From left, Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman, KM Shafiullah, AK Khandker, CR Dutta and Abu Osman Chowdhury at a conference against communalism and terrorism titled “Samprodayikota o Jongibad Birodhi Jatiya Shommelon 2014” organised by Sector Commanders Forum, Liberation War 71 at Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre yesterday. Photo: Star

To fight communalism and militancy, the government must ban Jamaat-e-Islami and its publications, stop its funding and increase vigilance on its associated business organisations, stated Sector Commanders Forum (SCF), Liberation War 71 yesterday.
SCF placed seven other recommendations at “Samprodayikota o Jongibad Birodhi Jatiya Shommelon 2014”, a conference against communalism and terrorism it organised at Dhaka University's Teacher-Student Centre.
Reading out a paper, freedom fighter, journalist and SCF acting secretary general Haroon Habib said, “Both local and foreign research show that this party has direct or indirect links to all militant groups irrespective of the name they (the latter) taken on.”
Shahriar Kabir, acting president of Ekatturer Ghatak Dalal Nirmul Committee, questioned why the ban was not imposed under the terrorist act even though Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina termed it a terrorist organisation last year.
“Is there anyone more powerful in government impeding Jamaat's ban than the prime minister?” said the journalist and researcher.
He called on the premier to be courageous like her father, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who enacted the 1972 constitution based on four principles -- secularism, democracy, nationalism and socialism.
The demand to reinstate the 1972 constitution to build a peaceful, harmonious nation for people of all beliefs, ethnicity, language and social class was also placed by National Human Rights Commission Chairman Mizanur Rahman, Gonojagoron Mancha spokesperson Imran H Sarker and Bangladesh Mahila Parishad acting secretary general Rakhidas Purakayastha.
However, noted Islamist thinker Maulana Fariduddin Masud said, “Sitting here in an air-conditioned room and reading papers would not bring any results.”
He urged everyone to reach out to the grassroots people in villages and spread the message of non-communalism and the Liberation War's spirit through waaz mahfils (congregations on religious sermons) which are conducted by religious leaders.
“At least 40,000 waaz mahfils are being held as we speak. Do we know who is conducting these mahfils and what is being said?” he said.
Speakers also called for reforming the education system and increasing control over Qawmi madrasas and other educational institutions which work as a breeding ground for communalism and militancy.
In his paper, Habib noted that children of the poverty-stricken rural populace who go to madrasas and English medium students of the high-income class remain disconnected from the mainstream and are easily lured towards militant ideologies.
Chairing the programme, SCF Chairman Air Vice Marshal (retd) AK Khandker said the conference aimed to make people aware and conscious against communalism and militancy.
Other SCF recommendations were on forming a global taskforce to curb terrorism since it has a strong and expanding network worldwide.
They also urged all political parties to unite in the decisive fight against militancy and stop political parties' direct and secret patronisation of extremist and militant forces, making grassroots people aware about these ill-forces and putting an end to the “two-faced policy” of the West on the issue.
Members of SCF from different districts and eminent personalities, including Prof Anisuzzaman, were present.