A shocking verdict has sent shockwaves across South Asia: Sheikh Hasina, the former prime minister of Bangladesh, has been sentenced to death for crimes against humanity. This news has sparked intense emotions, especially among those who lost loved ones during her brutal crackdown on protesters.
Shima Akhter, a student at the University of Dhaka, expressed her feelings of vindication. Several of her friends were victims of Hasina's security forces, and she believes that a death sentence is a step towards justice for the martyrs. However, Akhter and many others want to see Hasina face her punishment in Bangladesh, not in exile.
But here's where it gets controversial. Despite repeated requests from Bangladesh, India, where Hasina is currently residing, is unlikely to hand her over. This decision has caused a significant strain on the relationship between the two nations, with tensions rising to new heights.
Geopolitical analysts predict that New Delhi will not extradite Hasina, even though it aims to build a partnership with a post-Hasina Dhaka. The question arises: why is India hesitant to comply with Bangladesh's request?
"How can New Delhi push her towards her death?" asks Pinak Ranjan Chakravarty, a former Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka. This statement highlights the moral dilemma India faces.
Hasina, Bangladesh's longest-serving prime minister, is a controversial figure. She first came to power in 1996 and ruled for 15 years, winning elections that were often boycotted or banned for opposition parties. During her tenure, human rights abuses were rampant, with thousands forcibly disappeared and many extrajudicial killings. Yet, her government boasted an impressive economic record, transforming Bangladesh's economy from a 'basket case' to outpacing India's per capita income.
In July 2024, a student protest over government job quotas escalated into a nationwide movement demanding Hasina's resignation. The brutal crackdown by security forces led to nearly 1,400 deaths, according to UN estimates. Hasina fled to New Delhi on August 5, 2024, leaving behind a trail of controversy and resentment.
Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on India to honor its extradition agreement, stating that it would be an 'unfriendly act' to continue providing refuge to Hasina. However, India argues that an exception exists in the treaty for offenses of a 'political character,' and it views Hasina's case as political vindictiveness by the ruling forces in Bangladesh.
Political analysts in India believe that handing over Hasina would legitimize anti-India forces in Bangladesh. Sanjay Bhardwaj, a professor of South Asian studies, explains that the current government in Dhaka is ruled by forces opposed to India, and India does not want to strengthen their position.
The relationship between New Delhi and Dhaka has transformed from a flourishing alliance to one characterized by mistrust. India's former high commissioner, Chakravarty, believes that this strain will persist until Bangladesh's elections in February, which could offer a new opportunity for improved relations.
Sreeradha Datta, a professor at Jindal Global University, suggests that India is caught between a rock and a hard place. While it understands the popular resentment against Hasina in Bangladesh, it also recognizes that the Awami League, Hasina's party, is the best bet for India's interests in the region. However, Datta argues that India needs to accept that Bangladesh is unlikely to give Hasina another chance and should build ties with other political forces in Dhaka.
"Currently, we are at a very fragile point in the bilateral relations," Datta says. "But we have to be able to move past this particular agenda [of Hasina's extradition]."
Even if India and Bangladesh are no longer allies, Datta emphasizes the need for civility between the two nations.
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, believes that Hasina's presence in India will continue to be a thorn in the bilateral relationship but also argues that it allows India to remain loyal to its allies. He suggests that there could be long-term political dividends for New Delhi, as dynastic parties in South Asia often make comebacks despite facing hard times.
The fate of Sheikh Hasina and the future of India-Bangladesh relations remain uncertain, leaving many questions unanswered. What do you think? Should India hand over Hasina to Bangladesh, or is there a valid reason for keeping her in exile? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
