The Bangladesh Army has established a new unit called the Second Bangladesh Battalion, comprising four companies named after the first four caliphs of Islam: Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, and Ali. Two additional companies have been proposed, to be named after Fatima and Ayesha, but these have not yet been approved. The decision has drawn attention from Indian media outlets, which have described the naming as highly sensitive and ideologically significant.

Indian news platforms such as Aajtak Bangla and Navbharat Times have framed the move as a shift from Bangladesh’s earlier practice of naming army units after war heroes of the 1971 Liberation War. Reports suggested that the change could indicate a move away from the country’s secular foundations. Some Indian outlets, including Northeast News, interpreted the naming as a sign of growing Islamisation within the Bangladesh Army.

The reports also noted that several Indian Army units carry names linked to Hindu deities and symbols, such as Bhairav Battalion, Brahmastra Corps, Sudarshan Chakra Corps, and Vajra Corps, reflecting religious and mythological associations within India’s own military structure.