Vantage | Why Bangladesh opposition's 'India Out' campaign won't take it far

In Bangladesh, a novel political campaign is gaining traction, echoing trends seen in neighbouring nations. While the origins of the movement can be traced back to the Maldives, it has found its way into the political landscape of Bangladesh, particularly within the opposition. This campaign, spearheaded by the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), is centred around the call to boycott Indian products, a strategy that seems to be led by Tarique Rahman, the acting chairman of the BNP and the son of former leaders Ziaur Rahman and Khaleda Zia.

The BNP, a party that once held a significant grip on the nation, faced a decline after losing power in 2009. Subsequent election boycotts and minimal success in the 2019 polls have left the party in a state of crisis. It is within this context that the BNP has adopted the ‘India Out’ strategy as part of a new political manoeuvre.

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Tarique Rahman’s role

Reports suggest that Tarique Rahman, residing in exile in London, is orchestrating the ‘India Out’ campaign from abroad. Rahman’s influence adds a unique dimension to the party’s initiatives.

The ‘India Out’ campaign is predominantly playing out on social media platforms. Various accounts, including one with over 50,000 followers, are using hashtags such as #IndiaOut to propagate the message of boycotting Indian products.

Despite the campaign’s momentum, the basis of its narrative appears confusing. Accusations that India is interfering in Bangladesh’s affairs are contradicted by the fact that Bangladesh has prospered and is on track to become a developing nation by 2026.

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Historical context

Under BNP rule, Bangladesh had closer ties with Pakistan, leading to societal radicalisation and anti-India sentiments. The subsequent leadership of Sheikh Hasina has worked to correct these imbalances, aligning the country with the vision of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who believed in a close association between Bangladesh and India.

Recent changes in the Bangladesh cabinet have raised eyebrows, with notable pro-India figures like Abdul Momen and Abdur Razzaq being replaced. However, analysts caution against reading too much into these alterations, as the reshuffling involves a broader reset, with some new faces being introduced.

The ‘India Out’ campaign in Bangladesh appears to be a desperate political strategy employed by the BNP to regain relevance. While social media amplifies the message, the nation’s history and current political landscape suggest that such tactics may not resonate with the broader population of Bangladesh, a country of 170 million people that stands strong against external intimidation. The future trajectory of this campaign and its impact on diplomatic relations will unfold in the coming months.

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.

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