War crimes execution: India may back B’desh if issue raised at global forum

India is likely to back Bangladesh if the issue of the execution of two influential Opposition leaders for war crimes during the country’s 1971 independence struggle against Pakistan was taken to any multilateral or international forum.

As per the government’s assessment, fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami has been trying to whip up tension in Bangladesh after hanging of the two leaders and there was no basis to conclude that terror outfit Islamic State was present in that country though it is witnessing rising violent acts.

India was supportive of the Bangladesh government’s decision to bring to justice to those allegedly involved in war crimes and will throw its weight behind Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina if any country takes the matter to an international forum, sources said.

On November 22, Bangladesh had executed Jamaat-e-Islami Secretary General Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid and BNP leader Salahuddin Quader Chowdhury for war crimes during the 1971 war of independence, which had triggered sporadic violence.

Pakistan was severely critical of Bangladesh for executing the two leaders. Hasina had dismissed Pakistan’s criticism as “unacceptable”.

The view here is that Hasina has shown courage in pursuing the cases of war crimes and she is being supported by people in that country. An International Crimes Tribunal, set up by the Bangladesh government, had convicted Mujahid and Chowdhury and the Supreme Court had upheld their sentences.