US experts stress AL-BNP dialogue

Amid rising concern of religious extremism in Bangladesh, American experts have called for encouraging genuine dialogue between Awami League and BNP to break the political deadlock and restore stability and the democratic process.

Taking part in a hearing in US Congress, noted American researchers, scholars, and foreign affairs experts said Islamic extremists have recently murdered two bloggers, raising concern that religious militants will take advantage of any prolonged political unrest.

Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific of the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee arranged the hearing, "Bangladesh's Fracture: Political and Religious Extremism”, in Washington DC on Thursday.

Two experts called on the international community as well as the US to coordinate efforts with India to use its influence with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to convince her to reach out to the opposition.

Bloggers Avijit Roy and Oyashiqur Rahman were murdered in February and March.

Jay Kansara, director of Government Relations of Hindu American Foundation, called that both Bangladesh and US governments declare Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir illegal organisations and Foreign Terrorist Organisations (FTOs) respectively.

Lisa Curtis of the Heritage Foundation said Jamaat-e-Islami's youth organisation has a reputation for militancy and provoking violent clashes with opposing groups.

She said Sheikh Hasina should provide political space to the BNP.

Noted Bangladeshi-American educationist Prof Ali Riaz said Indian policymakers need to take a long-term approach instead of being driven by a myopic view, as "an unstable Bangladesh will pose more danger to India than any other alternatives."