DNA Edit: Sheikh Hasina’s failure — Bangladesh is in the grip of Islamic fundamentalism

The murder of a renowned writer and publisher, Shahzahan Bachchu, in Bangladesh is the latest in the series of fatal assaults by radical Islamic forces who purport to silence voices advocating a secular ideology. The rise of extremism in India’s neighbourhood, especially in Bangladesh, has been a source of anxiety for New Delhi as well as the international community. PM Sheikh Hasina’s inability to stop such killings is much talked about when questions are raised about the endangered existence of religious minorities in her country. Instead of taking tough measures, she has repeatedly capitulated to Islamic fundamentalism that threatens to destroy Bangladesh’s social fabric.

Extremist groups such as Jama’atul Mujahideen Bangladesh, Ansar al-Islam, and the Islamic State have had a free run as they targeted Hindus and foreigners, caring little about the consequences of their actions. In its 2017 annual report, the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom made several recommendations to the US, including providing technical assistance to Bangladesh and encouraging the country to further develop its national counter-terrorism strategy. It also suggested urging PM Hasina and government officials to “frequently and publicly denounce religiously divisive language and acts of religiously motivated violence and harassment”. All these recommendations had fallen on deaf ears.

Freedom of expression in Bangladesh has been drastically curtailed. Civil society groups faced pressure from both state and non-state actors, including death threats and attacks from extremist groups, and escalating harassment and surveillance by security forces. In 2017, there were at least 30 assaults on journalists. These are indeed dark days for Bangladeshis who are trying to resist their country’s descent into the Middle Ages.