When commenting on Bangladesh's minority issue, India must acknowledge its treatment of Muslims has repercussions: Debapriya

Before commenting on the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, the Indian government must acknowledge that its own treatment of minorities has repercussions, eminent economist and public policy specialist Debapriya Bhattacharya recently told India's fortnightly magazine Frontline.

Published today (1 April) on the magazine's website, the interview, taken by Nirupama Subramanian, explores various issues on the bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh focusing on the recent changes following the ouster of the Awami League-led government last year. 

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, recently informed the Indian parliament that there were 2,400 incidents of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh in 2024 and 72 incidents in 2025.

When asked by Frontline whether Debapriya thinks these figures are exaggerated, the public policy specialist replied that there are several ways to calculate such incidents. 

He pointed out that after the departure of the former prime minister, the law and order situation in Bangladesh deteriorated significantly. "The police force was in disarray. For a time, security fell to the Army and paramilitary forces, but the situation was unstable."

Additionally, he noted that "many religious minorities in Bangladesh have historically supported the ruling party"—previously the Awami League.

"So, in some cases, it's difficult to separate whether an attack was targeted at a Hindu individual for their faith or because they were a political supporter of the Awami League," said Debapriya, who also the head of the committee on White Paper on the State of the Bangladesh Economy.

He, however, notes that there is a different aspect to consider. 

"Religious minorities in Bangladesh—such as Hindus and Buddhists—are part of the majority in India. Similarly, religious minorities in India—such as Muslims—are a majority in Bangladesh. So, when India comments on the treatment of minorities in Bangladesh, it must also acknowledge that its own treatment of minorities has repercussions," he said.

When asked about how secure he feels as a minority community member in Bangladesh, Debapriya said, 'I may not be the best example. I have been a refugee in India twice—first from 1964 to 1967 after the riots in the 1960s and again in 1971 during the war. But my parents never left Bangladesh. I returned, invested in my homeland, and built my life here. I left prestigious international positions to contribute to my country."

He also noted that his family has deep ties to Bangladesh's political and judicial history.

"My mother was a Member of Parliament from Sheikh Hasina's party, and my father was a Supreme Court judge appointed by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. But these personal connections don't affect my professional and fact-based perspective," he stated.

Noting that there are risks in staying in Bangladesh where identity politics plays a role, he said, "I also believe that a significant section of Bangladesh's society remains committed to secularism, human rights, and the protection of all minority communities—Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, ethnic minorities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and indigenous groups in the plains. This commitment to inclusion is the essence of nation-building."

The interview also touched on the recent debate over a reform commission proposal for dropping the word "secular" in favour of "pluralism?" in the Constitution.

Commenting on the issue, Debapriya pointed out that it is a proposal stated in the report of the reform commission and not a final decision on the matter. "It is one of many inputs in an ongoing political process. Overreacting at this stage is premature, as it is still under review."

He also noted that in a democratic society, people hold various views, and some express extreme positions out of ignorance, ideology, or political gain.

"…some people in Bangladesh seek to rewrite history, but that doesn't mean their views will define national policy," he added.