If India attacks Pakistan, then the objectionable comment of the former Bangladesh officer
Inflammatory rhetoric from Bangladesh continues. A few weeks after Mohammad Yunus’s sharp reaction by the Northeast leaders on the “Chicken Neck” comment, a retired officer of Bangladesh has made a similar comment on the Indian territory citing increasing tension between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack. Major General ALM Fazalur Rahman (retired) was once the head of Bangladesh Rifles (now Border Guards Bangladesh). Rahman has told his government that if India fights with Pakistan, then the northeastern region of India should be captured.
However, a senior Bangladesh official has termed it as a comment made by the retired officer in his personal status, Shafiqul Alam, Head of the Government of Bangladesh, said that his comment does not reflect the government’s views. There has been no response from the Government of India so far in this matter.
Rehman’s Pilkhana massacre investigation
On April 22, at least 26 people were killed in the Pahalgam attack, whose relations of Pakistan were spoiled. Pakistan is known for her sheltering terrorism targeting Jammu and Kashmir of India. Both countries have taken diplomatic steps and many Pakistani leaders have made inflammatory comments for the war.
Amidst the ongoing tension between India and Pakistan, Major General Rahman’s comment strengthens his image as an anti-India voice in the neighboring country.
The retired military officer is currently assigned an investigation into the 2009 Pilkhana massacre, killing 74 people, including military officers, during the rebellion at the headquarters of Bangladesh Rifles. In this way the post of retired military officer is equal to the Appellate Division Judge of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh takes possession of northeastern states: Rahman
He wrote in Bengali on Facebook, “If India attacks Pakistan, Bangladesh should capture all the northeastern states.”
Including China, he said, “I think Bangladesh should talk to China about a joint military decision in this regard.”
Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry immediately separated the government from their comments. The ministry said in a statement, “This comment does not reflect the status or policies of the Bangladesh government and hence the government does not support such rhetoric in any form or manner.”
Inflammatory statements coming after Pahalgam attack
Despite this explanation, inflammatory statements of senior officials appointed by Muhammad Yunus have been coming regularly since the Pahalgam attack. Asif Nazrul, a law advisor to the interim government, made an objectionable and irresponsible statement on the Pahalgam murder case. He later removed his Facebook post citing “wrong bayani”.
Recently, he met a terrorist Harun Ezhar, a terrorist associated with Lashkar-e-Taiba, in his office, which revealed sharp reactions to Bangladesh’s policy on terrorism. Later Nazrul clarified that he met only Hijjat-e-Islam leaders and claimed that he was not associated with any terrorist organization.
Major General Rahman’s remarks are also being seen as Muhammad Yunus’ ideas on his government’s relations with China. A few weeks ago, Younus described the northeastern region of India as land surrounded by land and invited China to expand the region by calling Bangladesh a “mentor”.
PM Modi also gave a tough message
The post of Muhammad Yunus as the Chief Advisor is equal to the Prime Minister in the interim system in Bangladesh, where no election has been held since the fall of the Hasina government in August.
India reacted sharply to his statement and Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a tough message during a face-to-face meeting with Muhammad Yunus during the BIMSTEC summit in Bangkok earlier this year.
PM Modi had suggested that Dhaka should avoid the “rhetoric that spoil the atmosphere”.
Responding to Yunus, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said, “Cooperation does not mean selected people.”