BLiTZ
Bangladesh’s ex-military officer divulges secrets of weapons caches hidden within dorms in universities
On October 21, veteran journalist Atiq Rahman Purnia hosted a thought-provoking episode of his podcast Purnia View, featuring Major (Retd.) Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan – a seasoned political analyst and senior BNP politician. The discussion delved deep into one of the most sensitive issues in Bangladesh’s current political discourse: the integrity of the nation’s armed forces and the looming threats to national sovereignty.
The conversation gained immediate traction across political circles and social media, not merely for its controversial undertones, but for the sobering picture it painted of the country’s geopolitical trajectory. Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman’s comments highlighted an alarming convergence of internal disarray, political manipulation, and external interference – factors that, in his words, could soon bring Bangladesh to the brink of chaos.
“The country’s sovereignty is being threatened by the demoralization of the army,” Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman said during the podcast. His concern centered on the recent allegations directed toward sections of the Bangladesh Army by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT). These accusations – many of which are being challenged for their timing and motive – have stirred anxiety within the ranks and beyond.
Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman argued that the political weaponization of such allegations could weaken the institution that has historically stood as the ultimate guarantor of national sovereignty. “In the future, protecting the country’s territory will be compromised,” he warned, adding, “This territory will not be protected by the country’s politicians. No political party will protect the sovereignty of this country. The army will be needed to protect sovereignty.”
These statements underscore a broader unease about the perceived politicization of state institutions. For decades, the Bangladesh Army has been viewed not only as a military power but as a stabilizing pillar of the nation. Any attempt to tarnish its image or curtail its morale, Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman cautioned, risks dismantling the delicate equilibrium that keeps Bangladesh secure amid turbulent regional geopolitics.
Perhaps the most striking part of Ranjan’s remarks was his claim that efforts are underway to form a “new armed force” – a revelation that, if true, could have grave implications. “We know that efforts are being made to form a new armed force,” he said. “We know that a lot of weapons are being stored in university halls.”
The suggestion that weapons caches might be hidden within student dormitories hints at the possibility of future armed conflict disguised as political mobilization. Such assertions, though unverified, evoke memories of Bangladesh’s darker political chapters – when student organizations aligned with major parties acted as armed proxies during times of unrest.
To recover such weapons, Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman claimed, “foreign armed forces will be needed. The armed forces of Bangladesh will not be able to recover them. Then there will be a civil war.” His warning paints a grim scenario: a state so internally fragmented that it could invite foreign military involvement on its own soil.
Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman’s comments took a distinctly geopolitical turn when he invoked India’s potential role in the unfolding situation. “That means, overall, the country is being taken to such a position that the neighboring country (India) that you are always allergic to will enter as an ally,” he remarked.
This statement alludes to a deep-seated suspicion shared by many within Bangladesh’s opposition and nationalist circles – that India’s strategic ambitions often extend beyond diplomacy and trade into Bangladesh’s domestic political affairs. The Major’s reference to Chanakya’s strategy – derived from the ancient Indian philosopher’s doctrine of political manipulation – added a historical and symbolic dimension to his critique.
“Chanakya’s game will start again,” he said. “If your opponent’s house catches fire and you try to put out the fire, then after everything burns down, you can build a new house of your own – this is the principle of Chanakya. India is moving forward on this principle.”
The analogy is chillingly apt. It implies that India could be positioning itself as both observer and opportunist – waiting for Bangladesh’s internal political collapse before stepping in as a “rescuer.” This notion ties into a broader regional trend, where India’s expanding influence across South Asia – from Nepal to Sri Lanka – has been accompanied by accusations of political overreach and manipulation.
Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman’s warning must also be understood within the context of Bangladesh’s ongoing political polarization. With the ruling Awami League facing growing criticism over alleged authoritarianism, election manipulation, and suppression of dissent, the nation’s democratic space is shrinking rapidly. Meanwhile, the opposition BNP, weakened by years of arrests and political persecution, has struggled to present a united front.
The political vacuum has left room for mistrust, conspiracy, and speculation – conditions ripe for instability. If indeed there are forces seeking to arm or organize alternative militias under the guise of political activism, the consequences could be devastating.
Moreover, the mention of “foreign armed forces” entering Bangladesh – whether under humanitarian or peacekeeping pretexts – echoes fears of sovereignty erosion. It would not be the first time foreign intervention occurred in South Asia under the justification of restoring stability.
Perhaps the gravest implication of Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman’s statements is the potential erosion of trust between the civilian leadership and the military establishment. History shows that in Bangladesh, such rifts have rarely ended peacefully. The repeated invocation of “sovereignty” and “territorial protection” reflects growing anxiety among certain quarters of the armed forces and nationalist intelligentsia that the government’s political maneuvering may be endangering the very foundation of the republic.
If these tensions continue to escalate – amid allegations, external pressures, and economic uncertainty – Bangladesh could face not only political unrest but a genuine security crisis.
Major (Retd.) Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman Ranjan’s conversation with Atiq Rahman Purnia on Purnia View serves as more than a political warning – it is a stark reflection of a nation at a crossroads. Bangladesh stands in a delicate position, where internal divisions, politicized institutions, and external influences intersect.
Whether or not the alleged threats materialize, the underlying message remains clear: the demoralization of the army, the weakening of national unity, and the specter of foreign intervention together form a volatile mixture. If unchecked, this could bring Bangladesh perilously close to fulfilling the very prophecy Major (Retd.) Akhtaruzzaman warned of – a civil conflict that invites external “allies,” leaving sovereignty as the ultimate casualty.