Limits of Dhaka's showtrial politics
The decision by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus to ban the Awami League can hardly be perceived as impartial, especially when Bangladesh appears to be on the road towards a general election, and student groups that were once aligned with Yunus are trying to strengthen their new political party. There are no valid grounds for prohibiting the activities of one particular political party even if its leader is on trial in absentia. Barring the stabilisation of the internal situation, there are few signs that Bangladesh's interim government has implemented other reforms or really begun preparing for free and fair elections. For New Delhi, hopefully, Hasina's trial will not turn into an anti-India campaign at a time when bilateral ties are at a fresh low.
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Hindustan Times
4 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Borders remained tense, both sides intensified vigil after Hasina's ouster
Along the Indo-Bangladesh border, the Border Guard Bangladesh(BGB) has intensified security on their side of the border by installing more surveillance equipment, setting up additional border out posts(BOPs), and using drones, officials on the ground said adding that in the last one year the border disputes that arose related to construction work remain unsolved even as some other new flashpoints have emerged in recent months. On Tuesday(August 5), it will be one year to the day when Bangladesh plunged into a political turmoil forcing Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to flee the country and seek asylum in India. Borders remained tense, both sides intensified vigil after Hasina's ouster BSF officials on the ground said that in the last one year, the situation along the border has been volatile with the forces locked in a standoff over different issues – the most recent is related to taking back Bangladesh citizens living illegally in India. An official aware of the matter said that despite the biannual meeting of the chiefs of BSF and BGB in February 2025, there are about a dozen sites where the two forces are yet to reach a compromise on building a fence within 150m of the border. 'There are nearly a dozen sites where BGB has raised an objection despite the two forces agreeing for the construction of the same during the previous government. The work is still stalled at the sites and despite the DG level meeting in India earlier this year, nothing has been resolved. There is no animosity but the current regime has refused to acknowledge these construction works within 150m that was approved by the previous government. The matter will again be taken up in the meeting schedule in Dhaka sometime next month.' A second official said though flag meetings are being held in the junior sector commandant level, the most recent standoff is related to Bangladesh's refusal to take their nationals back at some places. The official said that at least 1400 Bangladesh nationals have been handed to BGB personnel from the BSF frontiers of Tripura, North Bengal, Meghalaya, and South Bengal. The number for the Guwahati and Mizoram-Cachar frontier was not immediately available, but officials said the number is lesser than that in the above-mentioned four frontiers. West Bengal shares the longest border with Bangladesh at 2216.7 km, followed by Tripura (856 km), Assam (263 km), Meghalaya (443 km), and Mizoram (318 km). 'Of the 1400, around 920 illegal nationals handed back to BGB at Tripura this year include those who were deported from Gujarat, Maharashtra and other states. The others were those apprehended at the border while trying to enter India illegally. There has been no formal deportation from the West Bengal frontier of people caught in other states. Those handed back to BGB at the Bangladesh border along West Bengal, were people caught entering India illegally or were living illegally near the border area. Though BGB has been checking identity papers of their nationals and taking them back, there have been a few instances of this leading to a problem,' the official said adding that there has been at least two major cases reported in Lalmonirghat and Mankhachar where BGB refused to take the Bangladesh citizens back. A third officer said that at many places along the border, especially in the West Bengal frontier, the Bangladesh army has also started conducting patrolling in the border villages. The BGB has also constructed a floating border outpost in the Sunderban -- their third in the river. 'Our people on the ground have reported that the BGB are building outposts and bunkers. We object if the bunkers/outposts are within 150m because for that construction to happen, both forces must agree. Their army taking over some parts of the border is not a recent development but has been happening since August 5 last year because of their internal clash. Their army is controlling such tense areas. But they have placed heightened surveillance and have started installing CCTV cameras and using drones at different places. We lodge a formal protest only when their drones enter our airspace,' the officer added.
