Just society key to fighting militancy

The government would have to ensure good governance and just society to prevent the rise of militancy and fundamentalist forces, eminent personalities said at a programme yesterday.

They also said the progressive forces would get no benefit from compromising with fundamentalist forces.

Bangladesh Economic Society organised the programme to launch the book of Prof Abul Barkat titled Bangladesh-e Moulobad [Fundamentalism in Bangladesh].  

Speaking as chief guest, language movement veteran Ahmad Rafique in his speech said imperialist forces were the main patronisers of fundamentalist forces.

He said to combat fundamentalist forces “we will have to give proper education to our children from family level so that they can grow up as real human beings”.

Noted jurist M Ameer-Ul Islam in his speech said a knowledge-based society has to be built to get rid of the curse of fundamentalism as the current politicians have failed to tackle the problem.

Former chairman Mizanur Rahman of National Human Rights Commission said, “We want to know from the state what actions it has taken against the militants.”

He claimed that different law enforcement agencies were being used for tackling political opponents of the government rather than dealing with militancy.

Professor Kamrul Hasan Khan, vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, said there would be no results if the country's progressive forces compromised with fundamentalist forces.

He said there was “no unity among the progressive forces”. Professionals and civil society members come forward when political leaders fail to work as per the people's expectations.

Noted cultural personality Mamunur Rashid, Chairman of Dhaka University Economics Department Shafiq Uz Zaman, Director General of Islamic Foundation Shamim Mohammad Afzal, former president of Bangladesh Economic Association Prof Moinul Islam also spoke at the programme.