A lesson and a clear message
The government and the media merit appreciation as the captures were more than required to demonstrate to the world the true nature and spirit of people of Bangladesh. Thanks to them for projecting to the world that there is no room for fanaticism and militancy in Bangladesh and that the people of Bangladesh have no fascination for such a curious brand of Islam that puts innocent people to death. Rather, they are always ready jettisoning such rubbish ideas and the insane plotters that are harbouring the unrealistic schemes of turning the country into a land of mindless zombies so that they can capitalize and have a whale of a time at the cost of the faithfully liberal and appreciably tolerant masses.
Such people, perhaps, forgot the fact that people of Bangladesh had not bowed down to any uncivilized force in the past. People's understanding of Islam is very much on a right footing. It is next to impossible to coax them into believing distorted meanings of the holy book of Islam. Knowledge of Islam of the common people is also so mature that they hardly need to consult such foolish religious clerics who are more interested in misguiding, or rather, seducing them, rather than showing the sane and peaceful path of Islam.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Though many countries, including our powerful neighbours have long been strife-torn, often for religious reasons, it has hardly ever been a problem for us. Bangladesh has always been an example of religious harmony and coexistence. Even in many Muslim countries, Muslims are on a war footing against Muslims. To set fire to another sect's mosques is a common phenomenon there along with routine murder of clerics and people of other sects. Attacking mosques of other sects was unthinkable in Bangladesh even a few years a back, but now the Ahmadiyya mosques in Bangladesh have come under attack. Nevertheless, the scale is very negligible compared to such incidents in other Muslim countries, and the common people of Bangladesh have little nexus with the ones that mastermind such attacks.
Bangladesh has also experienced some very painful incidents of bomb attacks on innocent people in various shrines of holy saints which are also a very novel and unwelcome event in our history. Such incidents shocked and outraged the people in no small measure. The people watched with shock and dismay how the shrines of the great saints who had been instrumental in bringing Islam to this subcontinent were being bombed.
Many blame the present government for the abrupt rise of the Islamic militants, though their heinous activities got started in the period of the previous regime who failed to pin them down. The present government, too, initially took it rather lightly and foolishly put the blame on the media. A section of the government was also alleged to have a soft corner for the militants. They perhaps wanted to experiment the impact of terrorizing people. Now, however, they must be kicking themselves and telling to themselves that it was too risky an endeavour which would have devoured even their existence had it been successful. They should not have forgotten the simple formula that Frankenstein is not to be reared up.
There is also serious allegation against the allies of BNP for nurturing the militants. I think they also have a lot to learn from the people's rejection of extremism, and the sooner they learn the better it will serve them. Those who are the masterminds behind the JMB should know that they have tried to adopt an approach that is too dangerous and the people of Bangladesh are capable enough to mow it down.
Militancy has almost disappeared. Many militants are behind bars. The rest are about to be hunted down. Many are being tried and justice is being meted out. Both the major kingpins are now being grilled and waiting to meet what they deserve. They might even be charged with treason, and rightly so.
The government is singing success. The opposition is sensing drama. They can do whatever they wish, but the people of Bangladesh have every reason to rejoice. Neither the government nor the opposition is the ultimate winner. It is the people of Bangladesh who have triumphed. They had a point to prove and they have again proved to the world that they won't allow anybody to play with their distinct culture, religious liberalism, and rational as well as progressive attitude.