Lt Gen RP Kalita Highlights Impact of Bangladesh’s Developments on Northeast India

At the Society to Harmonise Aspirations for Responsible Engagement (SHARE) meeting, former Chief of Eastern Command Lt General RP Kalita (Retd) emphasized India’s deep historical and cultural ties with Bangladesh. He noted that developments in Bangladesh will inevitably impact northeastern India.

“Our primary focus is the development of the Northeastern states and the region’s significance in Southeast and South Asia. We aim to ensure that the aspirations of the people from the Northeast are communicated to policymakers. We have also presented a paper discussing how the situation in Bangladesh affects India. Our historical and cultural connections with Bangladesh are significant and cannot be overlooked. Any changes in Bangladesh will have repercussions for northeastern India,” Lt General Kalita said.

In related news, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure the safety of West Bengal’s migrant workers across the country, citing instances of social discrimination and violence against them. Chowdhury highlighted the plight of poor and vulnerable migrant workers, particularly in Odisha, who have faced physical violence and discrimination.

Amit Shah, in response, criticized the INDI Alliance for failing to address the needs of Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, and Jain refugees seeking Indian citizenship. Shah distributed Citizenship certificates under the CAA to refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan in Ahmedabad.

Recently, Bangladesh has experienced significant unrest, including violence against minorities such as Hindus, following political turmoil. Sheikh Hasina was forced to resign and flee Bangladesh after student protests escalated into a major anti-government movement. She arrived in India on August 5, and an interim government led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, 84, was inaugurated on August 8.