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First Post
34 minutes ago
- First Post
History Today: How India abrogated Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir
Home Minister Amit Shah announced the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in Parliament on August 5, 2019. This changed the equation of Jammu and Kashmir, which was granted special status under this law. On this day in 2024, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted from power and fled the country after violent nationwide protests broke out read more Union Home Minister Amit Shah was the one who had introduced the resolutions. File image/PTI One of the biggest decisions was taken on August 5, 2019, when the Indian government announced the abrogation of Article 370 in Parliament, effectively revoking the special status granted to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today, will be your one-stop destination to explore key events. On this day in 2024, former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country, facing violent nationwide protests and student-led opposition. Meanwhile, Hollywood actress Marilyn Monroe was found dead at her Los Angeles home on this day in 1962. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Here is all that happened on this day. Abrogation of Article 370 in Parliament The Indian government announced the abrogation of Article 370 in Parliament, effectively revoking the special status granted to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. Introduced in 1949, Article 370 allowed Jammu and Kashmir its own constitution and autonomy over internal matters, except defence, foreign affairs, and communications. Its removal marked a major constitutional and political shift. The process began with Home Minister Amit Shah introducing two resolutions in the Rajya Sabha: a resolution to recommend to the President of India that Article 370 be rendered inoperative, and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Bill, 2019. The latter proposed to bifurcate the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two new Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, which would have a legislature, and Ladakh, which would be without one. The government used Article 370(3), which allows the President to declare the article inoperative, but only with the recommendation of the constituent assembly of Jammu and Kashmir. Since that body no longer existed, the government interpreted the state's legislative powers as resting with the Parliament under President's Rule. The move was met with a mix of celebration and controversy. Supporters hailed it as a step toward greater national integration and economic development in the region. Critics, including opposition parties and civil rights groups, called it unconstitutional and undemocratic, pointing to the lack of public consultation and the abrupt communication blackout imposed in the region. Sheikh Hasina flees Bangladesh In a first since its creation, Bangladesh saw its longest-serving Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, resign and flee the country after weeks of intense and often violent anti-government protests. At approximately 2:25 pm BST, Hasina departed by helicopter with her sister, ultimately landing at the Hindon Air Force base near Delhi via Agartala. Her departure was abrupt, with security and family urging her to flee swiftly without a farewell address. As she exited, crowds celebrated defiantly, climbing statues of her father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and scattering into the streets in jubilation. Student protests broke out across Bangladesh over Hasina's autocratic rule. File image/PTI Immediately after she fled, Army Chief General Waker‑uz‑Zaman addressed the nation while confirming her resignation and stating the military would form an interim government to restore order. President Mohammed Shahabuddin swiftly dissolved the parliament and released political prisoners, including opposition leader Khaleda Zia. Student leaders and civil society nominated Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to lead the caretaker government, aiming to guide Bangladesh toward democratic governance and constitutional reform. His interim administration quickly began planning a constituent assembly to draft a new constitution. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Marilyn Monroe found dead One of the most iconic stars of Hollywood, actress Marilyn Monroe, was found dead at her home in Los Angeles on August 5, 1962. Her housekeeper, Eunice Murray, discovered Monroe's lifeless body in the early morning hours, locked inside her bedroom. Authorities were called, and shortly after 4:00 am, her death was officially confirmed. She was found lying face down, clutching a telephone, with empty pill bottles nearby. The coroner's report listed the cause of death as 'probable suicide' due to acute barbiturate poisoning. Monroe had a well-documented history of depression, insomnia, and substance abuse, and she had previously been hospitalised for overdoses. Yet, the circumstances surrounding her death immediately sparked speculation and controversy, with many questioning whether it was accidental, intentional, or even the result of foul play. At the time of her death, Monroe was one of the most famous women in the world. Her films, beauty, and complicated personal life, including high-profile relationships with baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, playwright Arthur Miller, and alleged connections to President John F. Kennedy, had made her an enduring cultural figure. She had recently been fired from the film 'Something's Got to Give', but reports suggested she was negotiating a comeback. Her untimely passing sent shockwaves across the globe, extinguishing one of Hollywood's brightest stars. This Day, That Year >> On this day in 2011, Yingluck Shinawatra became the first female prime minister of Thailand. >> US President Ronald Reagan fired more than 11,000 air traffic controllers who were on strike on this day in 1981. >> The United States, the Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom signed the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty in Moscow in 1963.
Hindustan Times
34 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Kangana Ranaut slams Rahul Gandhi's ‘anti-India mindset' after SC pulls him up for remarks on Army
Following the Supreme Court's strong remarks against Rahul Gandhi over his comments against the Indian armed forces after the India-China border clashes, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Kangana Ranaut accused the Congress MP of having an "anti-India mindset" and consistently aligning with the narratives of enemy nations. Rahul Gandhi's comments date back to December 16, 2022, during the Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'.(PTI) "Rahul Gandhi always speaks against India, whether on the economy or the defence forces. He speaks in support of enemy nations. He has an anti-India mindset," Kangana Ranaut said. "So, this is a welcome move by the Supreme Court; they pulled him up. In the future, others should be mindful that they do not hurt India's honour, integrity, and morale," Ranaut said. Ranaut added that the judiciary's firm stand should serve as a warning. "It's a welcome move that they pulled him up. In the time to come, others should be mindful that they do not hurt India's honour, integrity and morale," he added. Kangana's sharp attack came a day after the Supreme Court questioned Rahul Gandhi's controversial statements about the Indian Army and Chinese aggression made during his 2022 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. A bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih expressed concern over the credibility of his claim that China had occupied 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory, stating that such remarks were unbecoming of a "true Indian". During a hearing, the top court pulled no punches in its criticism. "How do you get to know that 2000 square kilometres of Indian territory was occupied by China? What is the credible material? If you are a true indian, you would not say this when there is a conflict across borders. Can you say all this?" Justice Dutta said. The bench further questioned the choice of platform for such statements, asking why Gandhi hadn't raised these concerns in Parliament instead of on social media. "Whatever you have to say, why don't you say it in the Parliament? Why do you have to say this in the social media posts?" asked Justice Datta. Rahul Gandhi's comments Gandhi's comments date back to December 16, 2022, during a press interaction while leading the Congress's 'Bharat Jodo Yatra'. "People will ask about Bharat Jodo Yatra, here and there, Ashok Gahlot and Sachin Pilot and whatnot. But they will not ask a single question about China capturing 2000 square kilometres of Indian territory, killing 20 Indian soldiers and thrashing our soldiers in Arunachal Pradesh," Gandhi said. "But the Indian press doesn't ask them a question about this. Isn't it true? The nation is watching all this. Don't pretend that people don't know," he added.
