Published on 12:00 AM, July 16, 2016

Causes of extremism in Bangladesh

I read the article 'When kids become monsters' with interest published in TDS on July 5, 2016. The narration was correct and interesting. Thanks to Syed Mansur Hashim for penning an excellent piece. We would like to add the followings as to the causes of rise of terrorism in Bangladesh.

We witnessed the rise of religion based terrorism under BNP-Jamaat patronisation in 2001-06. Jamaat was calling the shots in that period. Bangla Bhai, Mufti Hannan, JMB, more than 600 simultaneous IED blast in the country, 21st August grenade attack etc. were taking place at that time.

Wahabi influence as opposed to moderate Sufism, huge population burden specially youth, disproportionate percentage of young population with mouths and stomachs, severe level of corruption, social injustice, huge rich-poor divide, identity crisis, alienation of the young due to family, social problems, dysfunctional families, absence of role models for the young, frustration among youths, unemployment, improper education or ill-education, intolerance, etc. have also played important roles in rising extremism in Bangladesh. 

The government needs to plan and execute the solutions of this mega problem of extremism in Bangladesh ASAP.

Dr. SN Mamoon

Dhaka