It is said – never mess with Bangalis as they resemble the Royal Bengal Tiger and Tigresses. Hopefully by now, conspirators sitting in Washington, London, Beijing and Islamabad have learned the lesson, when people of Bangladesh massively voted in favor of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) by largely rejecting Jamaat-e-Islami, an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood and a loyal lapdog of the United States, China and Pakistan.

In recent years, parts of South Asia have witnessed renewed mobilization around Islamist narratives. Bangladesh was not immune. Street radicalism, aggressive moral policing, and sporadic mob actions created unease -particularly among women, minorities, and secular youth. Social media amplified fears that the country could drift toward ideological rigidity resembling Taliban-era Afghanistan or clerical Iran. Whether exaggerated or not, perception shaped political behavior. The rejection of Jamaat-e-Islami at the ballot box reflects a broader societal resistance to theological governance models.

Following the meticulously designed regime change plot of 2024, Washington, Beijing and Islamabad succeeded in turning Bangladesh into their subservient country through their mercenaries with Muhammad Yunus as the head of the illegitimate interim regime. Since then, at the overt and covert backing of those nations, Bangladesh witnessing the terrifying rise of religious extremism, terrorism, jihadism and mob-violence, which not only resulted in destruction of country’s economy and education system – it also had turned the youths into mere zombies who got indulged into destructive acts without thinking about the consequences and even their own futures. Due to such rampant anarchy and chaos, Bangladesh’s global image was greatly tarnished where most of the nations began seeing the country with gravest suspicion. Bangladesh earned a similar bad name as Pakistan, which resulted in rejection of visas to its citizens, especially the students and younger generation. Females in the country have been facing numerous forms of intimidation and threats from the religious extremists and jihadists, and there was a growing fear in them of becoming an object of disrespect and isolation as it happens in Pakistan and other Muslim nations.

People may ask – with almost univocal support and patronization of the US and Britain as well as consistent support from China and Pakistan, why Muhammad Yunus opted for holding the election on February 12, when he had sufficient power – both through Islamist mobs and country’s military establishment and why he did not opt for remaining in power indefinitely by proclaiming himself as the Supreme Leader and turn the country into a Caliphate. The answer to this question is simple. For Muhammad Yunus, it became a “mission impossible” to remain in power when Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), which has massive size of supporters, and a solid vote bank of 35-40 percent began repeatedly pressing the Yunus regime to hold the elections. Muhammad Yunus and his Islamist-jihadist cabal clearly realized, should they delay holding of the elections for an indefinite period, BNP would go on the street with mass-movement, where it would easily get open or silent support from Awami League and other leftist-secularist forces – and of course the Hindus. And in that case, Yunus would face a pathetic fall and would potentially face trial for committing series of crimes that would result in capital punishment for him and the members of his vicious nexus.

Meanwhile, Yunus also realized – his masters in the US in particular have seriously miscalculated the power of Bangalis which reminded him – despite Washington’s vantage point, its blend of military power, economic leverage, intelligence networks, and ideological messaging has been seen as the ultimate toolkit for shaping world affairs; the history tells a less flattering story. Again and again, American doctrine has not merely failed but backfired – sometimes spectacularly – in countries as varied as Vietnam, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Venezuela, Egypt, and now, most definitely, Bangladesh.

For policymakers in the US Deep State and well as Pakistani Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) they have appeared to view Bangladesh through an ideological lens rather than geopolitical and populist one. By undermining the power of Bangalis and treating Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh (JIB) – a party with ideological roots linked to the Muslim Brotherhood – as a potential strategic partner, Washington and Islamabad committed a series of political blunders.

February 12 will be remembered as the day Bangladesh refused to be reengineered. For months, there was speculation that the country could be nudged toward a new ideological experiment – one blending technocratic internationalism with the organizational muscle of political Islam. Many feared that Jamaat-e-Islami, historically aligned with Islamist movements across the region, might emerge as a kingmaker in a fragile transitional phase. Instead, the electorate delivered a blunt message: Bangladesh will not trade its cultural identity for imported blueprints.

And finally – the disastrous Bangladesh plot of Pakistani ISI and its Western masters had to bite the dust. On February 12, Bangladesh did not merely vote – it resisted.

