Bangladesh at risk as interim regime targets secular forces, favours extremists

A series of alarming incidents have been unfolding in Bangladesh in the aftermath of the fall of the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina regime. Media reports are failing to capture and expose the full scope of these events. What’s particularly concerning is that the 'unconstitutional' interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, backed by the military and Islamist factions, is targeting secular progressive groups, branding them as 'criminals,' while treating known terrorists as 'innocent.'

This situation has not yet sparked the critical debate it deserves among Bangladesh's leaders, media, or law enforcement. The terrain is tricky, shaped by both domestic and external power brokers. Let me outline the concerning developments, including the release of convicted Islamist terrorists aligned with groups like ISIS or Al-Qaeda, as well as some of the country's most notorious criminals listed on Interpol’s notice.

On August 26, 2024, the Yunus administration released Mufti Muhammad Jasimuddin Rahmani, the leader of the banned Islamist terror organization Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), who had been imprisoned for his role in the murder of blogger Ahmed Rajib Haider, according to an English langugae daily the business standard published from Dhaka. This terror group, founded in 2013, aimed to propagate Al-Qaeda's radical ideologies within Bangladesh and was responsible for the murder of five bloggers within two years of its inception.

At least six top terrorists have been released since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government following a mass student uprising on August 5. Most of these terrorists had been incarcerated for a decade or more, with several others now attempting to secure their release.

Some of the most notorious terrorists recently freed include Abbas Ali, alias ‘Killer Abbas’ from Mirpur, Sheikh Mohammad Aslam, alias 'Sweden Aslam' from Tejgaon, Imamul Hasan Helal, alias 'Picchi Helal' from Mohammadpur, Sanjidul Islam, alias 'Emon,' Naim Ahmed, alias 'Titon,' and Khorshed Alam Rasu, alias 'Freedom Rasu.' Another top Islamist terrorist, Shibir Nasir, based in the country's second-largest city, was also released in August.

Meanwhile, a segment of Bangladesh’s society that supports the secular spirit of the 1971 War of Liberation and the 1952 Language Movement have quickly been branded as 'criminals.' A glaring example of this trend is the arrest of writer Shahriar Kabir, one of hundreds facing persecution under the current administration – his detainment covered by a Dhaka based news agency BDnews24.com. On the other hand, those responsible for attacks on teachers, women, and religious institutions such as churches, temples, and pagodas are being sheltered by the Yunus administration.

The government and law enforcement agencies now draw a clear line between two polarized groups: one side stands for the pro-1971 secular progressive values, while the other supports Islamist and military ideals. The Yunus administration appears to be treading a dangerous path by showing clear bias in favor of Islamist extremists and the criminal underworld.

These concerns are amplified by reports that weapons and ammunition have been stolen from police stations and prisons, with detectives suspecting that these are now in the hands of escaped militants. This alarming situation has heightened fears among both the public and law enforcement agencies about the growing threat posed by these armed extremists.

Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina administration, several hundreds of terrorist attacks against minorities have been reported in just two weeks, with numerous deaths and instances of rape targeting minority women. Mob-lynching, often under the guise of vigilante justice, has become increasingly common. Despite this, the administration appears either dysfunctional or unwilling to stop these acts of barbarism.

In two separate incidents, men were beaten to death at Dhaka University and Jahangirnagar University, according to a leading English language daily The Daily Star and a leading Bangla language daily the Prothomalo reports.

Meanwhile, over 100 homes and shops belonging to the indigenous Chakma people were burned down on September 19, 2024 in Khagrachari district of the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Following the end of Sheikh Hasina’s rule, the country experienced widespread destruction of over 1400 sculptures, academies, museums, and libraries. The devastation included statues of the country's founding president, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Nobel laureate Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, pioneer modern Bengali artist Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin, pioneering feminist writer Begum Rokeya, and the country's 1971 liberation war heroes.

These incidents are occurring across the country, yet the media has largely failed to expose the full scale of the violence. The Yunus administration appears to be tacitly supporting the elements behind these ongoing killings, arson, and looting, while focusing its efforts on arresting pro-1971 War of Liberation intellectuals, cultural figures, and political leaders.

Notable individuals targeted include writer Shahriar Kabir, actor Asaduzzaman Nur, Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury, former ministers Matia Chowdhury, Abdul Mannan and Tipu Munshi, and former Narayanganj City Mayor Selina Hayat Ivy. The targeting of these prominent figures raises concerns about the motives of this administration, which seems more interested in creating political and social chaos by freeing terrorists and criminals while arresting those who hold opposing views.

Following a recent visit by a U.S. delegation, the Yunus administration appears to have intensified its efforts to crack down on pro-1971 ideologies.

To restore democratic governance and ensure free and fair elections, this administration must prioritize two key objectives. First, it must normalize the country’s economy, politics, education, and law and order. Second, it must facilitate political dialogue and consensus among the major political alliances, such as the BNP-led coalition and the AL-led 14-party coalition. Without these steps, the future of Bangladesh’s democracy is at risk, and the non-democratic alliance between the military and Islamist factions could remain entrenched for years to come.

Note: The writer is a poet and playwright and Editor-in-Chief, upplittmagasin.se

References:

https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/6b75eb11f091

https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/hoyonpp3g8

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/savagery-du-they-beat-him-fed-him-then-killed-him-3707351

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/ansarullah-bangla-team-chief-mufti-jasim-uddin-freed-bail-926241