Rising Tide of Islamic Fundamentalism in Bangladesh

Opinion

-Aminul Haque Palash

Rising Tide of Islamic Fundamentalism in Bangladesh Under the Interim Government Led by Dr. Muhammad Yunus.

The tenure of the interim government, under the leadership of Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has seen Bangladesh moving alarmingly closer toward becoming a hub of Islamic fundamentalism. The conciliatory stance of the current government toward Islamic factions and the appointment of individuals aligned with fundamentalist ideologies at various levels of administration have raised significant concerns among observers. This development has not only exacerbated domestic apprehensions but also poses a severe threat to regional security and stability, as the possibility of militant attacks looms large.

The rise of fundamentalist activities became particularly evident during the anti-discrimination movements of July and August 2024. On July 20, leveraging the prevailing instability, militants attacked Narsingdi District Jail, orchestrating a jailbreak that freed nine militants and facilitated the escape of 900 other inmates, along with the looting of weapons. A similar incident occurred on August 5 in Satkhira District Jail, where 588 prisoners, including militants, escaped. Subsequently, on August 7, the high-security Kashimpur Jail was attacked, freeing convicts implicated in the infamous Holey Artisan Bakery attack and enabling the escape of 199 inmates. Cumulatively, these incidents have led to over 100 militants regaining freedom, amplifying the challenges for national security forces.

According to prison department reports, at least 700 escaped inmates remain at large, including 73 high-profile militants. Furthermore, approximately 1,500 firearms and 250,000 rounds of ammunition, looted during the prison breaks, remain unaccounted for, raising fears that a significant portion has been acquired by militant organizations.

Since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, 2024, Islamic fundamentalist groups have intensified their activities, often targeting sculptures and statues symbolizing cultural and historical significance. Notable examples include the destruction of the marble Venus statue in Mymensingh’s Shoshi Lodge, the Lady Justice sculpture at the Supreme Court premises in Dhaka, and the Independence Memorial sculptures at Mujibnagar Complex. Over 1,500 similar acts of vandalism have been recorded nationwide, underscoring a systematic attack on the nation’s secular and cultural identity.

Simultaneously, public demonstrations waving the flags of international extremist groups such as ISIS have been observed across Bangladesh, with participants including students from reputed institutions like Dhaka College, Notre Dame College, and Wills Little Flower School. These developments suggest a troubling trend where fundamentalist groups exploit the chaotic political landscape to indoctrinate the youth. Prohibited organizations such as Hizb ut-Tahrir have resurfaced openly, claiming significant involvement during the July-August student protests. They now conduct organizational activities in major universities, including Dhaka University. Allegations have also surfaced implicating key figures in the interim government with connections to these extremist groups.

Adding to the alarm, on October 27, 2024, the government released Mufti Jasim Uddin Rahmani, the convicted leader of the banned Ansarullah Bangla Team, who had been imprisoned since 2013 for his involvement in the murder of secular blogger Rajib Haider. Rahmani has since held public gatherings, delivering inflammatory speeches that incite religious hatred. Furthermore, 174 detained members of banned militant organizations have reportedly been granted bail under the current administration, raising serious questions about governance and accountability. The resurgence of notorious figures such as Major Zia, a former army officer and a key convict in the murder of blogger Avijit Roy, has also drawn attention. Major Zia has sought reprieve from his legal battles and even appeared on private television channels to share his narratives, signaling the emboldening of extremist elements.

The foundation of Islamic militancy in Bangladesh can be traced back to the 2001–2006 tenure of the BNP-Jamaat coalition government, a period marked by state complicity and significant escalation in extremist activities. During this time, militant groups such as Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB), Harkat-ul-Jihad-al-Islami Bangladesh (HuJI-B), and others gained unprecedented strength. On May 21, 2004, HuJI-B carried out a deadly grenade attack at the Shah Jalal Shrine in Sylhet, targeting British High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury. The attack killed three people and injured over 70, including the High Commissioner himself. This incident underscored the growing audacity of militant groups, who did not shy away from attacking high-profile foreign dignitaries.

Another shocking event was the August 21, 2004 grenade attack on an Awami League rally in Dhaka, which was orchestrated to assassinate Sheikh Hasina, the then-leader of the opposition. The attack involved 13 grenades hurled at the rally, killing 24 people, including prominent party leader Ivy Rahman, and injuring over 300 others. Investigations later revealed that the attack had state-level complicity, with members of the BNP-Jamaat government accused of facilitating the militants.

In 2005, JMB launched a series of synchronized bomb attacks across 63 out of 64 districts in Bangladesh. On August 17, 2005, they detonated over 450 bombs within an hour, targeting government buildings, courts, and public spaces. These attacks were aimed at showcasing their organizational capacity and sending a clear message about their intent to establish Islamic rule in the country.

JMB further demonstrated its brutality by targeting the judiciary, an institution they deemed incompatible with their interpretation of Islamic law. In November 2005, two judges were killed in a bomb attack in Jhalakathi. Around the same period, court premises in Chattogram, Gazipur, and Lakshmipur were bombed, killing several judges, lawyers, and civilians. Churches, libraries, and cinemas were also targeted by militants during this period. One of the most horrifying incidents was the attack on a church in Baniarchar, Gopalganj, where ten worshippers were killed, and many others injured. These incidents not only disrupted communal harmony but also instilled fear among the minority communities.

In 2008, the Awami League-led government took resolute measures to counter the rise of militancy in Bangladesh and managed to bring the situation largely under control. Nevertheless, the growing global activities of extremist groups, including ISIS, left their mark on Bangladesh. This culminated in the horrific attack on July 1, 2016, at the Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka, where 22 individuals, including foreign nationals and members of law enforcement, tragically lost their lives.

In the aftermath of the Holey Artisan attack, Bangladesh’s law enforcement and intelligence agencies launched a nationwide crackdown to eradicate militancy. This comprehensive operation resulted in the arrest of at least 300 militants and the elimination of 80 operatives during encounters. Those apprehended were brought under the purview of justice. Additionally, the organizational networks of extremist groups such as Neo-JMB, Ansar al-Islam, and Jamaat-ul-Ansar Fil Hindal Sharqiya were dismantled, delivering a significant blow to militant operations within the country.

However, the recent political turnover has reversed much of the progress made in curbing extremist networks.The open support of the interim government for fundamentalist groups and their overt declaration of transforming Bangladesh into an Islamic state has led to widespread repression of minorities and suppression of secular ideologies. Reports of school textbooks being purged of works by non-Muslim authors and the recommendation to remove secularism from the Constitution by a government-formed reform commission indicate a clear deviation from the nation’s foundational principles.

Transparency International Bangladesh has expressed grave concern over the government’s compromises with fundamentalist forces, describing it as a perilous path that endangers both national and global stability. Immediate and decisive actions are imperative to halt the advancing tide of Islamic extremism in Bangladesh before its consequences become irreparable. Bottom of Form