Bangladesh’s militantism and anti-Hindu pogrom: A grim echo of Jinnah’s religious intolerance скачать в хорошем качестве

Bangladesh’s militantism and anti-Hindu pogrom: A grim echo of Jinnah’s religious intolerance

The recent spate of attacks on religious minorities, their temples including ISKCON and other Sufi Shrines in Bangladesh has unveiled a growing crisis that threatens the country’s religious harmony and the broader stability of South Asia. The systematic targeting of Hindu & Buddhist temples along with Sufis by radical Islamist groups reveals a coordinated effort to dismantle Bangladesh’s pluralistic foundations. More than 50 shrines, including the revered Murshidpur Pir’s shrine in Sherpur, have been desecrated, looted, or destroyed, with the brutality of these attacks escalating alarmingly. The Murshidpur incident, where valuables were stolen, the shrine was set ablaze, and an innocent individual was killed, exemplifies this violent extremism. The silence of the Bangladeshi interim government, under the Yunus Khan administration, amplifies the severity of the situation. The international community’s selective activism further complicates the situation. Western human rights organizations and governments have demonstrated a glaring double standard in their responses to human rights abuses. While atrocities in politically convenient regions like China and Russia garner widespread condemnation and mobilization, the plight of minorities in South Asia often goes unnoticed. For example, global campaigns for Uyghur Muslims in China stand in stark contrast to the near silence surrounding the abduction of Baloch women in Pakistan or the harassment of Hindu girls in Sindh. The parallels are striking. The rise of groups like Hefazat-e-Islam in Bangladesh mirrors the ascendancy of Islamist movements in Pakistan. These groups have gained significant influence over the years, pressuring the government to adopt policies that cater to their radical agendas. The recent murder of Saiful Islam Alif, a lawyer in Chattogram, during violent clashes related to the prosecution of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former ISKCON priest, exemplifies the growing climate of impunity for extremists. The violent demonstrations, property damage, and injuries to lawyers during this incident signal a worrying trend of mob justice, where radical groups dictate the terms of public discourse through violence. The implications of Bangladesh’s crisis extend beyond its borders. A destabilized Bangladesh could become a fertile ground for transnational extremist networks, further complicating South Asia’s already fragile security landscape. The Rohingya refugee crisis, which has placed immense strain on Bangladesh’s resources, could exacerbate tensions as extremist groups exploit vulnerable populations for recruitment. Additionally, the spillover effects of radicalization could embolden similar factions in neighboring countries, undermining efforts to promote pluralism and tolerance across the region. The failure of Bangladesh’s interim government to address this crisis reflects a broader pattern of state complicity or indifference in South Asia. Pakistan’s trajectory offers a stark warning. The state’s early accommodation of Islamist factions eventually spiraled into a full-blown crisis, where these groups not only dictated domestic policies but also influenced foreign relations. Bangladesh risks following this path, where short-term political gains outweigh the long-term costs of religious radicalization. The international community must recognize the urgency of this crisis. While it is easy to dismiss these developments as internal matters, their implications are far-reaching. A radicalized Bangladesh threatens not only its minorities but also the stability of South Asia as a whole. The selective activism of Western human rights organizations must give way to a more consistent and principled approach that addresses all forms of religious persecution, regardless of geographic or political considerations. Bangladesh’s journey toward secularism is at a critical juncture. The country’s leadership must take decisive action to prevent further violence and restore public confidence in the state’s commitment to justice and equality. This requires more than mere rhetoric; it demands structural reforms, robust law enforcement, and a zero-tolerance policy toward extremism. Civil society, too, has a crucial role to play in resisting the encroachment of radical ideologies and promoting the values of pluralism and coexistence. The Shillong Times, a leading news organisation in Meghalaya, brings to you news and information from across the state, the Northeast region and the country. Like, Share and Subscribe to TST channel for latest news and updates. You can also read the news on www.theshillongtimes.com We are also on: Facebook:   / theshillongtimes   Twitter:   / shillongtimesin   Instagram:   / theshillongtimes   Pinterest: https://pin.it/2UNYcYV