Back in Oct. 2004, Winds of Change.NET discussed the rise of Islamism in Bangladesh, coupled with a creeping Arab cultural imperalism as described by a Bangladeshi living through the experience. Our regional briefings and Winds of War updates have continued to track developments there.
In India, USA and the Bangladesh Puzzle, the folks at Defence-India offer a summary of recent developments, and some thoughts. Bangladesh has been a puzzle to both the USA and India, thanks to its pattern of phony arrests, denials, and passive evasions coupled with blustery denunciations of the interfering kufr. It's all drealily familiar to any long-term observers of the Islamist playbook, and thus far, they've been able to get away with it. Look more closely, however, and you'll notice that their conduct is slowly forcing the US and India together over common strategic concerns.
As usual in this war, our saving grace continues to be our enemies.
There are other perspectives also.
Please read these articles:
ISLAMIC MILITANCY – THE LIKELY REACTION TO INDIAN DOMINATION
Media attacks, false allegations and psy war
ASSESSMENT: Exploitation in Northeastern India
"The rise of the Islami fundamentalists should be dealt with properly" there is no disagreement with the statement by a majority of Bangladeshis. But Bangladesh has become focal point of incessant negative media propaganda (specially by Indian media) which is more politically motivated and in fact shadowing the real truth sometimes.
Bangladesh is a nation of 140 million people. There are opposition parties and followers which count almost half of the population. The ruling BNP government is facing opposition and protests from these quarters because of its alliance with the Islamists and some of the activities you noted above. You will hardly find any support for the Islamists activities in the mainstream print and broadcasting medias (except from a few Islamist newspapers). I would request you to read Bangladesh online journals & newspapers to find out what they are saying about this issue.
The point is India, US or whatever nation is concerned about Bangladesh should find its enemies instead of denouncing a democracy generalizing 140 million people. The clusters of population are so diverse in culture, race, opinions and political ideology that you just cannot simply tag them all as fundamentalists for the deeds of a less significant portion of people (who were allowed to be influencial in policy making because of political strategy to remain in power).
Thanks for adding these.
Bangladesh/East Pakistan/East Bengal has had a significant Islamist faction of the population for a very long time. They have been targeting the Hindu polytheist, idol-worshipping kaffirs for a very long time. There were anti-Hindu riots during the 1905 partition, 1946 Direct Action Day, 1947 partition and of course the 1971 genocide. Punjabi racism towards the Bengalis between 1947 and 1971 somewhat obscured the jihadi sentiment that has been around for a very long time. This is not something new.
This is to put counter comment to Mr. Joe's article about Bangladesh and its growing islamic militants. I will begin with a story:
"A king was blessed with a son after long wait, who was born tannish (not even black). It became a news soon for the people. The propagation of the news went with comments about king's son like this: first said "blackish", second said "black", third said "too dark", fourth said "dark like a crow", the final and fifth could not wait to say "the king has been blessed with a crow".
So, here is a point for Mr. Joe; it is easy to hear what you know and what people tell from thousands of miles away but this is where we live and we live in harmony with whatever problems we have (is there anyone without problems?). Yes, there are some miscreants living here as in any country or any religion in the world. Had there been none, the world would have a heaven (which is not the case)! It is true that there are growing number of incidents but you should also note the growing concern, as well. Please read www.dailystar.net or anything of your choice to know what is coming up everyday for Bangladesh.
Islam does not create militants. There is no place for fright and killing in Islam. We all hate people who call themselves with the term "islamic militants" and we should do everything to stop these people, wherever they are.
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"Fool, if you think a person's perception is always wrong; because, despite whatever differences, there is wisdom."