New Delhi | September 15,2025 | SKY LINK TIMES
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor warns India has cautioned that India cannot afford to overlook the political tremors in neighboring Bangladesh after the student wing of Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) swept elections at Dhaka University Central Students’ Union (DUCSU).
In an opinion piece published on NDTV, Tharoor described the development as “a worrying portent of things to come”, warning that the aftershocks could soon affect India’s security and diplomatic interests.
Table of Contents
A Stunning Political Shift at Dhaka University
For the first time since Bangladesh’s independence in 1971, the Islamist student group has gained control of DUCSU, traditionally a stronghold of secular and progressive student politics. Tharoor stressed that the result reflects widespread disillusionment with the country’s two main political forces—the Awami League and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)— long associated with corruption, nepotism, and violent power struggles.
According to Tharoor, the Jamaat’s win is less about ideological endorsement and more a “desperate cry for an alternative”. He pointed out that Sheikh Hasina’s fall after a student-led uprising and the fragile interim government under Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus created the opening for Jamaat’s re-emergence.
Jamaat’s New Political Opening
The Jamaat, which was previously banned and suppressed by the Awami League, is now seizing fertile ground to rebuild its influence. With the Awami League dissolved and the BNP weakened by internal crises, Tharoor argued that the Islamist party is well-positioned to transform grassroots student support into parliamentary gains during Bangladesh’s 2026 general elections.
He highlighted that the younger generation of Bangladeshi voters—who did not experience Jamaat’s controversial role during the 1971 Liberation War—are more receptive to its messaging of change.
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Risks for India and the Region
Shashi Tharoor underlined the potential implications for India if Jamaat gains significant political power in Dhaka. He warned that:
• A Jamaat-led government could embolden anti-India elements.
• Pakistan’s ISI might find an ally in Dhaka, increasing regional instability.
• Bangladesh’s Hindu minority could face renewed vulnerability under Islamist dominance.
• The core ideology of JeI, rooted in rejecting secular democracy, raises red flags about governance and foreign policy.
He stressed that India’s long-standing strategic partnership with Bangladesh—vital for trade, connectivity, and security—may be at risk.
Tharoor’s Call for Vigilance
“The Dhaka University election is a wake-up call. It is a sign that the political tectonic plates in Bangladesh are shifting,” Tharoor wrote.
He urged New Delhi to closely monitor developments, engage with emerging actors including factions within Jamaat, and prepare for a future where India may no longer have a reliable and friendly government in Dhaka.
“Events in our neighborhood are never purely internal affairs,” he emphasized, adding that early preparation is crucial to navigate the challenges ahead.
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