REAL ISSUE

 

THE real issue in Bangladesh is only partly Bangladesh. In international realpolitik, the real issue is how India conducts itself in the current situation. For, whatever happens in Bangladesh is daring India directly to demonstrate its faith in its own democratic philosophy and rising military and economic prowess over the past decade or so. So, what is on test is India’s readiness to get engaged in a proactive diplomacy and aggressive international politics in the larger interest of the subcontinental region. In other words, what is on test is whetherIndia had been indulging in mere rhetoric about its own growing strength, or has the actual ability to convert talk into walk. Sensing the seriousness of the current challenge,Indianleadership alsois engagedin deep thinking about how it would face the situation. But what the situation calls for is courage and ability to straighten out thecomplexcomponentsofdiplomaticmetaphor.There are enoughreasons to believe thatover time,Indiahas accumulated it. Now is the time to put it to best use.

 

Of course, India does not harbour any trans-border, territorial ambitions.But that also doesnotmean thatit should beonly apassivewatcherof events across theline.For,knowing the manner of human influx into India time and again, and particularly in times of crisis in the neighbourhood, India will have to be ready to stop it at the border so that itsinternal economy and security are not threatened or burdened.However, knowing the nature of subcontinental politics, only keeping a tightwatch on the border to stall human influx will be too limited an objective. That would mean, in other words, running faster at the same spot -- which is by itself a tougher ball-game. There is little doubt that in the next some weeks, the situationinBangladeshwill getworse every passing day.There willbewanton killings,mass violence andlooting and arson. There also will be vandalising of statues and institutions in the most thoughtless manner. And the overall direction of the happenings within the troubled country will somehow have an anti-Indian tinge, to say the least. For, pulling down the tall andwell-made statue of Banga bandhu SheikhMujib Ur Rehman, the founder of Bangladesh (with the help of excavator booms), is nothing but an expression of a deepseated anti-India sentiment -- fanned and fostered by elements supported by Pakistani masterminds. And the fact that Prime Minister Mrs. Hasina Wajed has reached the safe haven of India has become all the more a reason for an anti-India feeling rising in its crescendo in Bangladesh.

 

To make matters worse, anIndian cultural centre named after Mrs. Indira Gandhi -- the liberator of Bangladesh --hasbeenvandalised,in addition to fourHindu temples.Cumulatively, all these account for a strong provocation for India to take some firm steps -- in its own territorial and cultural protection and preservation. orial and cultural protection and preservation. But as Minister of External Affairs Dr. S. Jaishankar has rightlysaid,Indiawouldnot take anyprecipitatestepsbefore having a full consultation with Mrs. Hasina Wajed staying at themomentinIndia.Thissmall assertionofDr.Jaishankar points to the manner in which India may want to deal with the situation. It will be preposterous to ask for an armed action from the Indian security forces into Bangladesh at this stage. But one also cannot assure that such a stage may never come in the near future. For, if the actions in the troubled Bangladesh give the impression of a strong anti-India sentiment that may harm Indian interest in long term, New Delhi may have to make a hard choice and march into Bangladesh to take control of the situation. That, however, will depend on India’s own self-image and self-worth.