Terror and Transition- Lashkar’s alleged role in Ousting Hasina’s Government

In a recent political rally in Gurjanwala, Pakistan which marked the 27th anniversary of the country’s nuclear weapons acquisition, Lashkar-e-Taiba’s commander made strong claims of its role in the ouster of Sheikh Hasina in 2024.The recent allegations by terrorist groups have placed the Bangladesh political turmoil at the centre stage, in the light of  the purported participation of outside parties. Lashkar-e-Taiba has been historically associated with numerous terror attacks in Bangladesh, especially regarding the  attacks against Hasina and other Awami League leaders in the early 2000s.

But what makes the recent speech by Muzammil Hazmi unique is LeT’s involvement in political upheavals and subsequent resignation of Sheikh Hasina following her self imposed exile. Reports and additional speculations suggest that LeT along with other terror outfits like Jamaat-e-Islami have contributed to the transformation of the student led movement to one demanding the ousting of Hasina and toppling of government. Although these claims remain unverified, they highlight the intricacies of regional politics and the difficulties of maintaining sovereignty in the face of external demands.

The Yunus led government is still tackling to manoeuvre the state in a post-Hasina era, recent claims by Hazmi have spurred the discussions regarding the external interference in internal instability. The bold declaration of external involvement at the part of a terror group raises speculations of slacking sovereignty and external dependency on non-state actors to carry out the domestic political system.

The 1971 grudge:

Hazmi, a senior figure in LeT and UN designated terrorist, in his speech resurfaced the animosity due to the 1971 division of Pakistan and applauded the role of Lashkar-e-Taiba in the ousting of Sheikh Hasina’s government. These claims, however unverified and still under speculations, have concerned international spectators about external militant forces being active stakeholders within internal political dynamics of Bangladesh.

As Bangladesh traverses its post-Hasina political terrain, these developments highlight the intricacies of regional politics and the difficulties of maintaining sovereignty in the face of external forces.

In such a storm-tossed regional situation, questions rise regarding the sovereignty of countries and the ease with which alien actors pave their way through the ousting of a foreign government.

Yunus and changing relations with Pakistan:

Reports suggest that the interim government, headed by Mohammad Yunus, has carried out actions favouring Pakistan which adds ground to the claims by LeT heads. Heading a military backed government, Yunus is working with a loose grip towards pakistani army and Pakistan, in comparison to Hasina or any head of the state of the past. Yunus’s government proceeded to re-register the Jamaat-e-Islami party, which had been banned for its role in the 1971 Liberation War but banned the activities of Awami League which challenged his initial vision of protecting the state’s democratic structures.

With welcoming the Pakistani army for military exercises to ease out the visa process for its nationals, he is also credited to the resurgence of radical islam in the state. Analysts may speculate Lashkar's claim but one cannot separate underpinnings of their ideology from Yunus’s method of working.

Additionally, severing of ties with India and being vocal supporters of Pakistan during the aftermath of Pahalgam attacks in April, is a visible acknowledgement on Bangladesh’s part seeking out for external support in a time where Bangladesh is still struggling for a Post-Hasina growth.

Terrorism as the last resort:

In the aftermath of Pahalgam attacks on India, Pakistan held state funerals for killed terrorists, calling them as state-martials. These new build ups on part of Pakistan along with the recent statements by Hazmi have strengthened the speculations that non-state actors have gradually become important stakeholders in state activities. Additionally, banners and billboards across Pakistan are glorifying these militant groups, often positioned alongside images of Army Chief General Asim Munir. This juxtaposition suggests the diminishing difference between state and non state actors within Pakistan. Such state supported structure granted to these terror outfits is the key to understanding the rising activities, not just violent attacks but also chaos and dismantling of systems beyond the borders of the state of Pakistan. 

These militant groups, their rising influence across the region along with the support they garner from the state destabilizes regional security. The recent rhetoric, claims and threats against Indian government and Bangladesh’s sovereignty, even though shrouded in politics, is heavily in sync with growing influence of terror groups in regional politics. LeT's integration into Pakistan's political landscape is evident through its political wing, the Milli Muslim League (MML), which provides terror outfits to be active stakeholders in domestic politics and directing regional stability.

With its leaders claiming to be the harbinger of political upheaval in Bangladesh and being a constant threat to Indian security, questions on extremism and sovereignty become important. Regionally, terrorist groups are present and supported heavily by extended neighbours of the region like China, which fuels security threats in South Asia.

Regional Implications:

Sources and reports have shown rising connection and collaboration between Lashkar and Ansarullah Bangla Team which has accelerated islamic extremism in Bangladesh resulting in minority suppression especially the Hindu marginalized communities. Apart from strengthening Pakistan-Bangladesh ties, the Chinese fanaticism within the Bangladesh political arena has alerted political spectators, especially Indian intelligence over growing security concerns.

Influx of refugees from Bangladesh, growing military and ammunition deals between Pakistan and Bangladesh along with Lashkar’s self-proclaimed involvement in internal politics have raised more questions about growing militarization within the region and dilution of friendly diplomatic ties.

Implications for India:

Sheikh Hasina’s tenure was forever characterised by strong Indo-Bangladesh relations in all facets of regional ties and this is also evident with Hasina opting India as a safe haven for her self imposed exile. The advent of a new leadership, possibly less attuned to India's security interests, heightens the likelihood of escalated cross-border terrorism and insurgency.

In a recent interview with BBC Bangla, the Chief Advisor dismissed the claims of weakening of indo-bangla relations,  the actions however don't match the words. His recent remarks of collaborating with China to occupy the North-East if India attacks Pakistan in the wake of Pahalgam attack paved the way for further deterioration of bilateral ties. Due to its geographical proximity with Bangladesh, the North Eastern states are the most vulnerable to political downfalls.

The alleged claims by Lashkar-e-Taiba, in actuality, were made against Indian leadership. Hazmi in his staunch remarks expressed LeT’s capability of overthrowing governments beyond its territorial borders and underlined his speech by the resentment against India for its pivotal role in Bangladesh’s independence.

Conclusion:

Ever since the student movement of 2024, Bangladesh has been walking on eggshells of political affairs. Growing favourable relationships with Pakistan and China and weakened ones with India has fueled speculations in favour of Hazmi’s recent speech. Apart from the claims and activities, internal activities have spiralled their way into regional instability which raises concerns about the fading away of state sovereignty, growing terror threat within the region and diminishing value of diplomacy as the tool of state interactions.

Noting significant shifts in Bangladesh’s external relations with strengthened ties with Pakistan and China and subsequent sidelining of India in its foreign policy have turned the South Asian dynamics with active non-state actors as major actors in regional politics.

alleged role in Ousting Hasina’s Government