Bangladesh News and Discussion

[A_Gupta]

The Farakka Treaty was signed December 12, 1996.

Vidya Charan Shukla was Union Water Resources Minister 21 June 1991-17 January 1996
A. R. Antulay - 7 February 1996- 16 May 1996.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Atal Bihari Vajpayee held the portfolio - 16 May 1996- 1 June 1996
Deve Gowda held the portfolio 1 June 1996-29 June 1996.
Janeshwar Mishra - 29 June 1996 - 9 June 1997.

---
The fragmented nature of India's government during this period perhaps led to a less-than-optimal treaty with Bangladesh.
This time we can hope for better.

[chetak]

Right, A_Gupta

was about to delete it.

[A_Gupta]

Thanks, I amended my reply too.

[chetak]

Thanks, I amended my reply too.

A_Gupta ji,


someone is building narratives in India too

sort of paying them back in the same coin, I guess

[A_Gupta]

I firmly trust that "Satyameva Jayate Na Hi Asatyam".

In this age when "A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is still putting on its boots", narratives are unfortunately necessary. Building them on a basis of truth will make them durable, and ultimately the winner.

India's two Islami neighbors think that narratives, repeated often enough, alters reality. I am squarely with Adi Sankaracharya - A thousand pronouncements of the Shruti will not render fire cold.

To counter narratives, all of us must as vigorously as we can, promote our own truth-fact-logic-based narratives. They should be ever-present like antibodies to counter the false narratives. We all do not have to agree on a single narrative; they just have to be truth-based, and pushed aggressively.

[A_Gupta]

Prothomalo opines:
Human rights situation deterioration: A warning for democratic transition
https://en.prothomalo.com/opinion/editorial/dhazzhsajw

When, through the bloodshed of the mass uprising of 2024, the people of Bangladesh dreamed of building a 'new Bangladesh', there was a deep-seated collective expectation that the country would at least witness a fundamental transformation in the areas of human rights and the rule of law. However, the grim picture presented in the annual reports of the country’s three leading human rights organisations—ASK, MSF, and HRSS—at the end of 2025 is deeply disappointing.

The reports of all three organisations make it clear that although the authoritarian government has fallen, the culture of impunity and the dysfunction of state institutions continue to exist in an alarming form. The most shameful chapter of the human rights situation in 2025 is 'mob violence' and lynching. According to ASK, 197 people were killed in mob beatings over the course of the year—nearly double the number recorded the previous year.

The brutal killing of Pradeep Lal and Rupalal Das in Taraganj, Rangpur, on suspicion of van theft starkly exposes the intolerance and savagery within our society. When people are beaten to death despite pleading for their lives with folded hands, in the face of police inaction, it becomes clear that even the most minimal trust of citizens in the state has eroded. Vandalising shrines in the name of so-called 'Tawhidi mobs', attacking Baul singers, or forming mobs to demolish centres of art and culture can in no way be signs of a non-discriminatory state.

According to the organisations’ data, the number of deaths in prisons and in the custody of law enforcement agencies is also alarming. Deaths ranging from 107 to 116 while in detention raise serious questions. At least 38 people have been victims of extrajudicial killings. These incidents occurred in law enforcement custody, as a result of torture, or under the pretext of so-called 'crossfire', 'shootouts', or “gunfights.” Such deaths turn the commitment to ensuring the rule of law into a mockery.

MSF’s report documents 641 cases of unidentified bodies recovered throughout the year. Despite extensive police patrols and surveillance, the administration has no satisfactory explanation for how hundreds of bodies—many with hands and feet bound or stuffed into sacks—continue to be found. In addition, more than a hundred deaths due to political violence, and particularly the loss of 39 lives in internal clashes within the BNP, demonstrate a severe lack of tolerance even within political parties themselves.

According to ASK and MSF, between 400 and 600 journalists have faced torture and harassment. The unprecedented attack and arson carried out on 18 December at the offices of Prothom Alo and The Daily Star amount to driving the final nail into the coffin of independent journalism. The filing of sweeping murder cases against some journalists has also put Bangladesh’s image at risk on the international stage.

