Bangladesh on powder keg as Islamists take centre stage

Bangladesh is on a powder keg and can keel over the edge under the interim regime with more than 300 militants released, 20,000 arms looted from police stations, open displays of ISIS flags, and extremist group Hizb-ut Tahrir holding regular events, and massive protests against Israel.

Dhaka saw large scale protests on Saturday against Israel’s military action in Gaza, with participation from the entire spectrum of Islamists. The protest march also included student leaders who brought down the erstwhile Sheikh Hasina regime.

The protestors targeted US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the Indian leadership including PM Narendra Modi. Few protestors were seen brandishing weapons on the streets of Dhaka.

Earlier this week, outlets of international brands such as Bata, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Puma, perceived by the protesters as having ties to Israel, were vandalised and plundered. The incident happened as thousands of Islamists took to the streets in Sylhet, Chattogram, Khulna, Barisal, Comilla and Dhaka in solidarity with Palestinians.

Islamists led by Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) played a major role in spearheading the protests that ousted Sheikh Hasina from power. Ever since, JeI has played a major role in the decision-making process of the interim regime.

JeI—accused of being a collaborator in the 1971 Bangladesh genocide—has garnered support of Hefazat Islam, Hizb-ut Tahrir and Ansurallah Bangla Team (all banned in the past) to change the secular character of Bangladesh since last August, alleged Bangladesh watchers. The Islamists have tacit and active support from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence or ISI, alleged one of the Bangladesh watchers.

Besides the minorities, the liberal intelligentsia in Bangladesh has borne the brunt of Islamists since last August. It may be pointed out here that Hizb-ut Tahrir has been banned in several countries including those with Muslim-majority populations.

The free run by Islamists in Dhaka is having an impact across the border in West Bengal. With Islamists on a rampage in West Bengal using Waqf as a pretext, it could be a disaster waiting to happen for India, said highly-placed sources.