The Boston Globe :
Brutal attacks are increasingly common in Bangladesh, says the US-based The Boston Globe in view of the latest violent attacks and killing.
There have been 30 similar extremist attacks since January 2015, resulting in 23 deaths and more than 140 injured, the newspaper pointed out referring to a recent internal memo from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security. “Western governments are increasingly worried, saying the country of 168 million people is starting to come undone,” observed the US newspaper. The Boston Globe touched on a number of issues that affected the country and its political landscape, in an article titled “Bangladesh at the crossroads” published on 29 May. “Politically, Bangladesh did not do as well,” the newspaper wrote, adding that each newly elected government competed to outdo the last in terms of corruption and nepotism; their efforts only interrupted by the occasional coup and counter-coup. The Globe allegorically referred to three elements – fuel, heat, and oxygen – which are resulting in flames that are “starting to get out of control”.
Collapse of democracy, youth unemployment and import of radical values
from the Middle East are described as three such elements. “The oxygen is coming from the collapse of the democratic process,” wrote Scott Gilmore, who was posted as a diplomat to Bangladesh.
The author pointed the use of power by the Awami League-led government formed through the elections by the BNP to crush all opposition groups – “to such an extent that some observers argue Bangladesh can no longer be considered a democracy.” “Fuel for the conflagration is unemployed young men,” read the article which mentioned that in Bangladesh, one of the lowest rates of employment is found among well-educated (and therefore relatively well-off) youth. “And the ignition is coming from the Middle East. Saudi-funded Wahhabi mosques and madrassas have been preaching the same radical theology that has set Pakistan and Afghanistan alight,” added the newspaper. “Bangladesh is a fragile state, and it could crumble easily,” it said.
The author, quoting a senior Western ambassador blamed crushing of the traditional opposition organisations crushed by the government for the radicalisation of youth.
“The fundamentalist propaganda coming from the Middle East…. offers them the dramatic promise of a more meaningful life fighting the enemies of Islam. That is far more interesting than supporting a local political candidate who will probably end up in jail on well-earned corruption charges,” the article said.
