Al Qaeda-connected BNP admits of running ‘India Out’ movement

Although Mahfuz Anam, editor of Dhaka’s English newspaper The Daily Star and his assigned writer and Jamaat-e-Islami activist Qadarudding Shishir made frantic bids in hiding the fact of Al Qaeda connected Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)’s affiliations with ongoing “India Out” notoriety in Bangladesh, finally the matter has become crystal clear as commenting on “India Out” notoriety, Rumeen Farhana, international affairs of the BNP told Al Jazeera, that the people of Bangladesh never liked India’s interference in Bangladesh politics. “It’s now crystal clear that India did everything possible to keep the regime in power since 2014”, she alleged.

She said, “Resentment against India reached a boiling point in Bangladesh after Hasina’s Awami League secured a resounding victory in the January 7 elections, capturing 223 seats out of 300 in parliament. Critics alleged the process lacked legitimacy due to the opposition’s boycott and the presence of numerous Awami League-backed independent candidates, raising questions about the fairness of the vote.

“Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered swift congratulations to both Hasina and “the people of Bangladesh for the successful conduct of elections”, endorsing the outcome. In contrast, Western governments expressed reservations, highlighting the boycott and the lack of a strong opposition presence.

Anti-India public sentiment in Bangladesh goes beyond politics. The border killing, unresolved water sharing of 53 rivers including Teesta, trade deficit all play roles to that”.

This statement of Al Qaeda connected BNP’s front-ranking leader evidently proves – this party is definitely behind the ongoing “India Out” movement, and at their instructions, BNP activists and its ultra-Islamist and anti-India elements are continuing anti-India propaganda on social media platforms.

It is even learnt from several sources that members of BNP and its jihadist allies such as Ansar Al Islam (local franchise of AQIS), Hizb ut Tahrir, Hefazat-e-Islam as well as armed cadres of BNP are threatening shop owners and traders in Bangladesh to refrain from selling Indian products. They even are plotting terrorist and arson attacks targeting warehouses of Indian goods.

Taking undue advantage of such evil plots of ultra-Islamist forces, Al Jazeera in its report on February 7, 2024 gave a false description stating – responding to BNP’s “India Out” movement, Bangladeshi consumers have started boycotting Indian products.

Al Jazeera in its report said, “Amid allegations of Indian interference in national elections, there’s a call to boycott Indian goods in Bangladesh. Last week, a supplier for the Indian consumer goods giant Marico faced a chilly reception in Dhaka’s Panthapath area. Grocery shops, usually eager to stock their shelves with its hair oil, cooking oil, body lotion and other products, refused to take new deliveries”.

It further said, “… Simmering anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh has boiled over in the past decade, culminating in public displays such as celebrations in Dhaka last year after India’s loss in the Cricket World Cup final.

“But after last month’s elections in Bangladesh, in which Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured a fourth term while the opposition boycotted the polls, a massive “India Out” campaign was launched, alleging Indian interference in Bangladesh politics.

“The Bangladeshi diaspora and opposition groups have fueled this anti-India movement and advocated boycotts of Indian products. This movement mirrors similar campaigns in the Maldives, where Mohamed Muizzu capitalized on anti-India sentiment to win the presidential election.

“In Dhaka, the campaign was launched against the backdrop of India’s traditionally strong ties with Hasina’s government and its strained relationship with the opposition, leading many to believe India favored the status quo”.

Al Jazeera in its anti-India report termed Jamaat-e-Islami activists Pinaki Bhattacharya as “exiled Bangladeshi physician” stating “Exiled Bangladeshi physician Pinaki Bhattacharya, who fled alleged government harassment in 2018, has emerged as the key figure in this burgeoning social media movement accusing India of interfering in Bangladesh’s recent elections to keep Hasina in power.

“Through his more than two million followers across social media platforms, Bhattacharya launched the #BoycottIndia campaign in mid-January, urging them to join “this monumental endeavor”. His call, emphasizing love of homeland and determination to break free from perceived shackles, resonated with thousands”.

According to media sources, years ago, Pinaki, a diehard anti-India individual was hired by Pakistani spy agency Inter Service Intelligence (ISI) for running propaganda against India and promoting anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. In addition to his nefarious propaganda against Bangladesh, Pinaki has been categorically active in running propaganda offensives against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Other targets of Pinaki Bhattacharya are the China, Russia and secularist forces. Pinaki has also been supportive to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir as well as other parts of India. He has been one of the defenders of Afghan Taliban, Al Qaeda, Islamic State (ISIS) and Hamas.

According to an Indian website, a self-proclaimed activist Pinaki Bhattacharya is anti-Hindu and anti-India extremist. He has been regularly publishing contents defaming Hindu religion.

It said, Pinaki became popular amongst radical Muslims and anti-India and anti-Hindu bloc in Bangladesh for his jihadist and anti-India publications. He persuaded Bangladeshi Muslims to wage jihad against the Hindus and join jihadist forces in Jammu and Kashmir in India.

In Bangladesh, Pinaki was accused of selling counterfeit medicines and sexual drugs. Under the garb of a pharmaceutical company, Pinaki Bhattacharya was also involved in producing Yaba, which is a combination of methamphetamine (a powerful and addictive stimulant) and caffeine.

According to information, Pinaki has been selling Yaba to Lebanese Hezbollah as well as other terrorist groups in the Middle East through infamous Dawood Ibrahim’s D Company.

Several years ago, at the influence of Jamaat-e-Islami and Tablighi Jamaat, Pinaki Bhattacharya left Hindu religion and became Muslim.