General Shankar’s warning is nothing new
Former Indian Chief of Indian Army General Shankar Roy Chowdhury in an interview published in the London edition of the Indian English daily on the 24th March has stated on a range of issues wherein two points seem to me to be critically important. One, in his verbatim, ‘Delhi can not afford to let Dhaka slip of its radar.’ Second, point there is what he termed as the issue of ‘Great Game’ at stake. The interview came at a time when Bangladesh has deeply been mourning the unprecedented savage killing of about five dozens of senior army officers in a mayhem for 33 hours at the BDR head quarter compound enclosure at the Peelkhana, Dhaka. Not only that the massacre was made in pre-planned way but also amazingly in full knowledge of the elected government, not excluding the P.M., Sheikh Hasina. In fact, she admitted to have known the news and appeal from the BDR DG Major General Shakil Ahmad right at the start of the killing started in frenzy that the DG was still alive and so sent a SOS to the P.M. Hasina at about 9 in the morning of 25 February to save his life and other army officers under attack. The killers happened to the BDR Jawans in the main who claimed to have some grievances of lower pay, poor service conditions, lack of full ration, and along with that misbehavior of the bosses who happened to be all from the regular army and not from the BDR cadre itself that also made one of their grievances.
The BDR massacre engineered not for petty demands
Could the grievances of the petty kind and demand to fulfill them might have led to the kind of unprecedented killing and massacre of about 60 brilliant and high ranking army officers, violating their women, looting of the valuables from the houses of those fell victims, defiling of the dead bodies, putting them into mass graves, throwing some dead bodies into sewerage manholes to flow down the drains all those brutality continued for 33 hours the BDR Jawans kept on hold and none, much less army commando permitted to intervene by the P.M., despite appeals from the army end to save lives of those being killed inside the BDR Head quarter enclosure. Who is to blame for the whole bits and pieces of the unprecedented brutal massacre? Only those who perpetrated the mayhem? None else is to blame anything for in the top of the administrative hierarchy?
Could the grievances of the petty kind and demand to fulfill them might have led to the kind of unprecedented killing and massacre of about 60 brilliant and high ranking army officers, violating their women, looting of the valuables from the houses of those fell victims, defiling of the dead bodies, putting them into mass graves, throwing some dead bodies into sewerage manholes to flow down the drains all those brutality continued for 33 hours the BDR Jawans kept on hold and none, much less army commando permitted to intervene by the P.M., despite appeals from the army end to save lives of those being killed inside the BDR Head quarter enclosure. Who is to blame for the whole bits and pieces of the unprecedented brutal massacre? Only those who perpetrated the mayhem? None else is to blame anything for in the top of the administrative hierarchy?
Indian media’s propaganda galore
Delhi and Indian media, however, did pass on enough of information in regard to the their perception of who might have been behind the scene. They blamed the game on to the ISI or the Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence agency and their operatives. They further discovered that the whole brutality was engineered to destabilize the seven weeks old government of Bangladesh led by Sheikh Hasina, and so Pronob, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Delhi issued open threat for saving Hasina against any such machinations. General Shankar’s warning to Bangladesh is the latest one in the line. But may be Shankar an army person avoided mincing words, and instead was straight forward in warning Bangladesh and also clearly hinting at India that Delhi can’t afford to let Bangladesh slip of the radar control of Delhi or of full control and surveillance of bigger and powerful India. He reminded as well the issue of ‘Great Game’ of the past that gave India at times victory and at other defeat that happens in case of war between two powers.
Delhi and Indian media, however, did pass on enough of information in regard to the their perception of who might have been behind the scene. They blamed the game on to the ISI or the Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence agency and their operatives. They further discovered that the whole brutality was engineered to destabilize the seven weeks old government of Bangladesh led by Sheikh Hasina, and so Pronob, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Delhi issued open threat for saving Hasina against any such machinations. General Shankar’s warning to Bangladesh is the latest one in the line. But may be Shankar an army person avoided mincing words, and instead was straight forward in warning Bangladesh and also clearly hinting at India that Delhi can’t afford to let Bangladesh slip of the radar control of Delhi or of full control and surveillance of bigger and powerful India. He reminded as well the issue of ‘Great Game’ of the past that gave India at times victory and at other defeat that happens in case of war between two powers.
