Dhaka Takes A Turn

Return of extremists will undermine the protest and prove apprehensions about Hasina’s ouster

The political transition in Bangladesh has taken a worrisome extremist turn in recent days. First, there were reports of attacks on minorities and their properties. This led to head of interim govt Muhammad Yunus visiting the iconic Dhakeshwari temple and assuring that Hindus would be given equal protection. But some actions of the interim govt since have again raised questions over the safety of minorities, secular individuals and journalists.

Revenge attacks on Press?: There have been growing concerns that Dhaka’s new dispensation and its supporters are targeting journalists seen to be close to the erstwhile Hasina govt. A journalist with a pro-Hasina media organisation was found dead under mysterious circumstances. Two others were arrested while trying to leave the country. These actions mirror the policies of the Hasina govt towards so-called unfriendly Press. In fact, Reporters Without Borders has raised concerns over 25 journalists being recently charged with crimes against humanity, hinting at a witch hunt.

Release of Islamist radicals: Plus, the interim govt has released extremists with links to terror groups. This includes Jashimuddin Rahmani, chief of Ansarullah Bangla Team, an organisation that has links with Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent. In fact, the ban on Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh too has been reversed. These are all elements that were against Bangladesh’s liberation struggle and subsequently eroded away Bangladesh’s secular moorings. Their release now raises fears for Bangladeshi minorities and intellectuals.

Security dilemma: The last thing one needs is for Bangladesh to emerge as a hub of Islamist extremism. This is not only a problem for that country but also a serious concern for India. Hasina had indeed become an autocrat. But she kept extremism under check and did not allow anti-India forces free rein. A reversal now also undermines the fight for rights and justice that the new Dhaka dispensation is supposedly championing. Yunus failing to halt the radicals will only prove him a puppet.

END OF ARTICLE