On Bangladesh Impasse !

By Animesh Roul

I have published one in depth analysis on Bangladesh situation (with Senior writer Anes Alic), at ISN Security Watch, Zurich today: Bangladesh calms political crisis. We probed deep and tried to find out the actual situation on the ground, seeking some experts’ view on the latest crisis.

"After weeks of violent protests that claimed dozens of lives, Bangladesh authorities gave in to local and international pressure and postponed general elections originally set for 22 January. However, tensions remain high as a new election date hinges as key reform that would pave the way for a free and fair poll.

Bangladesh, a nation of 144 million people who are no strangers to coups and military rule, has been in political turmoil since the Bangladesh National Party's (BNP) five-year mandate expired in October.

At least 40 people have been killed and more than 2,500 arrested in the violent protests that began in late October, when BNP Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's term ended. Zia then handed over power to an interim government led by President Iajuddin Ahmed, who was charged with overseeing elections.

The president assumed the position of chief adviser of the caretaker government after the major political alliances failed to reach a consensus on the appointment for the next prime minister."

[Click Here For Complete Article]

In my quest to get some first hand information on Bangladesh situation, I contacted many experts from country’s Universities, Think Tanks, Media houses and NGOs. I would like to mention some of their opinions regarding Islamic fundamentalism and related political and security concerns at this hour of political crisis, here.

DR. IMTIAZ AHMED, Professor of International Relations, University of Dhaka reiterated his views on the query ‘what if the deadlock continues?’ [Prof Ahmed has written a timely piece in The Daily Star, titled the “Act of God': A curse or a boon?” on 13 Jan, 2007.]

The past couple of months experience has been bitter. If this happens again and the turmoil lingers, the people at large would suffer maximum. Another major casualty would be the economy. Of course, key institutions would be paralyzed and criminal elements would take peace and progress to hostage. Then, 3Ms (muscles, machetes, and mortars) will rule Bangladesh

HAROON HABIB, senior journalist and former chief editor of the country's premier news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sanstha (BSS) on the fundamentalist Elements in politics and especially those with Wahabbi influence:

The former ruling BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami alliance is a mixture of soft and hardliner Islamists. The Wahabi doctrine dominates their policies. But their influences are gradually diminishing with the emergence of the grand alliance led by Sheikh Hasina. Also among the common Muslims the influences of the fundamentalists are very little.

AHMED SWAPAN MAHMUD, executive director of VOICE, a Dhaka based research and advocacy organization on the anti social and Islamic fundamentalists:

Many miscreants including some political leaders and godfathers went out of scene getting fear of arrest, as already some of them have bee arrested. Fundamentalism got the way under the shadow of the political parties as believed and hardly the political parties go against those Islamist elements thinking of their vote for power. However, there are sections even among the parties who are against of fundamentalism and for greater election campaign to be in power, this force will not come as a group that can resist.

For many, the ordeal still continues…

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