Abstract
Bangladesh, born in 1971 as a secular and democratic state, through India’s military intervention, has undergone a gradual yet profound transformation marked by political instability, military dominance, and increasing religious radicalisation. This paper traces Bangladesh’s post-independence trajectory— from the assassination of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to the consolidation of Islamist forces through military regimes, dynastic politics, and foreign interferences—particularly from Pakistan and, indirectly, the United States. The regime change of 2024 is examined as a culmination of long-standing political repression, economic distress, and externally supported destabilisation, resulting in heightened anti-India sentiment and persecution of religious minorities, especially Hindus. The study argues that post-2024 Bangladesh poses serious security, economic, and geopolitical challenges for India, including renewed proxy war, refugee influx, insurgency risks, and great-power competition in India’s eastern neighbourhood.
“The larger project of avenging the defeat of 1971 will be resumed at the first sign of BNP govt faltering and it will be replenished with visceral anti-India activity” (Dasgupta, S. 2026).
‘We will take it to Kolkata’- Pak Defence minister warning India of strikes in future conflict (TOI, 2026).
Keywords: Secularism to Islamisation, Regime change, Political repression, Religious persecution (Hindus), Proxy warfare
