Bangladeshi Islamist Leader Issues Threats to India Amid Calls for Freedom in Bengal
Summary
Jashimuddin Rahmani, chief of the Ansarullah Bangla Team, threatened India in a recent video, calling for West Bengal to declare independence from Modi’s governance. He warned against any aggressive moves by India, emphasizing the Muslim majority of Bangladesh, and showed support for Kashmir’s freedom movement and Khalistani claims. Rahmani’s statements heighten concerns over regional stability following his release from prison in 2024.
Jashimuddin Rahmani, the leader of the Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), a terrorist organization affiliated with al-Qaeda in Bangladesh, has issued a series of alarming threats towards India, specifically directed at West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. In a recent two-minute video message, Rahmani called upon Banerjee to liberate Bengal from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance and suggested that she declare independence for the region. He emphasized that Bangladesh, with its population of 180 million Muslims, is not comparable to smaller states like Sikkim and Bhutan. In his threats, Rahmani voiced his intentions to retaliate violently against India should there be any perceived aggressions towards Bangladesh, warning, “If you look at Bangladesh, we will gouge eyes. If you stretch a hand, we will cut the hand, and if you take any step, we will break the leg.” Additionally, he warned that China could be mobilized to affect India’s critical Siliguri corridor and urged citizens of India’s northeastern states to join a freedom movement. Furthermore, he expressed solidarity with the Kashmir freedom movement and encouraged supporters of Khalistan to act, stating, “I will tell the Sikhs that your time has come; now call for freedom.” Rahmani assured that Bangladesh does not seek conflict but will defend its sovereignty if necessary, declaring, “If we are challenged, if we are neglected…the Tawhid population of Bangladesh…will unite to face you in the field.” Rahmani was previously imprisoned for his involvement in the murder of secular bloggers and was released in August 2024 under the interim leadership of Muhammed Yunus. The video has garnered significant attention, and its authenticity has been verified by a Dhaka-based fact-checker, as reported by India Today.
The current geopolitical climate between Bangladesh and India has been historically sensitive, especially concerning territorial integrity and religious demographics. Groups like the Ansarullah Bangla Team represent a fraction of radical Islamic sentiments against perceived governmental or foreign interference, particularly those from India. Jashimuddin Rahmani’s release from prison underlines the potential resurgence of extremist ideas that pose a challenge to regional stability. As such ideologies emerge, they can disrupt diplomatic relations and incite violence, particularly in the context of historical grievances and nationalist sentiments.
In summary, Jashimuddin Rahmani’s recent threats towards India serve as a stark reminder of the underlying tensions between Bangladesh and India, especially concerning radical elements that may exploit such sentiments for their agendas. The call for independence by Rahmani reflects broader regional challenges that could have serious implications not only for Indo-Bangladeshi relations but also for internal stability within these nations.
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