We believe that various forms of disorder may emerge in the aftermath of a mass uprising, but such a situation cannot be allowed to persist for a year and a half. Every incident of mob violence or extrajudicial killing is, in reality, a reflection of the government’s failure. The administration and law enforcement agencies cannot continue to rely on 'old excuses'. If the real perpetrators are not swiftly brought to justice and police inaction is not addressed, this anarchy will engulf the entire state.

[chetak]

this paki punk was specifically told not to bid for the beedi player mustafizur rahman


Three teams involved in actively disregarding the unofficial request are:
CSK(Chennai super kings)
DC ( Delhi Capitals)
KKR ( Kolkata knight riders)

OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED

Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman RELEASED by Kolkata Knight Riders from their IPL 2026 squad following BCCI regulatory instructions.

BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia confirms that the board has instructed KKR to release beedi player mustafizur rahman.

watch video

https://x.com/i/status/2007353737019338808

[chetak]

India moves to ISOLATE Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh power play

— After Khaleda Zia’s death, PM Narendra Modi went beyond protocol, writing directly to Tarique Rahman

S Jaishankar flew to Dhaka to deliver the letter and engage BNP leadership.

· New Delhi sees Muhammad Yunus tilting towards Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh, risking a slide into a ‘Bengali Pakistan’

watch video

https://x.com/i/status/2006753531672539255

[saip]

Now Bangladesh wants to play their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka citing players' safety because of Mustafizur's incident. So they want to join their brothers Pakis in Sri Lanka. If this happens, how are the gate receipts distributed?

[chetak]

Now Bangladesh wants to play their World Cup matches in Sri Lanka citing players' safety because of Mustafizur's incident. So they want to join their brothers Pakis in Sri Lanka. If this happens, how are the gate receipts distributed?

saip ji,


How Cricket Boards Make Money: Beyond Match Tickets

https://mysterycricket.com/blogs/cricke ... M9XkXfq6ct

When fans think about how cricket boards earn money, the first image that comes to mind is ticket sales. Thousands of fans filling stands during an India–Pakistan clash or an Ashes Test can certainly generate millions in revenue. Yet tickets, while visible and tangible, are only a fraction of the financial machinery that powers modern cricket.

From what one hears, in matches like asia cup, India (foolishly) forgoes its own share and adds it to the smaller pool of countries like afghanistan, beedi and whoever else) so that her share helps these countries develop their cricketing facilities

again, it's the lack of shatrubodh and the tangible consequences thereof.

The paki ecosystem uses the bulk of their cricketing revenues for nefarious purposes, mostly against India, which is why these jihadis cry so much when they get shafted

[uddu]

Jamaat Trying to Derail Bangladesh's Upcoming Elections? | Vantage with Palki Sharma | N18G
Bangladesh's Jamaat-e-Islami has said that the country's environment is not apt for holding "free, fair and impartial" elections. The statement came after opinion polls predicted the Jamaat finishing second to the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Is the Jamaat trying to postpone the elections? Palki Sharma tells you.

[A_Gupta]

The Dhaka Tribune reports:
DB: Hadi killing carried out on ex-DNCC councilor Bappi’s orders
The murder was politically motivated, says DB additional commissioner
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... pi-ordered

Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Detective Branch (DB) Additional Police Commissioner Md Shafikul Islam said the killing of Inqilab Mancha spokesperson Sharif Osman Hadi was carried out on the orders of former Mirpur ward councilor and Jubo League leader Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi.

He made the statement at a press conference at the DMP Media Center on Tuesday afternoon, after submitting the charge sheet in the Hadi murder case to the court.


Shafikul Islam said a charge sheet was filed against 17 people, including Faisal Karim Masud, in connection with the killing of Hadi.

“The charge sheet was submitted as the allegations against the accused were proven during the investigation,” he said, adding that 12 of the 17 charge-sheeted accused have been arrested while five remain at large.

