Rising Extremism in Bangladesh under the name March for Gaza

We protest against the brutality of Israel in Palestine. Historically, the state of Bangladesh has done so, continues to do so, and will do so in the future. The state expresses its position clearly through state processes. There is no need for an aggressive stance against aggression here. Condemnation and protest are conducted in an ideological, diplomatic manner. There is no need for threats or showdowns.

Our foreign policy is friendship with all, enmity with none. It is precisely because of this policy that Bangladesh maintains relations with Pakistan. The same Pakistan from which Bangladesh fought for independence, during which, in the 1971 Liberation War alone, three million people were martyred, and over two to three hundred thousand women were violated. Yet, we maintain relations with that Pakistan. There are strains in this relationship, true, but ties have not been severed. Even though Muhammad Yunus’s unelected interim government has established warm relations with Pakistan, the people of Bangladesh have not forgotten the genocide of 1971. In that genocide, Jamaat-e-Islami, Islami Chhatra Sangha, Razakars, Al-Badr, Al-Shams, and members of the Peace Committees collaborated with Pakistanis in perpetrating atrocities in Bangladesh.

We, the people of Bangladesh, are victims of one of the largest genocides in history at the hands of Pakistan. Yet, there is no shortage of people in Bangladesh who stand in favor of Pakistan. Driven by political beliefs, they collaborated with Pakistan’s brutality in Bangladesh in 1971, and even now, due to those same political beliefs and ideological pull, they maintain warm relations with Pakistan. Astonishingly, having conveniently forgotten the genocide committed against them, a large section of these people are now vocal in protesting Israel’s brutality. If this could be seen as a process of purification, it might spare them embarrassment! But it is not a purified stance, as they remain unrepentant for their role in 1971 and have not sought forgiveness.

Last Saturday, a massive gathering took place at Dhaka’s Suhrawardy Udyan in support of the oppressed Palestinians. The event, titled “March for Gaza,” was organized by an organization called the “Palestine Solidarity Movement Bangladesh.” Leaders from various parties, including BNP, Jamaat, and the King’s Party NCP, were present at the event. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is undeniable, but the unrest in Bangladesh is driven more by religious reasons than humanitarian ones. As a result, most participants in the “March for Gaza” were seen projecting a religious image, with many dressed in overtly religious attire. On the stage of this program, there were many who support ongoing crimes against humanity and aggression in Bangladesh. There is no security for the lives of women and children in our own country; people are being killed without trial; they advocate for institutionalizing political vengeance daily, yet they have become champions of the human rights of Gaza’s people. This is essentially humanitarian hypocrisy. Many present were directly associated with the 1971 genocide. This, indeed, is irony!

Bangladesh has consistently supported the demand for an independent Palestine. The history of Israel’s inhumanity toward Palestinians is not new. Recent events are merely a continuation of the past. We have protested many times. Protests have also been made at the state level on global platforms. Just before the 12th national election, when discussions about the Gaza situation were widespread in Bangladesh, parties like BNP and Jamaat were not as vocal due to strategic reasons. The Awami League, with significant power and a strong voice, was making fiery statements in support of Gaza’s people. Later, in February, the then-Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, in an interview with Turkey’s Anadolu Agency at the Munich Security Conference, said, “What is happening in the besieged Gaza Strip is genocide.” She also called on world leaders to stop the genocide in Gaza.

At that time, the then-opposition in Bangladesh adopted a strategically softer stance in support of Gaza’s people. They condemned Israel, but not as vocally as they do now.

Last Saturday’s event at Suhrawardy Udyan, expressing solidarity with Palestinians, was prominently covered in global media. The Associated Press (AP) also reported on it. The report mentioned that images of Donald Trump and Narendra Modi were attacked for allegedly supporting Israel. This news was published worldwide. In other words, the world has learned about Dhaka’s support for Gaza and many aspects of the event. AP News noted the participation of BNP and Islamist groups and parties.

Beyond religious groups, BNP leaders Salahuddin Ahmed, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Gono Adhikar Parishad’s Nurul Haq Nur, and NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah were present. No leaders from the Jatiya Party or leftist parties were seen at the event. With Awami League’s politics unofficially banned in the country, naturally, no leaders from that party were present.

