Originally published at https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/authoritarian-drift-in-dhaka-indias-role-in-upholding-minority-rights-and-democracy-ws-e-13914947.html
As South Asia grapples with rising authoritarianism and political instability, India’s role as a democratic stabiliser is being increasingly tested. Nowhere is this more evident than in Bangladesh, where a deepening governance crisis under the interim government has sparked global concern.
Systematic repression of minorities, curtailed press freedoms, erosion of democratic checks and balances, and judicial partisanship have combined to undermine the foundational pluralism of Bangladesh. At the same time, Pakistan’s blatant violation of the Karachi Agreement with India exposes Islamabad’s continued disregard for historical commitments and regional peace.
In this volatile environment, India bears both a strategic imperative and a moral obligation to uphold minority rights, regional pluralism, and democratic accountability. Anchored by its civilisational ties, shared borders, and principled commitment to inclusive governance, New Delhi must position itself as a proactive guardian of regional stability and human rights.
Deepening Governance Crisis
Under the current interim administration, Bangladesh has witnessed a disturbing rollback of civil liberties. With the general elections clouded by allegations of voter suppression, institutional bias, and selective disqualification of opposition voices, democracy in Dhaka is under severe strain. More alarmingly, minority communities—especially Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists—have borne the brunt of this democratic decline.
There has been a spike in communal violence, often orchestrated under the guise of maintaining “public order.” Properties and temples of minority citizens have been vandalised with impunity, with state protection often either absent or complicit. Hindu communities, concentrated in regions like Khulna, Sylhet, and Chittagong, face socio-political marginalisation that threatens their very identity.
Judicial impartiality, too, has eroded significantly. Courts are increasingly seen as instruments of political control rather than protectors of constitutional rights. Journalists exposing human rights violations are harassed, detained, or silenced, shrinking the space for civil discourse.
Standing Up for Pluralism
India is not a passive observer in Bangladesh’s trajectory. It shares a 4,096-kilometre border with Bangladesh—South Asia’s longest land border—and has deep historical and cultural linkages, especially with the people of Bangladesh. India’s pivotal role in the 1971 Liberation War and its enduring political, economic, and security cooperation with Dhaka further bolster its standing.
Given this context, India has both a strategic and moral responsibility to act.
Strategic Imperative: A destabilised Bangladesh can easily spill over into India’s sensitive northeastern states, aggravating illegal migration, cross-border trafficking, and insurgent or terror activity. Regional instability also weakens collective efforts against terrorism and disrupts Bay of Bengal maritime security.
Moral Obligation: As the region’s most vibrant democracy, India must champion pluralism and minority rights, especially when these rights are under threat in neighbouring nations. India’s silence could be construed as tacit approval of oppression, weakening its democratic credentials and moral stature.
Through diplomatic engagement, multilateral forums, and backchannel diplomacy, India must press Dhaka for concrete guarantees of minority protection, judicial independence, and press freedom. Quiet diplomacy must be balanced with public posturing that sends a strong message about India’s unwavering commitment to democratic norms.
Towards a Rights-Based Regional Doctrine
India’s regional doctrine needs an explicit rights-based dimension. Instead of reactive diplomacy, India should adopt a proactive stance that integrates democratic values, human rights, and pluralism into its neighbourhood engagement strategy.
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This could include establishing a South Asia Minority Rights Watch under Indian auspices; regular parliamentary resolutions condemning violations of democratic norms in the neighbourhood; leveraging trade, aid, and connectivity projects to incentivise democratic reforms in Bangladesh; and strengthening regional alliances with democratic partners to build diplomatic consensus around human rights.
India Must Lead with Courage and Conviction
As Bangladesh flounders under authoritarian drift and Pakistan tramples over historic commitments, India must not be a silent bystander. Its leadership in South Asia is not merely geographical; it is moral and civilisational. Protecting minority rights, upholding democratic accountability, and challenging regional duplicity are not just strategic options—they are moral imperatives.
In defending pluralism abroad, India affirms its own democratic soul at home and stakes its rightful claim as the conscience-keeper of South Asia.