Geographical disability and Indian evil design
The surveillance and all round control of Bangladesh by India are easily appreciable to all of average intelligence as she continued to do since the onset in 1972. But the other issue of Great game may not be clearly and readily understood by all of Bangladesh. As I understand, it is a matter of historical truth that the generation of the recent period is very much ignorant not for their own fault as the new generation turned helpless victims of truths of history for propaganda galore around than facts of truth even in school history books.
The surveillance and all round control of Bangladesh by India are easily appreciable to all of average intelligence as she continued to do since the onset in 1972. But the other issue of Great game may not be clearly and readily understood by all of Bangladesh. As I understand, it is a matter of historical truth that the generation of the recent period is very much ignorant not for their own fault as the new generation turned helpless victims of truths of history for propaganda galore around than facts of truth even in school history books.
Akhanda Bharat
India’s Great Game is well known to be directed for reestablishing the AKHANDA BHARAT or reunited pre-Aryan India including Afghanistan in the western end to Thailand in the East and so with further eye in the far East Asia – Indonesia and the Philippines. Bangladesh is the immediate and the first target in the Great Game in continuing conflict of the regional history. That is why they foiled the newly created East Bengal and Assam Province in early twentieth century (1905-1911). Then again 1947 partition and creation of East Pakistan became eye swore for them for the mid twentieth century partition went against the same Great Game. General Shankar has been very candidly clear that the 1971 war victory for India happened to be the first of the Great Game. He also lamented though that in August 1975 India had a defeat in the continuing game when their own man, Hasina’s father, was toppled from the State power in Dhaka. Since then they have been looking for scope for victory here in Bangladesh. Shankar did not make any hide and seek, much less minced words, in the fact that they have now Hasina in Dhaka that must pave their victory following the defeat of 1975. The radar thus has been set in the finest tune. Whether the BDR massacre of the late February had been orchestrated for the game plan is not clear from his statement. But the fact that they would rescue Hasina at any cost that people have been hearing from the horse’s mouth and all media gave a clear signal to Dhaka that Delhi is in all way out for Hasina and not for Bangladesh, much les the overwhelming people’s deep feelings of wound for the unforgettable massacre of many of its highly decorated brilliant sons.
India’s Great Game is well known to be directed for reestablishing the AKHANDA BHARAT or reunited pre-Aryan India including Afghanistan in the western end to Thailand in the East and so with further eye in the far East Asia – Indonesia and the Philippines. Bangladesh is the immediate and the first target in the Great Game in continuing conflict of the regional history. That is why they foiled the newly created East Bengal and Assam Province in early twentieth century (1905-1911). Then again 1947 partition and creation of East Pakistan became eye swore for them for the mid twentieth century partition went against the same Great Game. General Shankar has been very candidly clear that the 1971 war victory for India happened to be the first of the Great Game. He also lamented though that in August 1975 India had a defeat in the continuing game when their own man, Hasina’s father, was toppled from the State power in Dhaka. Since then they have been looking for scope for victory here in Bangladesh. Shankar did not make any hide and seek, much less minced words, in the fact that they have now Hasina in Dhaka that must pave their victory following the defeat of 1975. The radar thus has been set in the finest tune. Whether the BDR massacre of the late February had been orchestrated for the game plan is not clear from his statement. But the fact that they would rescue Hasina at any cost that people have been hearing from the horse’s mouth and all media gave a clear signal to Dhaka that Delhi is in all way out for Hasina and not for Bangladesh, much les the overwhelming people’s deep feelings of wound for the unforgettable massacre of many of its highly decorated brilliant sons.
India’s interest for weak Bangladesh defense
Weakening of the defense of Bangladesh is for nobody’s interest but for Delhi and Delhi alone. During the first decade Bangladesh defense was at a dismal state. It then never had any self-confidence to fight for preservation of the country’s sovereignty in practically facing Indian big army. But since late 1970s onwards for the last three decades Bangladesh army including the BDR has been continually raised to such a position that it can confidently resist aggression against the sovereignty of Bangladesh. That the confidence so build up in Bangladesh and in the defense, in particular, can not escape notice of India’s AKHANDA BHARAT design that they may well consider it a sort of threat against their winning in the Great Game. That is why one would imagine that Delhi might have planned to weaken both of our regular armed forces and the BDR, the second line of defense.
