Journalist, film-maker, writer and human rights activist Shahriar Kabir was in India recently to mobilise support for the South Asian Coalition Against Communalism and Fundamentalism. In and out of jail, Kabir spoke to Amitabh Shukla on the conditions prevailing in his country and need for a platform to fight fundamentalism. Excerpts from the interview:
Q.: How strong is fundamentalism
in Bangladesh?
A.: Under the present regime, fundamentalists
of all hues have become quite strong. Global Islamic terrorist groups have
also spread their tentacles in the country and this is disturbing for the
civil society in South Asia. Around 15 such groups operate from Bangladesh,
including the Jaish-e-Mohammad of Maulana Azhar Masood. They have the tacit
support of the government and are spreading the message of intolerance
and violence.
Q.: What kind of support do you
see for South Asian Coalition Against Communalism and Fundamentalism?
A.: We held the first conference
of the group in Dhaka in 2001 and the next conference will be in Delhi
in end-2003-early 2004. The support has been from all sections, including
several politicians, journalists, activists and intellectuals from India
and neighbouring countries. It was formed because the people who are fighting
fundamentalism do not have a platform of their own while fundamentalist
groups are organised.
Q.: What is the condition of the
Hindu minority in Bangladesh?
A.: Their condition is deteriorating
by the day. The percentage of Hindus in Bangladesh is decreasing due to
migration. Secularism has been wiped out from the Constitution and the
extremist groups are having a sway. The Hindus are increasingly finding
it difficult to live in the country as the government is looking the other
way and political parties are shy of supporting their cause.
Q.: How could this trend be reversed?
A.: We are creating awareness in
the country and countering the propaganda of the fundamentalists. We are
getting support from various quarters. If secularism becomes the mainstay
of Bangla-deshi polity, things would turn for the better. The government
is to blame for the growth of the undemocratic forces.
Q.: How do the people of Bangladesh
see India?
A.: In general, the image of India
is quite good. They see it as a friend who helped the country in the struggle
for independence. However, over the years, some flawed policy on the part
of India has distanced the two countries. Ironically, Pakistan is now becoming
closer to the ruling groups. This happened because Bangladesh was ruled
by the military rulers for a long time and the fundamentalists gained control.
Bangladesh is undergoing an Islamisation and Pakistanisation at present.
This is violating human rights and the spirit of secularism.