For months, an unsettling narrative was building inside the country. Political instability following the 2024 upheaval had created space for ideological adventurism. International actors were watching closely. Islamist organizations were reorganizing. And technocratic figures with limited grassroots legitimacy were being projected as acceptable transitional authorities.

Many in Bangladesh feared the country was being quietly steered toward an experiment: a hybrid arrangement where globalist technocracy would coexist with political Islam – with Jamaat-e-Islami positioned as a pivotal force. The electorate dismantled that experiment. The decisive rejection of Jamaat-e-Islami and the strong mandate for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) was not accidental. It was a calculated message from a population that understands its history and recognizes ideological danger when it sees it.

To understand February 12, one must understand 1971. Bangladesh was born out of resistance to Pakistan’s ideological and political domination and Rawalpindi’s repeated attempts of erasing the very Bangali values and secularism. The Liberation War was not merely a territorial struggle – it was a revolt against religious majoritarian authoritarianism imposed from West Pakistan.

Jamaat-e-Islami carries that historical baggage. Its political lineage and wartime role remain deeply controversial. For many Bangladeshis, Jamaat is not just another party; it symbolizes a worldview that once opposed the country’s very independence. This memory matters.

Bangladesh may be Muslim-majority, but its identity is linguistic, cultural, and pluralistic. Bengali Islam evolved through Sufi traditions, syncretic practices, and a strong literary heritage. It was never meant to mirror the ideological rigidity seen in Pakistan. February 12 was, in many ways, a reaffirmation of that identity.

The illusion of Islamist momentum

Over the past eighteen months, Bangladesh witnessed sporadic mob violence, aggressive street mobilizations, attacks on Hindus and growing pressure from hardline clerical networks. Social media amplified religious outrage campaigns. Women reported increased intimidation in educational institutions. Minority communities quietly expressed concern about shrinking space.

These developments created a perception – both domestically and abroad – that Islamist forces were gaining unstoppable momentum. But perception does not equal numbers. Electorally, Jamaat’s support rarely crosses single digits. It is vocal, organized, and ideologically committed – but it does not represent mainstream Bangladeshi sentiment.

The February 12 outcome exposed the gap between street noise and ballot strength.

The technocratic miscalculation

Muhammad Yunus enjoys global esteem for pioneering microfinance. His Nobel Prize recognition made him a global icon of development economics. But political legitimacy in Bangladesh cannot be outsourced from Western applause. But behind this façade, Yunus has successfully hidden his real identity of a notoriously Islamist and India-hating individual. Moreover, his notoriously cruel mind was also wrapped through well-orchestrated multi-million-dollar propaganda in the global media.  Technocratic stature does not substitute for grassroots mobilization.

Bangladesh’s electorate historically rallies behind leaders with organizational depth, patronage networks, and mass emotional connect – figures such as Sheikh Hasina or Tarique Rahman. Political success here requires structure, not symbolism. The idea that a globally admired technocrat could serve as a neutral stabilizing force while ideological actors consolidated power behind the scenes was always politically fragile.

Now in the wake of the February 12 elections, Muhammad Yunus finds himself at a precipice he can no longer ignore. His ambitions to cling to power in an increasingly hostile political landscape have mostly evaporated, leaving him vulnerable to the very tides he wanted to manipulate. The electoral resounding rejection of his regime signifies a clear mandate against his leadership, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) is likely to offer him a safe exit to avoid further instability.

It is plausible that Yunus, recognizing the dwindling support and looming consequences of his failed plans, may ultimately seek refuge in a Western country, where he hopes to escape the repercussions of his actions and preserve his legacy – if one can still be salvaged. With Yunus aging, the window for his political revival is all but closed.

Meanwhile, the Islamist forces that once rallied around him are likely to abandon their fading leader, turning their attention to grooming a more charismatic figurehead for their next notorious mission. This shift signals a potential recalibration of their strategies, as they seek to reestablish their foothold in the increasingly complex political terrain of Bangladesh. Such developments not only highlight Yunus’s diminishing relevance but also foreshadow the continuing challenges to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and identity from those who wish to impose their agendas. Regardless, the calculated retreat of Yunus would not only mark the end of his political aspirations but also serve as a stark warning to those who underestimate the resilience and agency of the Bangladeshi people. February 12 exposed that fragility.