Weakening of the defense of Bangladesh is for nobody’s interest but for Delhi and Delhi alone. During the first decade Bangladesh defense was at a dismal state. It then never had any self-confidence to fight for preservation of the country’s sovereignty in practically facing Indian big army. But since late 1970s onwards for the last three decades Bangladesh army including the BDR has been continually raised to such a position that it can confidently resist aggression against the sovereignty of Bangladesh. That the confidence so build up in Bangladesh and in the defense, in particular, can not escape notice of India’s AKHANDA BHARAT design that they may well consider it a sort of threat against their winning in the Great Game. That is why one would imagine that Delhi might have planned to weaken both of our regular armed forces and the BDR, the second line of defense.
RAW’s operation in Bangladesh
It is well known in intellectual circle that Indian central intelligence agency, R&AW, has had planned and implemented Delhi’s many operations in Bangladesh for the goal Delhi has in view for their hegemony and control in the region. Shankar has mentioned not many but one of such instance in the interview. That was that R&AW had tried to feed much information about the overthrow of Mujib from the State power. But Mujib hardly cared for them that brought tragically his down fall in August 1975. Curiously enough, Shankar did not say anything about President Zia’s killing in 1981 that the R&AW had not only planned for years but also implemented with all ferocity. That the R&AW first did not have nod in the matter from an Indian P.M. and then subsequently got the nefarious scheme for killing Zia approved by Indira Gandhi in early 1980, the successive P.M. in her second term, was later on made public in Indian media itself. Hasina’s six year training under R&AW’s care and protection in Delhi’s South Block during August 1975 to mid May 1981 is a record of history. That she tried to flee Bangladesh on the day President Zia was killed in Chittagong on the 30th May 1981 by some rebels just only after 17 days of Hasina’s homecoming from self exile in India made possible by Zia’s charity and broadmindedness is also a matter of authentic history of Bangladesh.
It is well known in intellectual circle that Indian central intelligence agency, R&AW, has had planned and implemented Delhi’s many operations in Bangladesh for the goal Delhi has in view for their hegemony and control in the region. Shankar has mentioned not many but one of such instance in the interview. That was that R&AW had tried to feed much information about the overthrow of Mujib from the State power. But Mujib hardly cared for them that brought tragically his down fall in August 1975. Curiously enough, Shankar did not say anything about President Zia’s killing in 1981 that the R&AW had not only planned for years but also implemented with all ferocity. That the R&AW first did not have nod in the matter from an Indian P.M. and then subsequently got the nefarious scheme for killing Zia approved by Indira Gandhi in early 1980, the successive P.M. in her second term, was later on made public in Indian media itself. Hasina’s six year training under R&AW’s care and protection in Delhi’s South Block during August 1975 to mid May 1981 is a record of history. That she tried to flee Bangladesh on the day President Zia was killed in Chittagong on the 30th May 1981 by some rebels just only after 17 days of Hasina’s homecoming from self exile in India made possible by Zia’s charity and broadmindedness is also a matter of authentic history of Bangladesh.
Indian hegemony against Bangladesh
India as she wished may not desist herself from the hegemonic game plan. But despite being a much smaller country, Bangladesh must preserve her independence and sovereignty against any adversary. I would have thus thought that India should start to respect the sovereignty of Bangladesh, and try to make friendship with Bangladesh and not with any particular party or a person. Hasina just like her father Mujib had has all vengeance against the army since the historic event of August 1975. That hatred psyche of Hasina against the army should not urge India to hate and attempt to destroy the patriotic Bangladesh Army. Despite death wishes of Delhi to directly and militarily interfere into the internal affairs of Bangladesh, I am sure, the patriotic army and people would teach the aggressor in the Great Game a good lesson, despite Hasina’s working as a fifth columnist and lackey from within.
India as she wished may not desist herself from the hegemonic game plan. But despite being a much smaller country, Bangladesh must preserve her independence and sovereignty against any adversary. I would have thus thought that India should start to respect the sovereignty of Bangladesh, and try to make friendship with Bangladesh and not with any particular party or a person. Hasina just like her father Mujib had has all vengeance against the army since the historic event of August 1975. That hatred psyche of Hasina against the army should not urge India to hate and attempt to destroy the patriotic Bangladesh Army. Despite death wishes of Delhi to directly and militarily interfere into the internal affairs of Bangladesh, I am sure, the patriotic army and people would teach the aggressor in the Great Game a good lesson, despite Hasina’s working as a fifth columnist and lackey from within.
BY : Dr. M.T. Hussain.
