Extremism, militancy and terrorism are against democracy, development and human rights. These forces are working based on religious, color, race etc. and active across the world. In democratic countries institutions have been developed to face there forces and ensure the rights of the people.
But in other countries where institutions have not been developed or in fragile conditions there, they are hindering the development and progress. In Bangladesh present Government has taken actions against these forces but still main force Jamaat-e- Islam (Jel) based on religious extremism is trying to reorganize themselves.
Democracy has been functioning across the world for the last 250 years. In all the democratic countries political system is secular. Here either religion is separated from the state or religions are getting equal status in the state system.
Anglican Church is recognized in UK but because political system is democratic and secular so different sections of the society including immigrants are getting important positions in parliament and other bodies. It may be remembered that Anglican Church also got importance to cut down the influence of Vatican from nationalist point of view. Religion is separated from Republic of France state system.
American President takes oath by keeping hands on Bible. Congress persons belonging to other communities can take oath by keeping hands on their holy books due to Court verdict. People irrespective of color, religion and race have the equal rights and scopes. It is mentionable that African American Barack Obama became president of U.S.A.
India has been practicing democracy for more than 7 decades, every citizen irrespective of religion, caste and reason is enjoying equal rights, status and opportunities. It is reflective in the state system, even president and prime minister of India belong to different religions and castes. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and Dr Monmohon Singh where the president and prime minister at a time belong to Muslim and Sikh community in Hindu majority India.
Now Ram Nath Covind president of India has come from Dalit Community and Prime Minister Narandra Modi in his boyhood worked in a tea stall. RSS is associated with BJP and the overall view of RSS is in favor of secular spirit of the constitution and history. Indian Democracy is now the role model especially for developing country in the world. In Japan and Germany democracy have been functioning after second world war.
Emperor of Japan belongs to Santo religion, but political and social system is secular. Christian Democratic Party is directly associated with the political system of Germany, they are upholding the democratic values. People's Republic of Bangladesh was established under the leadership of Bangabandhu based on four principle to establish democracy and exploitation free society.
But after the killing of Bangabandhu in 1975 secularism was abolished from the constitution and later on state religion Islam was introduced to encourage and patronize extremist and communal forces. Now Bangabandhu's daughter Sheikh Hasina is running the administration and the actions have been taken against extremism and terrorism. Four principle of the 72 constitution have been introduced in the constitution by 15th amendment and court verdict.
US Congressman Jim Banks introduced a resolution in the Committee of Foreign Affairs of the US House of Representatives on 28 February expressing worries about the threat posed to democracy and human rights by religious extremist groups in South Asia including Bangladesh.
The resolution names Jamaat-E-Islam Bangladesh and its affiliated organizations and accuses them of repeated attacks on religious minorities and spreading theological radicalism.
The resolution blames Jamaat-E-Islam for committing war crimes in Bangladesh including rapes, murders and other atrocities during the Liberation War of 1971. The resolution regards Jamaat-E-Islam and similar parties as a threat to peace, stability and secular democracy in Bangladesh and other parts of South Asia.
The resolution holds the Jel responsible for most of the 3000000 deaths, 10000000 displacements and 200000 rapes ahead of the victory of Bangladesh in 1971. It also highlights the fact that the Jel in Pakistan held funeral prayers for the terrorists who assassinated Salman Taseer, the Governor of Punjab, for speaking in support of Asia Bibi, a Christian women charged of blasphemy under Pakistani laws.
The resolution held groups like the Jel as a threat to the stability and secular democracy in South Asia and makes specific reference to the fact that the European Parliament had also adopted a resolution urging the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party to 'unequivocally distance' itself from the Jamaat.
Finally, the resolution called on the governments of both Bangladesh and Pakistan to deny, disrupt and dismantle the ability of the Jel and its affiliates to continue posting an immediate and ongoing threat to religious freedom and stability. In the meantime, it has been reported by different media sources that Jamaat-E-Islam is planning to reemerge on Bangladesh's political turf with a new name.
Jamaat-E-Islam is most likely to rename itself Bangladesh Justice Party, Bangladesh Development Party or some other names that do not include the word "Islam." US Congress suggests that while the developed countries become aware of the threats posed by radical groups like Jamaat-E-Islam, it is equally important that the civil society of Bangladesh plays their part to stop the extremist ideology being propagated by these political parties.
Islami Chhatra Shibir, the student front of Jamaat-E-Islam in Bangladesh, is viewed by geopolitical analysts as one of the top-ranking armed radical groups in the world for its direct involvement with terrorist activities. Islami Chhatra Shibir believes in fanatical Islamic ideology and upholds an acute fundamentalist religious point of view which is communal and risky for the peace-loving people of Bangladesh.
