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India Today
5 days ago
- Politics
- India Today
"Bangladesh being turned into Afghanistan" says Bangladeshi journalist Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury
In a stark warning about Bangladesh's political trajectory, veteran journalist and counterterrorism expert Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury has alleged that the country is being systematically transformed into a theocratic state under Muhammad Yunus's interim government. The award-winning Editor of Blitz newspaper, who specialises in South Asian geopolitics, painted a dire picture of democratic backsliding and extremist infiltration in an exclusive interview with India Today "Blueprint for Theocracy" Choudhury's most explosive allegation centres on what he describes as a deliberate plan to reshape Bangladesh's secular foundations. "Yunus is actually having the blueprint of turning Bangladesh into a theocracy," he stated, pointing to concerning statements from key regime journalist specifically highlighted the public statements of Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, leader of Jamaat-Char Monai and a key Yunus ally, who according to Choudhury, "publicly told media that they are willing to turn Bangladesh into another Afghanistan."This transformation, Choudhury argues, is not merely ideological but involves concrete institutional changes that threaten the country's democratic Intelligence Under SiegePerhaps the most alarming aspect of Choudhury's account involves what he describes as a coordinated effort to dismantle Bangladesh's counterterrorism capabilities. He revealed that "hundreds of terrorists and militants, including members of Ansar-al Islam, which is a local franchisee of Al-Qaeda, Hizb ut Tahrir, and others, they were released from the prison."The journalist made a particularly striking claim about foreign intelligence involvement: "Three brigadiers of Pakistani army, actually they are the covered officials of the ISI, they visited Bangladesh" and met with various insurgent groups. In a move that Choudhury sees as directly connected, "just in 48 hours of their departure from Bangladesh, the anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh blocked the bank account of the Directory General of Forces Intelligence [DGFI]."A Radicalised Military?When discussing the Bangladesh Army's position, Choudhury expressed deep concerns about internal divisions. While noting that "General Wakar Zaman enjoys support of the majority of the army officers and soldiers," he made a startling claim about the military's composition: "inside the Bangladesh army, a very significant portion of the armed forces, they are radicalised, at least 30%."This alleged radicalisation within the military ranks, if accurate, would represent a fundamental threat to Bangladesh's stability and secular HaemorrhagingThe interim government's tenure has coincided with severe economic disruption, according to Choudhury's analysis. He presented alarming figures: "during the last 10.5 months, there is not a single dollar foreign investment in Bangladesh, but almost $9 billion were smuggled out of this country. 80,000 crore taka have been looted from the Bangladeshi stock market."advertisementThese economic indicators, combined with what Choudhury describes as systematic corruption, paint a picture of a country in economic free Violence and Minority PersecutionWhen questioned about reports of mob violence, Choudhury highlighted the regime's concerning response. He noted that "when Yunus press secretary was asked about the mob violence, he said it's not mob violence, it's a pressure group. But this mob violence, they're attacking the religious and ethnic minorities in this country."This reframing of violence as legitimate "pressure group" activity, according to Choudhury, demonstrates the regime's complicity in attacks on vulnerable DimensionsThe journalist alleges significant foreign involvement in Bangladesh's current crisis. He claimed that "there were foreign elements, like US deep state and others including Pakistani ISI of course. And now we also can see that clearly that China was also behind the last year's jihadi coup."Regarding the current US administration's response, Choudhury expressed disappointment: "Unfortunately, that Donald Trump we knew during his first tenure term. Now during his second tenure, Donald Trump himself is a confused person. He doesn't know what to do or what he is doing."Regional Security ImplicationsChoudhury warned of serious implications for regional security, particularly for India. "For the jihadists in Bangladesh, their common enemy is India," he stated, adding that "until Yunus regime remains in power, India's national security is at risk."advertisementHe specifically mentioned the presence of terror cells: "there are many sleeper cells of Ansar al-Bangla team in particular and the Jamatul Mujahideen in Bangladesh inside some of the places in West Bengal and also in the northeastern regions."Democratic Processes Under ThreatThe journalist painted a bleak picture of Bangladesh's democratic future. He explained that "Yunus has banned Awami League" and that even the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has shifted its position after "on June 13th, Yunus had a secret meeting with the chief of BNP Bangladesh Nationalist Party in London."Regarding elections, Choudhury was pessimistic: "Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist parties, they are publicly saying openly saying that elections should not be held" and "Yunus has no intention of holding elections... Bangladesh is not going to have any election even in the foreseeable future."Military Intervention as Only SolutionIn his most controversial assertion, Choudhury argued that military intervention represents the only viable path forward. "Now there is an essential need of armies military to take military initiatives, remove Yunus from power," he stated, emphasising that "the only way out is actions by our armed forces as soon as possible."- EndsMust Watch
India Today
08-07-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Islamic extremists building a base next to India?
