New Delhi plays safe on Sheikh Hasina’s arrest

NEW DELHI: The arrest of former prime minister and Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina in Dhaka is just the first step in a clearly choreographed script by the military-backed caretaker regime in Bangladesh.

The next target will be another former prime minister and leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Begum Khaleda Zia.

Ever since getting Fakhurridin Ahmed to take over the reins of government, the military has been plotting to get rid of these two powerful political leaders.

“This is outright politics done in the name of judicial action,’’ says Professor SD Muni, political analyst. “There is no justification especially by a regime which swears by democracy,’’ Muni added.

Hasina has been a close friend and ally of India. New Delhi should have been the first to condemn her arrest. But it has made a long-winded statement.

“We are closely monitoring the internal developments in Bangladesh. It must be ensured that there is no violation of due process as established by law and that basic individual rights are fully respected,’’ Navtej Sarna told reporters.

Professor Muni says India has been short-sighted in its approach and looked at short term gains.