It is time for the political leadership of South Asia to form a united front against all forms of religious extremism
Durga Puja pavilions, Hindu temples and homes were attacked in Bangladesh this month. These attacks followed rumors that the Quran was desecrated in a pandal. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration assured security to the Hindus and deployed additional security forces in the districts where the attacks took place. The ISKCON temple was attacked a few hours after the Prime Minister’s assurance. At least five people have been killed in these attacks.
legacy of struggle
Religious tensions are nothing new in the Indian subcontinent. Conflicts often break out between different religious groups, and minorities are targeted. The 1992 Babri Masjid demolition in Ayodhya led to riots, in which around 2,000 people were killed. Other examples include the 1993 Bombay bombings, the 2019 Easter attacks in Colombo and the successive terror attacks in Pakistan over the past decade. In the case of Bangladesh, where Hindus make up about 9% of the population and Muslims 90%, attacks against the Hindu minority are either retaliation for acts committed in the name of religion within the country or in neighboring India, or are due to extremist views. of some Muslims. For example, the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya provoked a violent reaction in Bangladesh and mobs began demolishing several Hindu temples.
Faith-based conflicts take place both within and within countries. The India-Pakistan rivalry spans from religious and political realms to sports – cricket matches between the two teams see more spectators than usual. The separation of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971 was an example of how culture also plays an important role in separating or uniting a country.
In recent times, right-wing parties have been ruling the subcontinent, gaining the support of major religious populations and undermining religious minorities. Examples are the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in India and the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) in Pakistan. The controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act passed in the Indian Parliament in 2019 was a faith-based test of citizenship and provoked rallies and protests across the subcontinent. Ms Hasina called the law “unnecessary”. The rise of Taliban in Afghanistan was supported by PTI leader and Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. The subcontinent is developing towards a polarization of Hindus and Muslims.
different reactions
In Bangladesh, it is commendable that the government takes strict action against religious extremist groups and promotes the celebration of festivals of all religions by ensuring security at religious places during festival days. Muslims visit Hindu temples on Durga Puja or celebrate Holi and invite Hindus on Eid. Bangladesh has developed a strong counter-terrorism wing from its security forces to deal with religious extremist attacks. The counter-terrorism unit has prevented countless planned attacks and imprisoned many extremist groups. Some people have been sentenced to death, including those involved in the July 2016 attack on the local cafe Holly Artisan. Bangladesh has not only cracked down on terror groups since the cafe attack, but also prevented the gathering of religious protesters to quell the violence. For example, a recent gathering of Muslim extremist groups to protest against France’s anti-Islamic laws was disrupted by law enforcers.
On the other hand, in India, the government first came under criticism for not taking prompt action against cow vigilantes who attacked poor Muslims and then for implementing the CAA. Protests broke out against the law across the country, and the administration responded to them with divisive rhetoric and an overwhelming response.
Unfortunately, the South Asian political leadership does not have the vision and courage needed to rise to the occasion and stand together to send a clear message of zero tolerance against all forms of religious extremism and bigotry. When religion becomes an instrument of political gain, the resulting hatred and intolerance spread rapidly. It has the potential to become a wildfire that consumes everything that comes in its way. Such fire and fury can only damage the socio-economic aspirations of the region. The rise of the Taliban in Afghanistan is a wake-up call for the political leadership of South Asia to forge a united front against all forms of religious dogma and extremism. Seventy-five years after Partition, harmony, religious coexistence and tolerance are all under threat. When there are so many burning issues to address such as poverty alleviation, climate change and food security, can the region afford such myopia?
Syed Munir Khasroo is the President of The Institute for Policy, Advocacy and Governance, New Delhi, India, which also has presence in Dhaka, Melbourne, Vienna and Dubai. Email: munir.khasru@ipag.org
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