He said the murder was politically motivated. “Hadi was killed due to political vengeance. He was murdered on the instructions of former Mirpur ward councilor and Jubo League leader Taijul Islam Chowdhury Bappi,” he said.

[uddu]

Cross posting from Islamism thread
https://x.com/i/status/2009829658926178785
@InsightGL
-déjà vu Nazi days in Germany
-An open threat from Jamaat-e-Islami in #Bangladesh: If you play music, fly kites or indulge in any festivities on Makar Sankranti (known as Shakrain in B’desh), you will face the consequences
-If this is not the Nazi style segregation of the original inhabitants of that region then what would be?

Video: BD Hindus

[Amber G.]

Pakistani Terror Group Lashkar e Tayyiba welcomes growing diplomatic and military ties between Pakistan & Bangladesh.

[Amber G.]

Bangladeshi child was killed, and several others were injured in Cox’s Bazar’s Teknaf upazila after gunfire erupted across the Hwaikyang border during a clash between Myanmar’s Arakan Army and Rohingya armed groups.

[A_Gupta]

Prothomalo reports:
Inqilab Moncho leader
‘If you procrastinate, we’ll separate Chattogram from Bangladesh’
https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/oawom7klt9

Leaders and activists of the Chattogram city and Chattogram University units of Inqilab Moncho on Friday brought out a protest procession, demanding the arrest and trial of those responsible for the killing of Shaheed Sharif Osman bin Hadi, the organisation’s convener.
...
...
Speaking at the rally, Rafsan Rakib, convener of the Inqilab Moncho Chattogram University unit, claimed that the charge sheet in the Hadi murder case failed to reflect the correct facts.

“Is the interim (government) playing games with us? From Chattogram, I declare this today: if you continue to delay matters, we will separate Chattogram from Bangladesh,” he stated while addressing the rally.
....

[bharathp]

They can't live with others, they can't live with themselves

[uddu]

https://x.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/2012589560992326052
@AdityaRajKaul
#BREAKING: Yet another Minority Hindu Man Killed With Shovel While Trying To Save Employee In Bangladesh. Muhammad Yunus Government silent. |
@NDTV
News Report.
Hindu Man Killed With Shovel While Trying To Save Employee In Bangladesh
A Hindu man was beaten to death in the Gazipur district of Bangladesh while trying to protect his shop employee from an assault, police said on Saturday. 55-year-old Liton Chandra Ghosh, alias Kali, was the owner of a sweetshop called Baishakhi Sweetmeat and Hotel in Baranagar Road, where the altercation happened.

Bangladesh Hindu deaths: 2 killed in three days; Awami League promises Sheikh Hasina's return to power
https://www.theweek.in/news/world/2026/ ... power.html
This comes just a day after the murder of 30-year-old Ripon Saha, an employee at a petrol pump in Bangladesh's Rajbari. Notably, the area has also seen the mob-led killing of 29-year-old Hindu man Amrit Mondal (alias Samrat) in December 2025.

According to a News18 report, he had filled petrol in an SUV worth Tk 5,000. After filling it, the SUV owner—allegedly a senior politician (BNP)—tried to drive away without paying for the petrol.

When Saha allegedly blocked the car, the driver ran over him, which led to his death.

In the meantime, ousted ex-PM Sheikh Hasina's Awami League attacked the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government over the unrest in Bangladesh, in what is the party's first press conference since her exit.

[uddu]

https://x.com/ItzBDHindus/status/2012478436342735168
@ItzBDHindus
The statue of Lieutenant General Jagjit Singh Aurora, before whom General Niazi surrendered in 1971, is being vandalized. Yet when Bangladeshi Hindus held a protest in the United Kingdom, some Sikh groups obstructed and raised slogans in support of Islamists.

[A_Gupta]

This is how the Matrubhumi (Kerala newspaper) reports it.

Missing bananas turn deadly as Hindu businessman beaten to death in Bangladesh Read more at: https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/wo ... r-huo2pj6z

[Amber G.]

