Abu Jakir :
Myanmar’s military regime has categorically rejected a proposal by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami to establish an independent Rohingya state within Rakhine, denouncing the idea as a breach of sovereignty and a politically motivated interference in the country’s internal affairs.
The proposal surfaced during a meeting in Dhaka last Sunday between Jamaat leaders and a visiting delegation from the Communist Party of China (CPC). While China has not issued any public response, Myanmar’s military authorities reacted sharply, branding the suggestion as “unrealistic” and “interventionist.”
In a statement disseminated through state-affiliated media, the Myanmar junta declared: “This proposal is a clear attempt to interfere in Myanmar’s internal affairs under the guise of humanitarian concern. Such statements are not only unwelcome but threaten to further destabilise an already fragile regional situation.”
The strong response reflects the military government’s heightened sensitivity to any discussion of autonomy or statehood for the Rohingya, whom it officially classifies as “Bengalis” and continues to deny citizenship.
According to party sources, the proposal was made by Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, who led the delegation in discussions with the CPC.
Taher later told the media that the plight of over 1.2 million Rohingyas living in refugee camps in Bangladesh requires a political-not merely humanitarian-solution.
“These people have endured inhumane conditions for years. It is time for the international community to consider a sustainable political resolution that ensures their dignity, safety, and permanent settlement,” Taher said.
Myanmar’s response accused Jamaat of exploiting the Rohingya crisis for political gain and warned that such proposals undermine ongoing diplomatic efforts for repatriation.
“We have developed facilities for verified returnees. However, each must be screened, registered, and cleared in accordance with our national protocols. Politically charged proposals that compromise our territorial integrity will not be entertained,” the junta stated.
The controversy has emerged amid escalating regional tensions stemming from Myanmar’s internal conflict. Earlier this year, an Argentine federal court issued arrest warrants for Myanmar military chief Min Aung Hlaing and 23 others in connection with the 2017 genocide against the Rohingya. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has also sought a warrant for Min Aung Hlaing on similar charges.
Simultaneously, some Indian politicians have reignited territorial claims. In March, a Mizoram MP met with representatives from the anti-junta Chinland Council, advocating for Chin communities to consider integration with India. A parliamentarian from Manipur also raised a proposal in the Indian Lok Sabha for reclaiming Myanmar’s Kabaw Valley and seeking reparations.
In response, Myanmar military spokesperson Major General Zaw Min Tun urged restraint, stating, “Respect for Myanmar’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. We caution foreign politicians against making provocative remarks that may strain bilateral relations.”
Meanwhile, in Dhaka, Jamaat’s proposal was largely overshadowed by a high-level seminar on the Rohingya crisis, where Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain offered a candid assessment of the faltering repatriation process.
Speaking at the conference titled “Repatriation of Rohingyas Sheltered in Bangladesh: Strategic Implications on Regional Security and the Way Forward”, jointly organised by the Armed Forces Division and the Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Touhid warned that the prolonged displacement threatens regional peace.
“We have hosted over 1.3 million Rohingyas for several years. Not a single one has returned. Bilateral diplomacy has failed to deliver, and we must now reconsider its viability,” he stated.
Touhid emphasised that Myanmar’s internal fragmentation, the growing role of the Arakan Army, and the military’s genocidal conduct must be addressed.
“Any effective negotiation must involve all relevant actors, including those currently in control of Rakhine. Otherwise, this process remains a diplomatic illusion,” he added.
He also warned of the rising risk of radicalisation within the camps. “It is unrealistic to expect more than a million displaced people-many of them youths-to remain peaceful under such dire circumstances.
The longer this persists, the more unstable the situation becomes,” he cautioned.
National Security Adviser Dr Khairul Rahman, also present at the seminar, rejected reports claiming that Bangladesh had agreed to establish a humanitarian corridor into Rakhine.
“The term ‘humanitarian corridor’ is misleading. It was neither used by the UN Secretary-General nor endorsed in any formal discussion,” he said.
He reiterated that Bangladesh remains committed to voluntary, safe, and dignified repatriation and warned against misreporting that could jeopardise diplomatic efforts.
Principal Staff Officer of the Armed Forces Division Lt Gen SM Kamrul Hassan further noted the growing influence of the Arakan Army and the lack of government control in Rakhine, highlighting the urgency of broader international coordination.
Since the mass exodus in August 2017 following a brutal military crackdown, not a single Rohingya has been repatriated despite numerous bilateral agreements and global appeals. Bangladesh continues to host over 1.3 million Rohingyas in overcrowded camps in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char.
Observers warn that without concrete international action, the crisis risks becoming a protracted and destabilising feature of regional geopolitics.