Bangladesh is not an isolated political laboratory. It sits at the strategic crossroads of South and Southeast Asia. Almost entirely surrounded by India, with Myanmar to the east and the Bay of Bengal opening toward critical maritime routes, it occupies a pivotal location.

For India, Bangladesh is not a distant neighbor – it is an unavoidable neighbor – a frontline state. Border security, counterterrorism coordination, transit routes to the Northeast, and protection of minorities are directly linked to Dhaka’s internal stability. Any ideological radicalization in Bangladesh would immediately spill across borders.

For decades, Islamabad’s strategic doctrine has sought leverage in eastern India through instability in Bangladesh. The shadow of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence continues to loom over regional security calculations. If Islamist forces had gained decisive political power in Dhaka, it would have created fertile ground for renewed proxy dynamics in the region.

February 12 reduced that risk – at least temporarily.

Why political Islam failed to break through

The rejection of Jamaat is not simply a partisan shift. It reflects structural realities:

Cultural nationalism remains strong: Bangladesh’s identity is deeply rooted in the Bengali language and heritage. Cultural festivals, literature, and music are not peripheral – they are central to national consciousness.

Economic aspirations trump ideology: The country’s young population prioritizes employment, education, and global mobility. Hardline religious governance models threaten economic integration and foreign investment. 

Women’s participation is a social pillar: Bangladesh’s garment industry, educational expansion, and microfinance networks rely heavily on female participation. Any regression toward restrictive social codes would destabilize core economic sectors.

Historical suspicion of Pakistan-linked ideology: Political narratives that appear to echo Islamabad’s past dominance trigger instinctive resistance.

These factors collectively explain why Islamist momentum, despite vocal activism, did not translate into electoral dominance.

The risk of “Jamaatization” of BNP government

However, the story does not end with the ballot. Rumors have circulated regarding Pakistani ISI’s efforts to insert Jamaat-aligned individuals into broader governing structures through coalition bargaining. Even a limited presence in sensitive ministries could gradually normalize ideological hardline positions within state machinery. Such a development would be strategically dangerous.

A government perceived as drifting toward clerical influence would face immediate credibility challenges – domestically and internationally. Investor confidence could weaken. Minority communities would grow anxious. India’s security establishment would recalibrate risk assessments. The electorate’s message on February 12 was clear: no ideological overreach. Ignoring that message would be politically reckless.

Lessons for external power brokers

Major powers often assume they can calibrate outcomes in smaller states through diplomatic signaling, financial leverage, and institutional endorsement. Bangladesh defies that assumption. Its political culture is volatile, emotional, and fiercely nationalistic. Attempts to engineer outcomes without respecting grassroots dynamics tend to backfire.

The February 12 mandate should serve as a cautionary note: sovereignty is not negotiable currency in Dhaka.

A strategic window for stability

For India, the outcome of February 12 elections offers opportunity. A stable Bangladesh governed by a party with broad popular backing strengthens eastern regional security. Connectivity projects, counter-radicalization efforts, and economic integration can proceed with greater confidence. But vigilance remains necessary.

Pakistani ISI and Islamist networks rarely disappear; they recalibrate. Ideological infrastructure built over decades does not dissolve overnight. Civil society institutions, security agencies, and political leadership must remain alert to gradual infiltration tactics.

February 12 was not merely a routine election. It was a stress test of Bangladesh’s ideological direction. Faced with competing pulls – political Islam, technocratic internationalism, and geopolitical maneuvering – voters chose continuity over experimentation. They chose sovereignty over dependency. They chose cultural identity over imported ideological frameworks.

For those who believed Bangladesh could be quietly redirected toward a clerical future, the result was a sobering reminder. Bangladesh may be small in geography, but it is not small in political memory. The people remember 1971. They remember ideological domination. And when they sense history attempting to repeat itself – they respond. On February 12, they did. And the message traveled far beyond Dhaka.

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