Bangladesh T20 World Cup - ICC's ultimatum to Bangladesh
As it stands, the ICC has given Bangladesh the deadline of January 21 to decide its status on participating as per the current schedule of the T20 World Cup 2026. Otherwise, they could "risk being replaced by another team". And Scotland is ready!

[g.sarkar]

https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/p ... 260119.htm
Pakistan could pull out of T20 WC to support Bangladesh
REDIFF CRICKET, January 19, 2026
In a fresh twist, the Pakistan Cricket Board is considering pulling out of the T20 World Cup if the Bangladesh stand-off over moving their matches out of India is not resolved, said media reports.
The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reportedly contacted the PCB seeking diplomatic help as they look to pile on pressure on the International Cricket Council to shift their T20 World Cup matches to Sri Lanka.
"The Bangladesh government contacted officials in Pakistan to seek support regarding their participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup and received a positive response," a source told NDTV.
"Pakistan has indicated to us that they could reconsider their own participation if Bangladesh's issue is not addressed."
The BCB on Saturday asked the ICC to swap its matches with Ireland in Group C during the T20 World Cup in order to play in Sri Lanka instead of India.
“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) today held a meeting with representatives of the International Cricket Council (ICC) to discuss matters relating to Bangladesh's participation in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026,” said the BCB in a release after the meeting with ICC delegates.
ICC gives ultimatum to Bangladesh
Bangladesh are currently placed in Group C along with the West Indies, Italy, England and Nepal and are scheduled to play their matches in Kolkata and Mumbai.
Meanwhile, the ICC has given an ultimatum to BCB to give their final decision on whether they will send the Bangladesh cricket team to India or not for the T20 World Cup by January 21, Wednesday, said a report in ANI.
.....
Gautam

[drnayar]

Standing inside a courtroom that should symbolize justice, Chinmoy Prabhudas spoke words that shook the conscience of anyone still capable of feeling shame:

“I am a monk. I don’t even consume fish or meat, fearing harm to any living being. Yet today, I stand accused of murder.”

The courtroom fell into a haunting silence. Even the judge had no words. Not because the truth was unclear, but because the collapse of justice stood naked before everyone’s eyes.

This is not merely the persecution of one man. This is the moral and institutional decay of Bangladesh laid bare, where law has lost its spine, conscience has been suffocated, and power tramples over the most harmless among us.

[g.sarkar]

https://www.rediff.com/cricket/report/i ... 260121.htm
ICC signals replacement if Bangladesh skip T20 WC in India
Laxmi Negi, January 21, 2026
The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday rejected the request from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) to shift its team's T20 World Cup fixtures to Sri Lanka, saying the matches will proceed as scheduled since there was no credible threat to the safety of Bangladesh players, officials or fans at any of the tournament venues in India.
The decision was taken at an ICC Board meeting held via video conference, which was convened to discuss the situation after the BCB raised concerns and sought a change in venues.
"The ICC Board noted that relocating matches under the present circumstances could jeopardise the sanctity of ICC events and undermine the organisation's neutrality as a global governing body," the ICC said in a statement.
According to the ICC, the Board reviewed multiple security assessments, including independent evaluations, all of which concluded that there was no credible threat to Bangladesh players.
Only Pakistan supported BCB's stand
ICC sources said that out of 16 members, 14 voted against BCB's relocation request. The ICC has given BCB one more day to reflect and take a final position.
"Of all the members, only BCB and Pakistan voted in favour of the relocation request while all other voted against it. Bangladesh was given time till January 21 to confirm its participation but they have been given one more day by the ICC Board to state their position," said the ICC source.
The ICC also said that making changes to the schedule at such a late stage was not feasible and that altering fixtures in the absence of a verified security risk could set an "undesirable precedent" for future global events.
.....
Gautam

[saip]

What happens to terroristan if they too boycott the tournament to support their brothers in crime?

[Tanaji]

What happens to terroristan if they too boycott the tournament to support their brothers in crime?

