Among all the Islamic countries, Bangladesh has been most proactive in its operations against terrorism. From the execution of Bangla Bhai or Siddique ul-Islam of the Jagrata (awakened) Muslim Janata in 2007 to the incarceration and sentencing of the fundamentalists who sided with Pakistan during the war of liberation in 1971, Bangladesh’s conduct has been the exact opposite of that of Pakistan, which has not only refrained from acting against the terror groups, but has instead fostered them to wage its proxy war against India.
If other Islamic nations like Saudi Arabia have not been all that effective in controlling or extirpating jehadi outfits, the reason is that the autocratic nature of their societies is a breeding ground for such groups, which tap into popular discontent against the repressive governments. In contrast, Bangladesh’s democracy enables it to act firmly against the bigots since it knows that it has the people’s support for the drive against extremists, who want to take the country back to the medieval ages.
Dhaka’s latest act has been to amend anti-terror laws to allow courts to receive material posted online as evidence, and empower the government to probe bank accounts used to fund terrorism. Expectedly, fundamentalist outfits like Jamaat-e-Islami and the political elements backing them have opposed the moves since they undermine their anti-Indian and anti-democratic agenda. But India must be thankful for Begum Hasina Wajed’s Awami League regime living up to the non-sectarian ideals of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to ensure Bangladesh does not become a haven of terrorism. She has also acted against ULFA militants who had taken shelter in Bangladesh. Since the tools used by the terrorists are constantly evolving, governments, too, must keep with the times to check the activities of outfits like Hizb-ut-Tahrir which are trying to radicalise gullible youth. Hence, the need to bring their online activities under the law.
