Summary:
- Bangladesh Awami League’s US chapter organized a public demonstration welcoming Indian PM Narendra Modi during his US visit, featuring chants of “Modiji” and banners.
- A video of the event was shared by Awami Chhatra League’s official social media page, sparking debates about the party’s alignment with Modi’s BJP.
- Critics argue the overt support risks undermining Awami League’s secularist credentials and strengthens perceptions of being BJP’s ideological ally.
- Awami League Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam amplified the controversy by sharing the video, though the party has not yet issued an official response.
- Bangladesh Awami League’s US chapter organized a public demonstration welcoming Indian PM Narendra Modi during his US visit, featuring chants of “Modiji” and banners.
- A video of the event was shared by Awami Chhatra League’s official social media page, sparking debates about the party’s alignment with Modi’s BJP.
- Critics argue the overt support risks undermining Awami League’s secularist credentials and strengthens perceptions of being BJP’s ideological ally.
- Awami League Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam amplified the controversy by sharing the video, though the party has not yet issued an official response.
The US chapter of Bangladesh’s ruling Awami League has drawn criticism after organizing a public gathering to welcome Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his official visit to the United States. A video shared on the official social media page of Awami Chhatra League, the party’s student wing, showed members holding a banner reading “Welcome Narendra Modi” and chanting “Modiji, Modiji”—a term of respect often used by Modi’s supporters.
The demonstration has reignited debates about the Awami League’s political alignment with Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with analysts questioning whether Bangladesh’s ruling party risks being perceived as a “sister concern” of the Indian nationalist party. Critics argue that publicly endorsing Modi, whose government has faced international scrutiny over allegations of minority rights violations, could undermine the Awami League’s domestic credibility.
Social media platforms have amplified the backlash, with users accusing the party of prioritizing diplomatic appeasement over principled governance. The controversy deepened after Awami League Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam shared the video, which was authored by Ark Vaduri, a party-linked commentator. Political observers note that the incident highlights growing tensions within the Awami League’s overseas chapters, particularly amid India’s increasing regional influence.
While the Awami League has not issued an official statement, the episode underscores broader concerns about Bangladesh’s foreign policy balancing act. Modi’s visit to the US, aimed at strengthening Indo-American strategic ties, has polarized global opinion, making the Awami League’s overt display of support a politically sensitive gesture. Analysts suggest the incident may fuel opposition claims that the party is compromising its historical secularist stance to maintain favorable relations with India.
