Latest news with #PohelaBoishakh
Mint
18-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
Turkey-backed group circulates ‘Greater Bangladesh' map showing parts of India: Report
A Turkish backed NGO in Dhaka allegedly displayed maps of 'Greater Bangladesh' — that comprised several Indian states of Eastern and Northeast regions. Sources told the Economic Times that the so-called "Greater Bangladesh" includes Myanmar's Arakan State, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the entire Northeast region of India. The map reportedly appeared in university halls across Dhaka, areas frequented by youth and students. It may be recalled that figures sympathetic to the Yunus regime have previously called for the annexation of India's northeastern states into Bangladesh, the report added. Earlier in April, a picture from TSC, Dhaka University had emerged, showing a person taking a picture with the "map of greater Bangladesh named Saltanat-E-Bangla containing different parts of India" on the occassion of of Pohela Boishakh( Bangla New Year). The development came as India-Bangladesh relations nosedived dramatically after Yunus failed to contain attacks on minorities, especially Hindus, in that country. This development, coupled with increased Turkish military engagement and NGO activity since the Yunus regime came to power, raises concerns about Islamist influence. According to ET, Turkey is increasing its influence in Bangladesh, mirroring its relationship with Pakistan. Turkey has reportedly stepped up its engagement through proposed military supplies to the Bangladesh armed forces. Turkish NGOs aligned with the ruling AKP have also grown increasingly active in Bangladesh, with Pakistan allegedly playing a role in bringing the two countries closer since August last year. Experts on Turkish affairs told ET that the extent of Muslim Brotherhood influence on Bangladesh's Islamists, as well as the role of Turkish NGOs, must be closely monitored. Bangladesh is a big competitor of India in the textile sector. The India-Bangladesh trade stood at USD 12.9 billion in 2023-24.
Express Tribune
13-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Effigy resembling Hasina burnt in Dhaka
An effigy said to resemble ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and titled "Face of Fascism" was torched ahead of a celebratory march in Dhaka, authorities said on Saturday. The cane-and-paper effigy was part of preparations being made at Dhaka University for Pohela Boishakh, a day symbolically considered as the start of the year by the Bengali community, on Monday. The effigy portrayed a woman with a toothy grin, four horns on her head and a large nose, with many on social media believing it resembled Hasina. Mohammed Azharul Islam Sheikh, dean of the university's fine arts faculty, said it was set on fire by "unidentified persons" early on Saturday. A complaint was raised with police and an investigation will be undertaken, he said. However, Bangladesh cultural affairs adviser Mostofa Sarwar Farooki accused "friends of Hasina" of setting fire to it. "Those who have shown such reckless audacity... will be brought to justice," he wrote on his Facebook page. Another structure on the site, a dove representing peace, was also damaged in the fire. Fire service and civil defence spokesperson Shahjahan Sikder told reporters that the cause of the fire was unknown. The annual march has been organised by Dhaka University's fine arts department since 1989 and was declared an "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" by UNESCO in 2016. Hasina is wanted on charges of crimes against humanity for the killing of hundreds of protesters during the unrest that toppled her government last August. She has defied extradition requests from Bangladesh after she fled to old ally India as crowds stormed her palace.
