In a stark warning about Bangladesh’s political trajectory, veteran journalist and counterterrorism expert Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury has alleged that the country is being systematically transformed into a theocratic state under Muhammad Yunus’s interim government. The award-winning Editor of Blitz newspaper, who specialises in South Asian geopolitics, painted a dire picture of democratic backsliding and extremist infiltration in an exclusive interview with India Today Global.
“Blueprint for Theocracy”
Choudhury’s most explosive allegation centres on what he describes as a deliberate plan to reshape Bangladesh’s secular foundations. “Yunus is actually having the blueprint of turning Bangladesh into a theocracy,” he stated, pointing to concerning statements from key regime allies.
The journalist specifically highlighted the public statements of Mufti Syed Muhammad Faizul Karim, leader of Jamaat-Char Monai and a key Yunus ally, who according to Choudhury, “publicly told media that they are willing to turn Bangladesh into another Afghanistan.”
This transformation, Choudhury argues, is not merely ideological but involves concrete institutional changes that threaten the country’s democratic fabric.
Military Intelligence Under Siege
Perhaps the most alarming aspect of Choudhury’s account involves what he describes as a coordinated effort to dismantle Bangladesh’s counterterrorism capabilities. He revealed that “hundreds of terrorists and militants, including members of Ansar-al Islam, which is a local franchisee of Al-Qaeda, Hizb ut Tahrir, and others, they were released from the prison.”
The journalist made a particularly striking claim about foreign intelligence involvement: “Three brigadiers of Pakistani army, actually they are the covered officials of the ISI, they visited Bangladesh” and met with various insurgent groups. In a move that Choudhury sees as directly connected, “just in 48 hours of their departure from Bangladesh, the anti-corruption commission in Bangladesh blocked the bank account of the Directory General of Forces Intelligence [DGFI].”
A Radicalised Military?
When discussing the Bangladesh Army’s position, Choudhury expressed deep concerns about internal divisions. While noting that “General Wakar Zaman enjoys support of the majority of the army officers and soldiers,” he made a startling claim about the military’s composition: “inside the Bangladesh army, a very significant portion of the armed forces, they are radicalised, at least 30%.”
This alleged radicalisation within the military ranks, if accurate, would represent a fundamental threat to Bangladesh’s stability and secular governance.
Economic Haemorrhaging
The interim government’s tenure has coincided with severe economic disruption, according to Choudhury’s analysis. He presented alarming figures: “during the last 10.5 months, there is not a single dollar foreign investment in Bangladesh, but almost $9 billion were smuggled out of this country. 80,000 crore taka have been looted from the Bangladeshi stock market.”
These economic indicators, combined with what Choudhury describes as systematic corruption, paint a picture of a country in economic free fall.
Mob Violence and Minority Persecution
When questioned about reports of mob violence, Choudhury highlighted the regime’s concerning response. He noted that “when Yunus press secretary was asked about the mob violence, he said it’s not mob violence, it’s a pressure group. But this mob violence, they’re attacking the religious and ethnic minorities in this country.”
This reframing of violence as legitimate “pressure group” activity, according to Choudhury, demonstrates the regime’s complicity in attacks on vulnerable communities.
International Dimensions
The journalist alleges significant foreign involvement in Bangladesh’s current crisis. He claimed that “there were foreign elements, like US deep state and others including Pakistani ISI of course. And now we also can see that clearly that China was also behind the last year’s jihadi coup.”
Regarding the current US administration’s response, Choudhury expressed disappointment: “Unfortunately, that Donald Trump we knew during his first tenure term. Now during his second tenure, Donald Trump himself is a confused person. He doesn’t know what to do or what he is doing.”
Regional Security Implications
Choudhury warned of serious implications for regional security, particularly for India. “For the jihadists in Bangladesh, their common enemy is India,” he stated, adding that “until Yunus regime remains in power, India’s national security is at risk.”
He specifically mentioned the presence of terror cells: “there are many sleeper cells of Ansar al-Bangla team in particular and the Jamatul Mujahideen in Bangladesh inside some of the places in West Bengal and also in the northeastern regions.”
Democratic Processes Under Threat
The journalist painted a bleak picture of Bangladesh’s democratic future. He explained that “Yunus has banned Awami League” and that even the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has shifted its position after “on June 13th, Yunus had a secret meeting with the chief of BNP Bangladesh Nationalist Party in London.”
Regarding elections, Choudhury was pessimistic: “Jamaat-e-Islami and other Islamist parties, they are publicly saying openly saying that elections should not be held” and “Yunus has no intention of holding elections… Bangladesh is not going to have any election even in the foreseeable future.”
Military Intervention as Only Solution
In his most controversial assertion, Choudhury argued that military intervention represents the only viable path forward. “Now there is an essential need of armies military to take military initiatives, remove Yunus from power,” he stated, emphasising that “the only way out is actions by our armed forces as soon as possible.”
– Ends
