The Jamaat-e-Islami views the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan’s threat to attack Bangladesh High Commission an “independent” reaction similar to those that came from a number of world leaders like US Secretary of State John Kerry against acceptance of the war crimes trial and execution of war criminal Abdul Quader Molla.
Some Islamist politicians consider the TTP threat a potential expansion of an international conspiracy to incite sectarian violence – which is plaguing many Islamic countries, particularly in the Middle East – in Bangladesh.
Brushing aside the chances of any such conspiracy being of any use, the country’s eminent citizens warn the government against its failure to rally international public opinion in support of the cause of bringing war criminals to justice.
A day after the TTP threat was reported in a Pakistan’s English daily, The Nation, the Dhaka Tribune talked to a number of Islamist leaders and eminent citizens to get a perspective of the situation.
Shishir Manir, an executive member of Islami Lawyers’ Council, Jamaat’s lawyer wing, said: “Kerry and Erdogan (Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan) had called the prime minister for not executing Abdul Quader Molla as they could not accept the trial. The same was the case for Talibans.”
The Nation news item, quoting a security agency report submitted to Pakistan’s interior ministry, reported that the Taliban were annoyed by the Bangladesh government’s decision to “kill” Molla and could attack the Bangladesh High Commission in Pakistan.
Manir denied that his party had any ties with the Taliban.
“It (TTP threat) brings a bad news for the nation. It can be assumed from this that Bangladesh is likely to face an international conspiracy setting off sectarian violence mainly in the Middle Eastern countries,” said Islami Shashontontro Andolon’s Secretary General Yunus Ahmed.
“What could be the other reason for such a threat coming from a banned organisation reigning in Pakistan and Afghanistan?” said Yunus.
Islami Oikya Jote’s Abdul Latif Nejami called the situation “a matter of concern” and is of the opinion that the threat could potentially give birth to “hatred of crime”. Eminent personality Prof Anisuzzaman was hardly surprised by the TTP threat.
“Taliban’s philosophy is completely contrary to the ideology of Bangladesh. They will try to take advantage of any opportunity and it is not unexpected.”
Prof Zafar Iqbal finds no reason to spend sleepless night on all these speculations.
“Sectarian violence can be incited only if a society carries the seed of it. Our people have always proved to be secular. There may be some separate incidents, and that’s all about it.”
“Extremism becomes a threat only when male rules the society.”
Prof Imtiaz Ahmed drew attention to many rights bodies and general Pakistani citizens who rebuffed their politicians for siding with war criminal Abdul Quader Molla.
“We [the government] have clearly failed to rally international public opinion in support of our cause (war criminals’ trial). I believe our activities clearly manifested how inexperienced we had been in dealing with the matter.”
He suggested that the government move ahead with the issue as an agenda in official meetings with Pakistan.
