the potential leverage that could be exerted through targeted economic measures. Bhattacharya's assertion that Bangladesh is India's fourth-largest trade partner, with trade volumes poised to escalate, highlights the perceived vulnerability of India's economic interests in the region. Calls for boycotting Indian goods and discouraging tourism to India signal a strategic shift in Bangladesh's approach towards its largest neighbour, raising concerns about the stability of bilateral trade relations and the broader regional economic sphere.

Regional Ramifications and Global Dynamics

The ripple effects of the "India Out" campaign extend beyond Bangladesh's borders, echoing across the broader South Asian region. As neighbouring countries such as Nepal and the Maldives struggle with their geopolitical dynamics, the emergence of anti-Indian sentiment in Bangladesh adds to the geopolitical calculus.