What does India think?

by Anisur Rahman

What does India think? This simple question knocks me when I see the report as two Bangladesh citizen were killed by Indian Border Security Force in Chapainawabganj and Benapole on January 9, 2010. The killing was committed by Indian forces one day prior to Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India scheduled on Januiary 10, 2010.

It is very easy task and unchallenged matter for Indian border force to kill Bangladesh people without any cause or provocation. Is it the same India who had the historic legacy and blessings of Mahatma Gandhi’s leadership?

It seems to me India behaves as if the country were the super power in South Asia like United States of America. It is not the right development in the mindset of India’s policy, diplomacy and civil-military bureaucracy. India today is an emerging economic force. It does not mean it can do whatever it wishes. The country has huge problems within its boundary. Extreme poverty, malnutrition, absence of sanitary net, unemployment, repression and oppression on ethnic minority communities, discriminations in terms of economic-regional-religious-ethnic castes, conflicts with most of its neighboring countries like Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Burma and so. At this reality, its border forces, repeatedly are killing Bangladesh people.

Bangladesh citizens are really concerned as we are suffering a lot due to India’s ‘might is right’s approach over its whimsical various river barrage projects including Tipaimukh embankment. Even, some Indian provinces are also unhappy at the development of policy in the centre in Delhi as such.

It is a large scale matter as Indian immigrant officials harass Bangladesh citizens at different ports. They sometimes harass Bangladesh travelers killing times in the name a long hour quizzing. Indian Immigrant officials at the entry of Benapole land port are involved in diverse irregularities in taking bribes from travelers. People are victims there at the hands of Indian official elements.

Bangladesh and India have large areas of bilateral business and cooperation. A good many Bangladesh people every year visit India for medicare, studies, travel and business purposes. They contribute a lot to India’s economy. The two countries have thousand years long common history and cultural tradition. However, through the killing of Bangladesh people every now and then by Indian border forces, every thing become meaningless. Who will be benefited at the bloodshed of Bangladesh’s innocent people? Could India’s prime minister please give us the answer? A nation cannot gain anything at the bloodshed. It is historic truth. People in the corridor of policymaking in Delhi should read biography of Mahatma Gandhi and the texts written by him. It will help a lot them as well as the people who are victimised in their hands.

Before I stop, I would like to say as it is a clear big power audacity to kill Bangladesh people when its prime minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit to India. It is not the minimum diplomatic courtesy even.

It is expected as during the prime minister’s visit Bangladesh side will strongly condemned the killing and harassment by Indian immigrant elements along side raising other issues as well.

We hope a complete end of killing of Bangladesh citizens by Indian forces. That will be respect to regional peace and harmony. Any conflict in South Asia will ultimately be the big trouble for Delhi. Their today’s intimate friend US cannot help them in recovery but to intensify the trouble for India. People in policy making in India must realise the truth, without making any delay. #