They have no grounds or defence to boycott the tournament. Legally binding fines, compensation for revenue loss not to mention ICC sanctions will be in place.

My prediction is that Kangalustan will play their matches in India. They will demand Z level security etc which they will be provided to assuage their ego.

[saip]

They have already asked for man to man security for everyone including the support staff. India can provide it if they pay for it.

[Amber G.]

Meanwhile::India withdraws families, dependents of diplomats and officials from all missions in Bangladesh

[g.sarkar]

https://www.reuters.com/sports/cricket/ ... 026-01-22/
Bangladesh seek 'miracle' to secure T20 World Cup participation
By Reuters, January 21, 2026
DHAKA, Jan 22 (Reuters) - The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) will speak to the country's interim government in a last-ditch attempt to secure the team's participation in next month's Twenty20 World Cup after their demand to shift their matches outside India was rejected on Wednesday.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) board has dismissed Bangladesh's concerns about the safety and security of their players and fans in India, citing political tension between the South Asian neighbours.
With their demands to play their matches in Sri Lanka shot down by the game's global governing body, Bangladesh find themselves left with the difficult options of either withdrawing their demand or getting replaced by another team in the global showpiece that begins on February 7.
"I asked the ICC board for time to talk to my government for one last time," BCB president Aminul Islam told reporters after learning of the ICC decision.
"They said it's a valid point and gave me 24 or 48 hours to get back to them."
"We know that India is not secure for us. We remain in the stance that we want to play in Sri Lanka. I know the ICC denied us, but we will talk to the government one more time. I will inform the ICC about the government's feedback."
Aware of a potential backlash that would follow any volte-face about playing in India, Aminul said the players were keen to play in the World Cup.
"I am hoping for a miracle from the ICC. Who doesn't want to play in the World Cup?" he said.
......
Gautam

[chetak]

It's their funereal onlee

[Tanaji]

If Pakistan participate and Kangalu bros don’t it will be hilarious: they egged them on and deserted them

[V_Raman]

Therein lies the definition of pakiness - no shame - and bdesh might learn it the hard way...

[uddu]

They got kicked out, what's there to boycott now.

[drnayar]

Leaked private chat between US diplomat and pro-Jamaat Bangladeshi journalists. They want Jamaat-e-Islami in power and are using trade to blackmail. Country warned from getting closer to China.


https://x.com/i/status/2014551733419311162


[AI translation]
The overseas workers, the remittances coming in, the voters' confidence that was in the IG, people identifying units as someone who could be trusted and therefore putting their money back in the formal channel was huge. The R&D sector never missed a beat. I've had people from other countries in the region tell me Sri Lanka would never have survived a similar situation with that little. So a lot of things went right, particularly the macro management of the economy was very good.

I think, actually, things like the conviction of Alcina, politically genius, it's shocking that they managed to get that decision before they left. And the ICT is not a tribunal we recognize. It was not a free and fair trial, what have you. But she killed it. And they proved it. And they did it within their mandate.

Which was impressive. Eunice's management of the BMP, when the students failed to form a real party, was genius, his going to London and negotiating Tariq, was a level of political acumen that I can tell you for a fact, none of us at the time thought he had. There have been a number of times when we thought, with his stellar reputation intact. And those were the threats. He did not back down to the army, despite everything that's happened, he did not back down to the allies he did not back down to the parties He has people have criticized the way he handled the parties but he has said this is your problem this is your problem this is your problem you have to talk to each other Your parties are talking to each other Jermat and BMP have each other on those feedbacks.

That, the economy, some of the reforms they're putting in at the end, I mean, the whole management of the July Charter and this referendum, and we can criticize who's going to understand the referendum, blah, blah, blah. But that management of, so not the referendum is going to be on the day of the election, shut up. And DMP, it's going to be all the things you didn't agree to, shut up. Or y'all can walk away from this. And they didn't. So I think what we've identified is that there is a giant, invisible force of social cohesion, Bengals. Every time we thought things would spin off since August 5th, starting with August 5th, we evacuated on August 5th. We just had a meeting this morning where we talked about this. One month later, we were running back to Washington and saying, you know, everybody can come back. And they're like, you're crazy. That's not possible. And we had to explain to them that the Bengalsi society had risen up a second time and re-impose order spontaneously without the involvement of the government.