Religious leader Mizanur Rahman Azhari, close to Jamaat, was at the event. A journalist-activist named Juwairnain Sayer raised concerns about Azhari’s attire, alleging that he wore glasses from a brand owned by Israel. This post went viral on Facebook, with many criticizing Mizanur Rahman Azhari. No statement from Azhari has been found regarding this. If the glasses brand is indeed owned by an Israeli company, it reflects the hypocrisy of this Jamaat-affiliated Islamic speaker. Additionally, a viral video on social media showed Azhari, along with Hasnat Abdullah and others, leaving during a prayer session. The exact reason for their departure remains unconfirmed.

A notable aspect of the event was NCP leader Hasnat Abdullah’s black attire. What was the reason for wearing this color? Black clothing is commonly associated with members of the international terrorist organization ISIS. This drew attention to Hasnat Abdullah on the stage. The flag of this organization is also black with white Arabic text. Some videos showed people displaying this controversial flag, and security personnel were seen confiscating it from several individuals.

The “March for Gaza” event held in Dhaka received widespread global coverage. We may feel mentally and morally satisfied for standing with Gaza’s people, but this could embarrass the interim government’s chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, and BNP on the global stage. In particular, AP News highlighted that the event was attended by former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia’s party, BNP, and Islamist groups and parties. When the news mentioned attacks on images of U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there is ample reason for embarrassment.

Despite protests from a large part of the world, Israel’s unjust actions against Palestine continue. There are also many powerful countries that support Israel. We are dependent on these powerful countries in various ways. Even in the so-called “new political arrangement” we are in, the role of the deep state and those close to Israel cannot be denied, even if acknowledged.

For the past few months, discussions about the spread of religious extremism in Bangladesh have been ongoing in international circles. U.S. intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard recently spoke about extremists in Bangladesh during a visit to India. A few days ago, The New York Times published a report on extremism in Bangladesh, which, despite being rejected by the government’s press wing, has not been retracted. Thus, the participation of thousands in the March for Gaza, the display of ISIS’s black flag, attacks on images of Trump and Modi, and AP News’s mention of BNP and Islamist groups’ involvement are matters to watch for how others analyze these events.

The organizers may express satisfaction with the massive turnout at the event. Many on Facebook are reminding others that this reflects their unity against the ousted Awami League. But will this truly bring relief to Muhammad Yunus’s interim government and BNP? Is this really a show of support for Gaza’s people, or a showdown by some other faction? When such claims arise, and most organizers seem more interested in something other than elections, the question becomes pertinent!

We have no diplomatic relations with Israel. After independence, although Israel recognized Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman refused to accept that recognition. From Bangabandhu to Zia, Ershad, Khaleda Zia, and Sheikh Hasina, all governments have been united in supporting the demand for an independent Palestine and have recognized Palestine. This is the stance of the Bangladesh state. Recently, the interim government issued a mild statement calling for an end to the brutality in Gaza, but no personal statement from “international player” Muhammad Yunus has been observed.

Muhammad Yunus is a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. His personal statements carry weight. Nobel laureates like him often issue statements on various issues. Yet, so far, nothing of the sort has been seen from him. While we know the stance of the Bangladesh state in favor of Palestine, we do not know the personal stance of our Nobel laureate.

Such a massive gathering took place in Dhaka, with lakhs of people participating, but we truly do not know whose side our Nobel laureate is on. Is he neutral? However, we, the people of Bangladesh, stand for an independent Palestinian state and against genocide! At the same time, we question how those who support human rights violations in our own country can be vocal about defending human rights in another country. I called it hypocrisy at the start, and now I call it deception; it is indeed deception!

Deceivers deceive in various ways. Not everyone who stood for humanity in Gaza is a criminal—that cannot be said, nor is it logical. Many attended out of a humanitarian call. However, among these protesters are thieves, scoundrels, collaborators in the 1971 genocide, their ideological successors, human rights violators, and their direct supporters. No matter how large a protest is organized with such deceivers, the result is ultimately futile. I am not in favor of counting heads here; I am in favor of reading morality!

Kabir Aahmed: Journalist, columnist.