India Urges Bangladesh to Hold Free and Fair Elections as Political Tensions and Protests Escalate
India has urged Bangladesh’s caretaker administration to conduct inclusive, free, and fair elections at the earliest, as political tensions and public unrest intensify across the country. The call from New Delhi comes amid mounting demands by major political parties, such as the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), and powerful sections of the military for elections to be held no later than December. These demands contrast sharply with the position of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, who leads the interim government and has proposed that elections be held by June 2026 after implementing necessary governance reforms.
The statement from India was delivered by external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a routine media briefing. Jaiswal emphasized India’s consistent position, stating, “Bangladesh needs to ascertain the will and mandate of the people by holding an inclusive, fair and free elections at an early date.” He also reiterated that India seeks a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, anchored in fulfilling the aspirations and interests of the people on both sides.
The situation in Bangladesh has been escalating due to widespread protests by government employees and public discontent with the interim administration. The immediate trigger for the unrest was an ordinance issued by the caretaker government, empowering the public administration ministry to dismiss public servants for misconduct without due process. This move has sparked outrage among civil servants, who demand the ordinance be withdrawn.
Adding to the turmoil, thousands of primary school teachers are on indefinite leave, protesting low wages and calling for pay hikes. Additionally, the interim administration was compelled to roll back its decision to dissolve the National Board of Revenue after employees from the tax department staged strong protests.
Amid the growing domestic dissent, the political environment remains volatile. The Bangladesh Army and the BNP, led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, have been vocal about holding elections by the end of 2025. However, Yunus, while pushing for long-term reform, has postponed any electoral roadmap until mid-2026. His stance has fueled allegations of authoritarianism and increased skepticism among citizens and opposition forces.
Diplomatic tensions between India and Bangladesh have deepened in recent months. Relations significantly deteriorated after the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled Dhaka during widespread protests in August last year and sought refuge in India. Since then, bilateral ties have suffered, especially after India accused the caretaker regime of failing to protect minorities, particularly Hindus. These claims have been dismissed by Yunus as “exaggerated,” though they continue to strain diplomatic dialogue.
In a pointed response to media reports quoting Yunus accusing India of “hegemony,” Randhir Jaiswal remarked that such claims appear to deflect from internal governance failures. “When statements of this sort are made, it seems like you want to deflect in another direction from your own challenges related to governance. Blaming others and extraneous issues for domestic problems is not a solution,” he stated firmly.
The evolving crisis in Bangladesh poses significant implications not only for its internal stability but also for regional geopolitics and India-Bangladesh relations. As both domestic and international pressure mounts on the interim government, the path forward remains uncertain, with millions of Bangladeshis watching anxiously for developments.
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