I don't think any of you guys give yourselves credit for what keeps happening. For the fact that it's not the parties, it's not the government, but the people and the parties in the government, they keep backing away from confrontation. So, which is why... I simply do not believe that Jamaat can impose Syria.

I was talking to somebody in the Catholic Church recently. Well if Jamal wins they going to nationalize Sacred Heart and all the conflict universities and they going to take them over and make them Islamic universities That it If Shabbat were to seize all the Catholic schools in Bangladesh, they would have 100% tariffs put on them the next day.

There is no way on earth that Catholic society in the United States would put up with that and allow Bangladesh to export things to the United States. So that's not a real thing. And while our government may not be the leader on this, I think there's this entire economy. 20% of your exports in the United States depend on a series of socially liberal clothing chains and clothing brands that play a huge role in the fact that your factories are some of the most modern and safest in the world that export. So, if Bangladesh told women they only owe $5 or kids to them out of R&D and opposed the Sharia law, there will be no more orders.

And if there are no more orders, there will be no Bangladesh economy. Jaman is not going to do that. Precisely, too many university educated, smart people have to do that.

We will make it seemingly clear to them what will happen. The Europeans will make it seemly clear to them.

One thing is that you're Saudi Arabia, and a different thing is that you're Bangladesh and you become Saudi Arabia. So, what I would encourage you, and what our position is with regard to Jemaat, if we're going to talk to Jemaat, we're going to talk to Hefizat, we're going to talk to Islamian medi, we want them to be our friends because we want to be able to pick up the phone and say I think you just said so here how that going to play out And because they're not stupid, they're not stupid, they're not crazy, that doesn't mean that we can protect everything and that something won't change. This is largely your fight, which is why it's somewhat about engaging with women on that side, And it's about trying to engage. As an incentive, it's hard. We engage. You also have conversations with people in the city. I'm just saying back off of the place I heard about your conversation.

We would like to break out. That reform is turnout. These guys, for people who won in Donkey University, can you talk to them?

Will they go on your show? We're just looking for ways to engage and talk to people. But the big ministry people are the ones who have decided to shift. If there's been a shift, if shifted, right, if shifted Islamic, if they don't, if that's not how the election turns out, great, then the only problem will be in peace during the set through introducing corruption by it.

But in all likelihood, Jamal is going to do better than he's ever done before. The leader is going to be far.

But I don't think it's a full-blown panic is helpful. Because there are guardrails. There is only so far that you don't do it. That's where you're going to call me almost entirely dependent on what else.

If you sold everything to China, you'd be big trouble. Because they could carry less what they would do. But you don't sell it in the United States of New York. And even for our government doesn't care, our consumers and our companies do, we care about their reputation and care about these things.

[A_Gupta]

The Dhaka Tribune reports:

Jamaat–US policy contact a grave concern, says Farhad Mazhar
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... ncern-says

Poet and thinker Farhad Mazhar has expressed deep concern over the United States’ policy-level contact with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, calling it a potential warning for Bangladesh’s future political landscape.

Speaking at a discussion titled “Nationwide Gas, Electricity, and Safe Water Crisis: The Role of Civil Society” organized by the People’s Uprising Protection Forum at the National Press Club Friday morning, Mazhar said the lack of a clear objection from Jamaat regarding the sending of the so-called “stability-preserving force” to Gaza raises serious questions. “This silence signals their political stance,” he said.


Citing international media reports, Mazhar added that the United States was keen to establish ties with Jamaat and was already strategizing on potential diplomatic responses if the party came to power, particularly regarding Sharia policies or decisions contrary to US interests.

“It is clear there is a space of policy understanding between the United States and Jamaat, which is why the US is clarifying its position in advance,” he noted.

