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The pain of rejection is a heavy burden to carry, especially when that rejection causes 1.4 billion people to collectively wallow. The recent outpouring of both love letters, anger and hatred towards Prime Minister Tarique Rahman offers us a glimpse into the different stages of grief and sorrow.
All jokes aside, the overflow of hatred directed at the Prime Minister, combined with the terrorist threats received by both the Chinese and Japanese embassies in Bangladesh, are major reasons for the nation to remain vigilant. Twelve months ago, additional security was deployed at the US Embassy due to the possibility of a terrorist attack on the mission and its staff. It is clear that certain quarters are fanning the flames of hatred and have declared a proxy war on Bangladeshi soil — against Bangladesh, against our development partners, and with the Prime Minister at the centre of their crosshairs.
The continued hate speech on social media by their citizens, their “media”, and the volume of venom their retired diplomats and government officials are spitting at the Prime Minister of Bangladesh are clear indications of their intent: “He will come to regret his decision!” “We have been too soft!” “Bent over backwards for him!” “Must take a carrot-and-stick approach!” “If he fails to comply, we will teach him a lesson!” “Playing silly games!” These are war cries. They are out for blood, and nothing less will suffice.
A scenario mirroring the Holey Artisan Bakery tragedy, involving either a Bangla Bhai- or Bangla Sena-type splinter cell, is an outcome that cannot be ruled out. To avoid a repeat of such an unfortunate situation, fortunately, Bangladesh, China, Japan and the USA are, for once, on common ground. We must cooperate to keep our assets, interests and citizens safe.
There is a thread that connects Bangladesh, China and the USA: certain elements view all three as enemies. Every day, their “media”, “journalists”, “intellectuals”, retired government officials and their proxies appear on television and social media, spreading hatred against all of us. Unfortunately for Japan, being one of America’s closest security partners, it is not being spared either. Their intellectuals and proxies are often heard bringing up the US opposition to the creation of Bangladesh, the deployment of its Seventh Fleet, China’s delayed recognition of Bangladesh, their support for the BNP, Ladakh, etc.
The recent mention in the Indian media of a new cell they call “Neo JMB” is all we need to know of their master plan. Notably, there has been no indication of any such threat in Bangladesh from any of the foreign intelligence agencies with which Bangladesh intelligence agencies collaborate, including those of the USA, UK, EU, Canada or other Western nations. While they and their media claim that terrorists are growing like weeds in Bangladesh, the USA has downgraded the threat level. This comes at a time when the American Ambassador and his wife are on a nationwide road trip.
As they cry “terror in Bangladesh”, they are harboring the suspected killers of Osman Hadi; they have refused consular access to the killers, refused permission for our intelligence agencies and investigators to question them, and have not responded to repeated calls from the Bangladesh government to hand the killers over to Bangladesh. They then go ahead and stage a drama like the one at the FCC, where, according to social media, they deployed the police an hour before the event was to begin. These are pathetic attempts at grabbing headlines to misdirect the Bangladesh government and us, the citizens, into believing that they mean well. These games they play will not work. If actions mean more than words, let’s start with the extradition of the killers of Osman Hadi.
They claim to know everything that is happening in Bangladesh, yet they have repeatedly failed to stop terrorist attacks from taking place on their own soil. That clearly demonstrates there is a disconnection between what their intelligence agencies are capable of and what their media claims.
They will fan the flames of hatred on all fronts until they bait a simple, weak-minded soul into breaking and doing something regrettable against one of their targets: the US Embassy and/or its citizens, the Chinese Embassy and/or its citizens, the Japanese Embassy and/or its citizens, the Prime Minister of Bangladesh and his citizens. Any and all casualties make headlines, and that is the objective. That is how radicalisation is achieved through the media and social media. If I know that, they know that, and that is precisely what they are aiming for.
Such a situation plays directly into their hands and fits their narrative: “Bangladesh under Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has become a hotbed for radical Islam,” while officially they have no direct connection to the incident. This allows them to “distance” themselves from the facts and “deny” any responsibility.
Given the heightened state of concern, not only for Bangladesh but also for our diplomatic guests, Bangladesh must engage on multiple tiers and should be part of multiple security and defence agreements. Therefore, it has become imperative for Bangladesh to consider joining what is being called the Mecca Pact, a security, defence and economic alliance that has the blessings of President Donald Trump.
Intelligence is no longer gathered on the ground alone. Intelligence is now collected, compiled, and gathered through signal interception and satellite surveillance. And this is where the hostile forces are at the mercy of both Western and Chinese telecommunication and networking systems. Without going much into details: a WhatsApp conversation between a Bangladesh national who was in the UK on medical leave and an individual in a neighbouring country was intercepted and the Government of Bangladesh was duly informed, not to mention leaked private conversations between individuals in foreign countries is all everyone needs to know.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has historically been another time-tested ally of both the BNP and the USA. Whenever Begum Khaleda Zia, as Prime Minister or leader of the opposition, had travelled to Mecca to perform Umrah or Hajj, she received the highest-level protocol from the Kingdom, including state dinners and receptions.
On the other hand, the USA and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have been allies in the region for decades, long before Bangladesh came into existence. For Bangladesh to be a part of the Mecca Pact is an opportunity for us to gain an advantage over regional adversarial forces and strengthen our defence and intelligence capabilities. Not to mention, we could gain greater market access to the Kingdom for our halal food products, as well as to the markets of other parties involved.
The Mecca Pact could also create significant economic opportunities for Bangladesh. This cooperation could open doors to greater trade in textiles, pharmaceuticals, agricultural products and halal food. In a moment of uncertainty and threat for Bangladesh and our development partners, broader strategic cooperation would not only strengthen Bangladesh’s security but also provide access to technology, investment and knowledge essential for the country’s continued development and preparation for graduation from the UN’s least developed country category.
The hatred being spewed, the threats being made and the narratives being created are all desperate acts of those who know the ground is shifting under their feet. They know the old games of divide and conquer no longer work in a world where satellites see everything and signal interception can counter their fairytales.
Bangladesh under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is no longer a pawn to be pushed around, but a rising power that commands respect and demands equal status.
Their threats are very real, our enemies remain determined, and the memory of Holey Artisan serves as a haunting reminder of what happens when warnings go unheeded and intelligence gathers dust. We cannot afford to be reactive after the fact; we must be proactive before the fact.
We cannot afford to be divided. They use Pakistan to keep their own fragile nation united, and they use Pakistan to keep Bangladesh divided. We cannot allow their poison to seep into our society.
The Mecca Pact gives us all a shield and a sword, allowing us a firm handshake with a loaded gun in the other. It is a chance to stand shoulder to shoulder with our allies, to secure our borders, to grow our economy and to fulfil the promise of a brighter future for every Bangladeshi. It is a chance to tell adversarial forces that we will not sit quietly when we are being insulted. We will not be intimidated; we will not be bullied and we will not be pushed around.
The year is 2026, and we must act like it! We should join the Mecca Pact. We must strengthen our intelligence and defence capabilities in partnership with our time-tested friends, including China, the USA, other development partners and well-wishers. We must protect our people, our partners, our diplomatic guests and our nation. Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will build alliances that are designed to give the citizens and the Bangladesh military the courage and confidence to stand tall.
We must be patient. The BNP, Jamaat and the NCP must work together. Our best days are ahead of us, whilst theirs never really came. They know that, and that is why they want to see us fail. Let them hate. Let them scheme. Let them spread their lies. Let them whisper in the dark corners and let them watch as we rise with our friends and our allies.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Sarabangla English Edition’s editorial stance.