Islamists demand security doctrine to help Bangladesh army counter Indian military

The Islamists backing the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government in Bangladesh have called for the adoption of a national security doctrine which would empower the army to take on the Indian military, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Islamists have called for creating an army leadership which would be independent minded and not “guided” by India, the people said, referring to the comments of Mahmudur Rahman, editor of Amar Desh, a Bangladesh daily, at a recent public forum, which they said echoed the views of the Islamists.Rahman blamed the ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League for weakening the army leadership. He has been vocal against the Awami League since Hasina’s ouster and has also demanded a ban on the student wing of the party.

His other demands include taking steps to cancel the nomination of Saima Wazed to the post of regional director for World Health Organization South-East Asia Region, naming the Jamuna Bridge after Shaheed Abu Sayeed, making public the agreements signed with India since 2009 and renaming Bangabandhu Avenue in Dhaka after Shaheed Abrar.