Referring to the United States as a major geopolitical power, Mazhar said: “The reality is that international law currently appears ineffective, as evidenced by Donald Trump’s political conduct.” He questioned how the future security of Bangladesh’s 170 million people can be ensured, given Washington’s contact with almost all political forces in the country.

Addressing Indian influence, Mazhar observed that while anti-India rhetoric was prominent in Bangladesh, there was limited discourse among intellectuals on US imperialism, reflecting a double standard.

He stressed: “I do not want war. Ensuring ordinary citizens’ peaceful lives and their right to survive on lentils and rice should be our priority.”

The session also featured political analyst Major (retd) Ahmed Ferdous and poet-filmmaker Mohammad Romel. Speakers highlighted the ongoing crises in gas, electricity, and safe water, while emphasizing the role of civil society in post-uprising state reforms.

[A_Gupta]

Leaked private chat between US diplomat and pro-Jamaat Bangladeshi journalists. They want Jamaat-e-Islami in power and are using trade to blackmail. Country warned from getting closer to China.


https://x.com/i/status/2014551733419311162

FWIW, the Washington Post treats the audio recording as authentic.
Paywalled, but:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/20 ... bnp-trump/
U.S. seeks to be ‘friends’ with Bangladesh’s once-banned Islamist party
In obtained audio recordings, a U.S. diplomat in Dhaka described how Washington wants to engage with Jamaat-e-Islami, potentially straining U.S-India ties.

[A_Gupta]

^^^ Excerpts:

As the political landscape changes in Bangladesh, American diplomats there have signaled they are open to working with the resurgent Islamist movement. In a Dec. 1 closed-door meeting with female Bangladeshi journalists, a U.S. diplomat based in Dhaka said the country has “shifted Islamic” and predicted Jamaat-e-Islami would “do better than it’s ever done before” in the Feb. 12 election, according to the audio recordings.
“We want them to be our friends,” the diplomat said, asking if the reporters in the room would be willing to bring members of the party’s influential student wing on their programs: “Can you talk to them?” he asked. “Will they go on your show?”

The diplomat, whom The Post is not naming for security reasons, downplayed worries that Jamaat-e-Islami would try to force its interpretation of Islamic law on Bangladesh, saying Washington had leverage it was prepared to use. “I simply do not believe that Jamaat can impose sharia,” the diplomat said, noting that if party leaders made concerning moves, the United States “would have 100 percent tariffs put on them the next day.”

The diplomat, whom The Post is not naming for security reasons, downplayed worries that Jamaat-e-Islami would try to force its interpretation of Islamic law on Bangladesh, saying Washington had leverage it was prepared to use. “I simply do not believe that Jamaat can impose sharia,” the diplomat said, noting that if party leaders made concerning moves, the United States “would have 100 percent tariffs put on them the next day.”
In a statement to The Post, Monica Shie, the spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, the Bangladeshi capital, said “the conversation that took place in December was a routine gathering, off-the-record discussion between U.S. Embassy officials and local journalists.” She added that “numerous political parties were discussed” during the meeting and that “the United States does not favor one political party over another and plans to work with whichever government is elected by the Bangladeshi people.”

The diplomat stressed that if Jamaat-e-Islami was to rise to power and implement policies that are anathema to Washington, the U.S. would retaliate against the country’s massive garment industry.

“Bangladesh’s entire economy, 20 percent of your exports to the United States, depend on a series of socially liberal clothing chains and clothing brands,” the official said. “If Bangladesh tells women they can only work five hours, or kicks them out … and imposes sharia law, there will be no more orders. And if there are no more orders, there will be no Bangladeshi economy.”

But “Jamaat is not going to do that,” the official continued. “There are too many university-educated, smart people to do that. We will make exceedingly clear to them what will happen.”

Since when did economic outcomes bother Islamists?

“The conviction of Hasina [was] politically genius,” the U.S. diplomat said in the December meeting. The tribunal was not “free and fair,” the official added, but “she’s guilty, and they proved it … within their mandate, which was impressive.”

