Published at : 06 April 2025, 03:49 pm
Militancy is frequently seen to flourish in nations where Islamic fundamentalist militant groups are granted patriotic status. Various countries of the world, especially the Western world, including the United States, then consider those countries as countries of militancy and terrorism. That is why the United States, many countries in the Western world, and some other countries are currently assuming that Bangladesh is on the path to becoming an Islamic militant state. This is reflected in the comments of Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard and a report published in The New York Times. …
Bangladesh is a Muslim-dominated country. More than 90 percent of the total population is Muslim. However, historically, Bengali Muslims have been very tolerant towards people of other religions. Here, you can find a mosque, a place of worship for Muslims, on one side, and a temple, a place of worship for Hindus, on the other side on the same premises.
People of different religions have been practicing their respective religions there for ages. The Muslims here are very religious. They observe prayers and fast. They listen to religious discussions all night long in the waz mahfil and shed tears during the munajat.
The same people who enjoy music, drama, and movies are still present. They spend the night watching Jatra. They dance with music there. Boys and girls can mix freely. Girls work in the fields, study, and play sports alongside boys.
The rise of Islamic religious fundamentalism in that country is not supposed to happen normally. But for some time now, the presence of Islamic fundamentalism and even militancy has been observed in various forms. Such issues were dealt with very strictly during the previous government.
After the July-August revolution, there has been a renewed rise in militancy. Newly elected US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard recently expressed concern about the rise of militancy in Bangladesh. Then suddenly, a popular and globally accepted newspaper like ‘The New York Times’ published a report on April 1 (As Bangladesh reinvents itself, Islamist hard-liners see an opening) about the rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh. The interim government has denied the matter every time and claimed it as mere propaganda. The current government has also firmly stated that all attempts to raise Islamic fundamentalism and militancy are being and will continue to be suppressed with a strong hand. Some factual analysis on these issues is necessary.
The various activities and statements of the young leaders who are said to be the interim heads of government and their declared appointees and guardians show that those who are persecuted and oppressed by the fascist Hasina government in Bangladesh, or those who have opposed the Hasina government in any way, are the only patriots.
The Islamic militant organizations are the biggest victims of the Hasina government’s oppression, torture, and killings. When the current US intelligence chief mentioned the rise of militants in Bangladesh, the interim government strongly protested. It was said then that the Bangladesh government has been taking strict measures to suppress militancy for a long time. This has eliminated militancy from Bangladesh. Currently, militancy does not exist in Bangladesh. Thus, the current interim government has supported strict measures to suppress militancy in the past few days. Describing the previous government’s role in suppressing militancy as effective, the interim government has indirectly justified the actions of Sheikh Hasina’s fascist government. Naturally, the militant organization and its members have always been extremely opposed to the Sheikh Hasina government. It is now known that they played a major role in the movement to overthrow Hasina. They themselves have admitted that they committed violence and sabotage. They claim that these are the reasons for the fall of the Hasina government. They also believe that Islamic militant organizations played a major role in the fall of the Hasina government. Many of their members have been heard making such comments in the media or in many places. After the fall, some of them even demanded the establishment of an Islamic state. During and immediately after the movement, special types of paintings were seen being painted on walls by protesters in many cities of the country, including the capital Dhaka. It is known that the images depict various slogans demanding an Islamic state, words in Arabic, and images resembling the flags of Hizb ut-Tahrir and the Islamic State.
Can it be denied that the head of the interim government and his close young leadership have long identified the Islamic militant organization and its members as ‘patriotic’ and anti-fascist and have gained special importance and prominence? Taking advantage of that opportunity, with the support of those close to the government, they have been carrying out continuous programs in various places, destroying important structures, and committing violent acts. In these places, the flag of the Islamic State and banners of various Islamic fundamentalist organizations are displayed. The government has not stopped these programs but has allegedly provided indirect support.
In a country where Islamic fundamentalist militant groups are given patriotic status, there are many signs of the rise of militancy.
Various countries in the past, especially the United States and the Western world, considered those countries to be countries of militancy and terrorism. As such, perhaps the United States, many countries in the Western world, and many others believe that Bangladesh is currently on the path to becoming an Islamic militant state. This is reflected in the comments of Intelligence Chief Tulsi Gabbard and the report of The New York Times.
Another noteworthy point is that the head of government and his aforementioned close associates gradually divided a united nation created during the movement in the post-movement period. There is reason to believe that the division is based on political ideology. Broadly speaking, on one side are parties with significant popular support for liberal or liberal views; on the other side are parties with popular support for conservative and radical fundamentalists. Liberal ideological parties are being deprived of all political and even basic human rights by labeling them as fascists or allies of fascism. This is unreasonable and harmful to the overall situation in the country. This will create long-term political instability. The current law and order situation will continue to deteriorate. The country’s fragile economic situation may become even more fragile and collapse. In addition, the risk of a general disaster in Bangladesh will continue to increase due to the looming major changes in global geopolitics. This is almost certain. Yet the current government seems determined to continue its activities while excluding more than half of the country’s population.
For the above reasons, there is a chance that this issue could be considered as an initiative that supports the rise of radical fundamentalism and militancy at any cost. In the described situation, the interim government has tried in many ways to say and show that they will suppress emerging militancy with a strong hand, if any. It seems unlikely that the world will believe this so easily.
Many believe that the venomous reptile of militancy will just hide its head in a hole, waiting for the right time. When the time comes, it will raise its hood again; the possibility of stinging cannot be ruled out. It cannot be said for sure that the countries and powers that oppose militancy will not see the matter this way. Such a view of the world could be a serious disaster for the future of Bangladesh.
Author: Chairman, Jatiya Party