Bangladesh finds itself teetering on the edge of religious extremism following the dramatic fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. What began as student protests against the quota system has spiralled into a crisis that threatens to transform the nation into a theocratic state. The chaos erupted when widespread demonstrations against perceived nepotism and state favouritism in the job quota system gained momentum under the "Students Against Discrimination" banner. As clashes with security forces intensified and casualties mounted, Hasina's grip on power crumbled. Her hasty departure to India left a dangerous political vacuum that extremist groups have been quick to Central to this unfolding drama is Jamaat-Char Monai, a hardline Islamist organisation rooted in Islami Andolan Bangladesh. Led by Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, the group has openly declared its intention to remake Bangladesh in the image of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. In a chilling July 2025 interview, Karim promised the implementation of Sharia law, the purging of secularism, and claimed that minorities would have "rights"—but only under Islamic interim government under Muhammad Yunus has struggled to maintain control, whilst minorities face mounting violence. According to the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, over 2,000 incidents of attacks on minorities occurred in just 16 days following Hasina's departure. Hindu temples have been torched, businesses looted, and families terrorised by emboldened radical India, this isn't merely a neighbouring crisis—it's a security nightmare. The 4,096-kilometre border with Bangladesh has become a frontline for counter-radicalisation efforts. Indian agencies have detected increased chatter from extremist groups attempting to radicalise youth in West Bengal and Assam. The Border Security Force has responded by deploying surveillance drones, tightening fencing, and increasing situation is further complicated by reports of Pakistan's ISI embedding itself in the chaos, allegedly training Bangladeshi youth and supplying arms to build anti-India networks. New Delhi faces an impossible choice: engage with a radicalising Bangladesh and risk legitimising extremists, or isolate Dhaka and potentially push it further into Islamist Bangladesh edges towards theocratic rule, the implications extend far beyond its borders, threatening regional stability and India's security interests.- Ends
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First Post
07-07-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Radical Islamist group vows ‘Afghanistan-style' Sharia rule in Bangladesh
The radical Islamist group Jamaat-Char Monai has publicly declared its intent to reshape Bangladesh along the lines of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, with its leader saying that the imposition of Sharia law is part of the group's agenda, according to a report read more The radical Islamist group Jamaat-Char Monai has publicly declared its intention to reshape Bangladesh along the lines of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, with its leader saying that the imposition of Sharia law is part of the group's agenda. According to a Times of India report, in a July 1 interview with Khaled Muhiuddin, a US-based Bangladeshi journalist and editor-in-chief of Thikana News, Char Monai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim said, 'If govt is formed by winning the national election, the Islamic Movement Bangladesh will introduce Sharia law in the country.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'The current governance system of Afghanistan will be followed,' he said. 'If we come to power, Hindus will also get rights in Sharia law that we will introduce. The rights of minorities will also be implemented,' Karim was quoted as saying. He also said that 'good things' of the US, the UK and Russia that do not conflict with Sharia will be accepted. Meanwhile, Bangladesh's Awami League party sharply slammed the interim government's silence on the matter, questioning whether it stems from 'negligence or deliberate complicity.' Raising alarm over rising violence and sectarian attacks, the party asked whether the assaults on temples, disruption of religious practices, targeting of women, and erosion of secular values reflect the true intentions of the so-called 'July Movement.' Since the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August last year, Bangladesh has seen a spike in extremist activity. Under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, radical groups have increasingly resorted to violence and provocation, particularly against minority communities. Analysts suggest that these radical forces may have collaborated with student leaders and Yunus in the movement to topple the elected Awami League government. In a press conference on Tuesday, the Awami League presented alarming statistics on human rights violations, accusing the interim administration of plunging the country into a state of 'brutal anarchy.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The party described Bangladesh as a 'blood-stained nation' under the Yunus-led regime, citing a breakdown in safety, justice, and leadership. According to data shared by the party, 63 cases of rape were reported in June alone, including 17 gang rapes. Among the survivors were seven women and girls with disabilities. Additionally, 19 children and 23 teenage girls were raped. The month also saw 39 cases of sexual harassment and 51 physical assaults on women. With inputs from agencies
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
A Bangladesh radical group vows to model country on Taliban-run Afghanistan
DHAKA: Radical Islamic group Jamaat-Char Monai has openly vowed to model Bangladesh on the lines of Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, with its leader saying that introducing Sharia law in the country will be part of the agenda. In an interview with US-based Bangladeshi journalist and editor-in-chief of Thikana News Khalded Muhiuddin on July 1, Char Monai Pir Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim said, "If govt is formed by winning the national election, the Islamic Movement Bangladesh will introduce Sharia law in the country." "The current governance system of Afghanistan will be followed," he said. "If we come to power, Hindus will also get rights in Sharia law that we will introduce. The rights of minorities will also be implemented," Karim assured. He also said that "good things" of the US, the UK and Russia that do not conflict with Sharia will be accepted.
