Bangladesh is being Pakistanised: Shahriar Kabir

The Hindustan Times, September 24, 2003


Amitabh Shukla
September 23

Journalist, film-maker, writer and human rights activist Shahriar Kabir was in India recently to

mobilise support for the South Asian Coalition Against Communalism and Fundamentalism. In and out of jail, Kabir spoke to Amitabh Shukla on the conditions prevailing in his country and need for a platform to fight fundamentalism. Excerpts from the interview:

How strong is fundamentalism in Bangladesh?

Under the present regime, fundamentalists of all hues have become quite strong. Global Islamic

terrorist groups have also spread their tentacles in the country and this is disturbing for the civil society in South Asia. Around 15 such groups operate from Bangladesh, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad of Maulana Azhar Masood. They have the tacit support of the government and are

spreading the message of intolerance and violence.

What kind of support do you see for South Asian

Coalition Against Communalism and Fundamentalism?

We held the first conference of the group in Dhaka in 2001 and the next conference will be in Delhi in end-2003-early 2004. The support has been from all sections, including several politicians, journalists, activists and intellectuals from India and neighbouring countries. It was formed because the people who are fighting fundamentalism do not have a platform of their own while fundamentalist groups are organised.

What is the condition of the Hindu minority in Bangladesh?

Their condition is deteriorating by the day. The percentage of Hindus in Bangladesh is decreasing due to migration. Secularism has been wiped out from the Constitution and the extremist groups are having a sway. The Hindus are increasingly finding it difficult to live in the country as the government is looking the other way and political parties are shy of supporting their cause.

How could this trend be reversed?

We are creating awareness in the country and countering the propaganda of the fundamentalists.

We are getting support from various quarters. If secularism becomes the mainstay of Bangla-deshi polity, things would turn for the better. The government is to blame for the growth of the

undemocratic forces.

How do the people of Bangladesh see India?

In general, the image of India is quite good. They see it as a friend who helped the country in the struggle for independence. However, over the years, some flawed policy on the part of India has distanced the two countries. Ironically, Pakistan is now becoming closer to the ruling groups. This happened because Bangladesh was ruled by the military rulers for a long time and the fundamentalists gained control. Bangladesh is undergoing an Islamisation and Pakistanisation at present. This is violating human rights and the spirit of secularism.