Since Hasina’s ouster in 2024, Jamaat-e-Islami has held four meetings in Washington with U.S. officials and “several” meetings in Dhaka, Mohammad Rahman said in his statement to The Post. The party leader also met virtually with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer on Friday.
The State Department declined to comment on the Washington meetings and described the meetings with Jamaat-e-Islami in Dhaka as part of “routine diplomatic work.” The USTR did not respond to a request for comment.

If the U.S.-India relationship were “in better shape,” Kugelman said, the Americans might have been more willing to heed Indian concerns about Jamaat-e-Islami ahead of the election. But “with the partnership a real mess … I don’t think that U.S. officials would feel the need to be that attentive to, or sensitive to, Indian concerns.”

A not-free-and-fair-trial is political genius????

[chetak]

The Washington Post has leaked a private conversation between US diplomats and Jamaat-leaning journalists.

The United States does not consider Sheikh Hasina’s trial to be correct or acceptable. Yet, despite this, the US is pleased with the verdict delivered by Yunus. The US is also satisfied with the pressure that Yunus and Jamaat have exerted on the BNP. Moreover, the US considers Sheikh Hasina to be guilty—meaning it is clear that the death sentence against Sheikh Hasina was issued either to appease the US or under direct US instruction. It was a sham trial; that statement proved it yet again.

American diplomat further states that the BNP, in particular, will destroy itself through corruption and internal infighting. He explains how the US plans to bring Jamaat to power, how the media should label and frame different actors, and assures that Jamaat will not implement Sharia law. Alongside this, a veiled threat is issued regarding Bangladesh’s garments industry. At the same time, the US gives a guarantee that Jamaat will perform well in the election even if it does not come to power.

In addition, they are told not to move closer to China, along with many other “suggestions.” The diplomat also explains how the US uses the European Union and gives a diplomatic hint that there will be no trade or business with the US if its instructions are not followed.

Listen to the audio. There you will find a sample of how the US has run the country over the past 18 months. When we used to say these American influences , many people claimed they were just stories we had made up. Do you understand now that the entire country has effectively become a colony of the United States?

Video credit: @ZulkarnainSaer


watch video


https://x.com/i/status/2014410177647145265

[saip]

There can not be that many senior staff who can promise these things to BDs. One of them is :Counselor for Political/Economic Affairs: Eric Geelan

[A_Gupta]

The Dhaka Tribune reports:
Visa doors slam shut worldwide for Bangladeshis
https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh ... his-facing

1. The United States has announced the suspension of immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh.

2. Bangladeshi passport holders frequently face additional questioning, including at airports in Nepal and the Maldives.

3. Egypt, which previously offered conditional visa-on-arrival facilities, has introduced new restrictions.

4. Countries frequently rejecting Bangladeshi visa applications include Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Egypt.

5. Uzbekistan, once considered an easy destination for Bangladeshi travelers, has stopped issuing visas.

6. Thai visa applicants now face waiting periods exceeding one month.

7. Vietnam has fully closed visas for Bangladeshis, while Indonesia has imposed limitations.

8. Australia has also recorded an increase in visa rejection rates.

9. India has suspended tourist visas for Bangladeshis since August 5, 2024, creating knock-on effects for travel to Europe. Several European countries lack embassies in Dhaka and process visas through their missions in New Delhi. Applicants must appear in person, requiring Indian double-entry visas.

10. Eastern European visas are largely processed in Delhi.

11. The Netherlands has announced stricter screening for higher education visas.

12. Indonesia .... restricted visas for Bangladeshis

13. Data from the Bureau of Manpower, Employment and Training show that major labor markets—including Oman, Bahrain, Iraq, Libya, Sudan, Malaysia, Egypt, Romania, and Brunei—remain closed. Worker migration to the UAE has halted, while Italy’s work permit verification process has slowed. Although Bangladesh has signed agreements with Libya, worker deployment has not begun. Mauritius issues very few visas to Bangladeshis.