BNP Slams India Over ‘Silence’ on Hindu Persecution During Hasina Era

‘Weaponised Minority Politics’: BNP Targets India-Hasina Alliance.

The political temperature between Bangladesh and India has risen sharply following the sweeping 2026 election victory of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), with senior leaders openly questioning New Delhi’s historical role during the 15-year rule of Sheikh Hasina. In a series of post-election remarks, prominent BNP figures — including newly elected Hindu MP Gayeshwar Chandra Roy — alleged that India maintained “selective silence” when opposition leaders and minority communities faced what they described as systemic repression under the Awami League government. According to BNP leaders, India’s strategic partnership with Hasina’s administration prioritized political stability and security cooperation over publicly addressing alleged human rights concerns, creating what they now call a perception gap between rhetoric and action.

The BNP’s narrative goes further, arguing that the Hindu community was politically “weaponized” during the Hasina era — portrayed internationally as vulnerable and dependent on Awami League protection, while allegedly facing routine land disputes, extortion, and localized violence at the grassroots level. Party insiders claim that India’s diplomatic backing of Hasina unintentionally reinforced that dynamic, allowing the ruling establishment to frame itself as the sole guardian of minorities. These statements have sparked intense debate in Dhaka’s political circles, particularly as the BNP attempts to shed its long-standing image in India as being less minority-friendly.

New Delhi, however, has firmly rejected suggestions that it was indifferent to the welfare of Bangladeshi Hindus. Officials in India’s Ministry of External Affairs maintain that concerns over minority safety were consistently raised through “quiet diplomacy,” arguing that public confrontation could have inflamed communal tensions. Since Hasina’s ouster in August 2024, India has taken a noticeably more vocal stance, issuing statements condemning temple vandalism and mob violence, and urging Dhaka to ensure accountability. Indian officials stress that their engagement has always been guided by regional stability and security cooperation rather than partisan loyalty.

The evolving political landscape has added new complexity to the bilateral relationship. The BNP’s landslide mandate in February 2026 has emboldened its leadership to recalibrate foreign policy messaging. Party chief Tarique Rahman has signaled a willingness to “reset” ties with India, emphasizing that future relations must be rooted in people-to-people interests, trade, and mutual respect rather than perceived alignment with a single political party. To counter accusations of communal bias, the BNP fielded and successfully elected several minority candidates, including Roy and Nitai Roy Chowdhury, presenting their victories as proof of inclusivity.

At the heart of the dispute lies a clash of narratives. The BNP argues that India overlooked abuses during a friendly regime but has become outspoken under a new administration, while India insists it has consistently prioritized stability and minority protection through diplomatic channels. As Dhaka and New Delhi navigate this sensitive transition, the coming months will test whether both sides can move beyond recriminations and build a pragmatic partnership under Bangladesh’s new political order.