Islami Chhatra Shibir is active all over Bangladesh, particularly in madrassas, colleges, and universities. It was known as Islami Chhatra Sangha before the independence of Bangladesh.
Islami Chhatra Sangha launched the infamous auxiliary force Al Badr, Al-Shams Bahini during the Liberation War of 1971 and killed Bangladeshi civilians including intellectuals in collaboration with Pakistan army at that time. Islami Chhatra Sangha reappeared in Bangladesh in February 1977 with the name of Islami Chhatra Shibir.
Besides Jamaat-E-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir, some more extremist political parties are posing threat to peace and harmony in Bangladesh. There are promoters of JMB, Harkatul Jehad and other extremist's forces. BNP- Jamaat had done destructive activities a killing few hundred people and tried to obstruct trial of war criminals as well as constitutional process.
Hefazat-E-Islam has in recent times emerged as a powerful political front with explicitly fundamentalist concepts. Hefazat-E-Islam's activists had a severe clash with the law and order forces in May 2013 in Dhaka city. Hefazat-E-Islam directly opposes women rights, women emancipation and secular spirit of liberation war. Hefazat chief Allama Ahmad Shafi faced much criticism a few years ago comparing women to tamarind. It exposes Hefazat leaders' vicious approach to women.
Hefazat leaders denounced the celebrations of Pahela Baishakh in highly discourteous terms. Hefazat activists smeared up paintings and murals in several parts of the country. In this way, it has become vivid that Hefazat-E-Islam is totally against the cultural heritage of Bangladesh. Hefazat leaders condemned the festivities of Durga Puja too. By doing so Hefazat leaders have proven that their party is a communal organization.
The religious minorities in Bangladesh came under violent attacks on different occasions by communal groups. Politicians and civil society members have commented that parties like Hefazat-E-Islam and Islami Chhatra Shibir are against the secular spirit and spirit of liberation war of the nation.
The radical Islamic parties run a number of online portals through social networks. Political analysts have said that it is essential to resist extremist Islamic parties to prevent a radical upheaval in Bangladesh. We know Hefazat-E-Islam and Qawmi education do not show respect to the national anthem and national flag of Bangladesh.
It may be recalled that a gang of armed militants conducted an attack on Holey Artisan Café in Dhaka on 1st July 2016 for which Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility. Later on terrorists attacked on Eid congregation at Solakia moydan. Since then police force and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) have raided the hideouts of militants in different parts of Bangladesh including capital Dhaka city.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that in view of the growing international condemnation of the Jel, its leadership is considering giving the group a makeover of an Islamist progressive party, thereby re-naming is as the Bangladesh Justice Party, Jel's Secretary general Shafiqur Rahman, along with a committee of 4-5 members, will be spearheading this discussion and take a call on changing the name of the party. However, Bangladeshi citizens should not be fooled by this attempt by the Jel to white wash itself as a progressive party.
We hope that the civil society of Bangladesh do their bit to stop the radical ideology being propagated by these groups. It is likely that they will very soon pose the same threats to security as one sees in Pakistan, where Islamic extremist groups, with active support of the military and the government has changed the social fabric in Pakistan.
Muslim Brotherhood was established in Egypt to propagate and establish fundamentalism in the name of Islam in 1928. President Hosni Moberak was ousted in Arab spring in 2011. Muslim Brotherhood formed freedom and Justice Party and their candidate Mohammad Mursi won the election and continued for one year as president. They propagated fundamentalism and extremism and had organized terrorists to create division in the society.
It may be mentioned that in Egypt nearly ten percent people belong to Christianity and other community. Civilizational values and fabrics of society were being destroyed. People of different sections specially human rights organizations and minorities arranged rallies and meetings against these forces. Later on President Mohammad Mursi was ousted and General Abdul Fattah came to power.
These forces have obstructed the democratic process after Arab Spring. After killing of Bangabandhu in 1975, spirit of liberation war was being destroyed by antidemocratic, extremist and fundamentalist forces. Constitution based on values of liberation war was changed, secularism was abolished by 5th amendment and by 8th amendment Islam was introduced as state religion.
Now PM Sheikh Hasina has been running the administration, secular democratic values have been introduced in the constitution due to Court verdict and by 15th amendment. Actions are being taken against militancy, extremism and terrorism. But still these forces are active in different forms. Government, political parties, civil society, social forces should work together against these forces to enhance democratic process for upholding the spirit of liberation war.
The writer is an academic, former ambassador and freedom fighter
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