Look East for terror: Will India blame Bangladesh?

UNDER THE SHADOW OF GUN: Bangladesh-based HuJI is suspected to have masterminded the Jaipur blasts.

          

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Keywords: Bangladesh, Jaipur Blasts

Bangladeshi journalist Kabir admitted that his country is facing the problem of “Islamic extremism” but said it was because of national, regional and international reasons.

The Bangladesh government has tried to contain extremism by arresting Islamic radicals and by taking political action. The world must note that Bangladesh comprises its people, culture government, political parties and not terrorists, said Kabir.

Proof against Bangladesh

Yes, Bangladesh has taken action against extremist groups but all that has been cosmetic, alleged Saikia. “Cosmetic action has been taken against JMB (Jamaatul Mujahideen Bangladesh) and JMJB (Jagrata Muslim Janata Bangladesh) but little has been done against HUJI or Jamaat-e-Islami, which are the real perpetrators of extremism.”

Yes and no, said Kabir when asked if Saikia’s allegations were correct. The Bangladesh government has acted against JMB and JMJB but it hasn’t gone after other such groups satisfactorily. “The Jamaat-e-Islami remains a legal political party and though there are allegations against it nothing has been proved legally,” he said.

Kabir said extremism in Bangladesh is a human problem and South Asian countries must solve it “politically, economically and philosophically”.

Bangladesh is a greater source of terror because the US attention is now on Pakistan, said Saikia. “With the closure of the Afghan bureau of Pakistan’s Inter-services Itelligence, its desk in Decca has been reactivated and it’s launching attacks on India,” he said.

Kabir admitted his country has extremists but reminded that South Asian nations can fight terrorism better if they have good ties. “In that case if any administration-India, Pakistan or Bangladesh-points fingers at a particular country before proper investigation then it will harm relations and it won’t solve problems.”

India cannot choose its neighbours but the blame lies with us too, said Parthasarathy. “Criminalisation of politics and corruption has made it more difficult to deal with terrorism,” Parthasarathy said.

He accepted India, currently, has nothing to show which justifies making accusations against Bangladesh. “We shouldn’t do it but if I were to make a choice between Pakistan and Bangladesh it would be like choosing between Tweedledum and Tweedledee,” he said.

SMS question on Is Bangladesh now India’s new source of terror?

Yes: 82 per cent

No: 18 per cent