Several videos of retired Bangladeshi army personnel making incendiary anti-India statements have surfaced on social media, raising concerns amidst the recently strained relations between India and Bangladesh.
In the widely circulated clips, former Bangladeshi military officers are seen issuing provocative rhetoric, with one claiming that a core group of 5,100 soldiers, supported by three million civilians, could capture Kolkata and Assam “within four days.”
A former Bangladeshi serviceman issued a strong statement targeting Indian leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, claiming that the current Bangladesh Army does not reflect the strength and character of its 1972 counterpart.
"Do not try to intimidate us with your Eastern Command; we are capable of stopping you at the border at any moment," he declared, further asserting that the Bangladeshi army is “better trained” and “battle-ready” to defend the nation and “teach India a lesson” if necessary.
The remarks, though reportedly made in a personal capacity and not reflective of the official stance of the Bangladeshi government or armed forces, have drawn attention to the rising hostility in bilateral ties.
The statements emerge against a backdrop of strained relations following the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government and the installation of an interim administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.
The political shift has coincided with increasing communal violence against minorities, particularly Hindus, in Bangladesh.
New Delhi has expressed dissatisfaction with Dhaka’s handling of the situation, accusing the interim government of failing to address the atrocities committed by radical Islamist groups against the Hindu minority.
These developments have added fuel to an already tense relationship between the two neighbours.
The inflammatory comments by the retired servicemen have amplified concerns about the shifting perception of India within Bangladeshi society.
While not representative of an official stance, the remarks suggest a troubling undercurrent of hostility that warrants diplomatic attention.
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