BNP's dilemma
It seems August is the cruellest month for Bangladesh. First, 15 August 1975,then 21 August 2004 and now 17 August 2005. Despite the overwhelming evidence indicating the active involvement of the Jamatul Mujaheedin Bangladesh in the country-wide bomb blasts, the ruling party leaders are steadfastly stating that "a certain quarter" being jealous of its achievements have indulged in such heinous and dangerous activities. They are not blaming JMB directly for these blasts because they are afraid if they do so, it would amount to admitting the presence of Muslim militants in Bangladesh which they want to avoid at any cost as it might bring Bangladesh under closer international scrutiny. This is not the only instance when the BNP has blamed "this quarter " (obviously meaning Awami League) for violent activities in the country. They had done it when Ahsanullah Master, MP, was gunned down and again when ASMS Kibria was killed in a similar manner. Even after the grenade attack in the Awami League rally on 21 August last year similar statements were made. As a result, the investigations, which were started at that time, got nowhere. In this way the militants felt they were immune under this government. Moreover, the presence of Jamaat ministers in the cabinet strengthened their hands further. But this attitude of the BNP has to change; otherwise, the country will face a grave danger in the future, even our democracy and independence may be at stake. As yet we do not know who are the masterminds behind JMB and other like-minded organisations who reportedly want to establish an Islamic state in Bangladesh. Unless the government remains very alert and refrains from focusing its attention only on the activities of the AL, one day it may find itself attacked by completely unexpected quarters. It may be too late then.
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