'Bangladesh won't see peace unless India in pieces': Ex-army general
What's the story
A retired Bangladeshi army general has sparked controversy with his provocative remarks against India. During an event, Brigadier General (retd) Abdullahil Amaan Azmi, son of former Jamaat-e-Islami chief Ghulam Azam, said Bangladesh wouldn't achieve "complete peace" until India "breaks into pieces." Azmi also accused India of instigating unrest in the Chittagong Hill Tracts from 1975 to 1996. He alleged that New Delhi supported the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) and its armed wing, Shanti Bahini, during this period.
Accusations made
Azmi accuses India of fueling unrest in Chittagong Hill Tracts
"During the Sheikh Mujibur Rahman government, the Parbatya Chattogram Jana Samhati Samiti (PCJSS) was formed... Its armed wing was the Shanti Bahini. India sheltered them, provided arms and training, which led to bloodshed in the hills from 1975 to 1996," he claimed. He criticized the 1997 Peace Accord for being a facade, claiming it was merely a pretense for disarmament by Shanti Bahini.
Expert opinion
Azmi's comments reflect a larger mindset, says defense expert
Reacting to the remarks, Colonel Mayank Chaubey, a defense expert and former Army officer, said they are indicative of a "mindset" within parts of Bangladesh's power structure. Chaubey tweeted that such statements show why extremist groups feel emboldened. "India must remain alert, prepared, and absolutely clear-eyed about the forces in the neighborhood that openly dream of our breakup while smiling for diplomacy," Colonel Chaubey tweeted.
Political landscape
Jamaat's resurgence under Yunus regime raises concerns
The Jamaat-e-Islami party, which was banned by Sheikh Hasina over terror activities, has made a comeback in the political landscape. The party, which was banned in 2013, was subsequently excluded from successive elections in 2014, 2018 and in January last year. After Hasina was ousted from power, Bangladesh's caretaker government in August revoked the ban on the party and its affiliated groups, saying it has not found evidence of their involvement in "terrorist activities."