From: mkaziz@vela.acs.oakland.edu (KHALED AZIZ)
Subject: Countering the rise of fundamentalism.
Organization: Oakland University, Rochester MI.
Date: Tue, 12 Jan 1993 05:55:43 GMT

> Anisul Haque writes: 
 
> We hope that the democratic GOB will survive.

	Yes, let us all hope for that.

> Yes, there is a rise of fundamentalism in Bangladesh, but one can't
> counter it in an unconstitutional way and at the same time claim to
> restore democarcy. Sheikh's pardoing the Jammat was a mistake, but now
> Jammat has a legal basis to practice politics. How can a democratic GOB
> just ban a party?

	If we all agree upon the fact that Bangabandhu's pardoning the
Jamaat was a mistake, I think someone should take the initiatives to correct
the mistake.  Human beings do make mistakes.  But it is never too late
to admit one's mistake and correct it.  What Bangabandhu did was
reasonable for that time.  His intention was to give these criminals a
second chance.  He hoped that they would realize their mistakes and work
hand in hand with everybody else to rebuild  Bangladesh.  This was
by no means was a sign of his weakness. 
 
	Unfortunately, Jamaatis are not at all sorry for what they have
done.  In fact they are proud of it (e.g. "what we did in '71 was right").
These ungrateful creatures failed to show due respect to Bangabandhu and
his kindness.  

	Constitution is not like the Koran.  It can be changed, if necessary.
And I think an amendment is necessary to the constitution of Bangladesh,
which would allow trials of the war criminals who continued to engage in
anti-Bangladeshi activities.  I think some very straightforward evidences
are available against many leaders of Jamaat, which should be sufficient to
prosecute them.  And it should be done before it is too late.

	One more point: I think it is possible to take actions against
Jamaat even according to the constitution as it is. Although a bill was
passed by Ershad that declared Islam as the state religion, the
constitution still gives the right to any individual to practice his/her
own beliefs.  According to the constitution, minorities have the right to
maintain their cultural heritage and carry-on their religious practices.
Jamaat leaders do make open statements against the Hindus and call them
Kafirs.  I myself heard some leader of Jamaat speaking in a public meeting
saying "it is a shame that we allow worship of other gods in an islamic
country" or something like that.  A statement like this is clearly against
the constitution and thus an offense against the state. My point is, there
is no excuse that can keep the GOB away from taking actions against
Jamaat.  It is possible even without modifying the constitution. 

> I don't believe that BNP has any intention of banning Jammat. But even if
> they had, they couldn't.

	No party or individual can take a decision like this all 
alone.  All the major parties will have to agree on this.  If necessary, a
"gono-vote" can be arranged and the citizens of Bangladesh themselves can
decide whether they want the criminals to be prosecuted or not.  I don't
believe in banning a party.  Many workers of Jamaat were too young in '71
and clearly are not war criminals.  But if the criminals are prosecuted,
that will destroy the base of this party, and this will be a completely
legal and ethical thing to do.


> Can it be proved in the court that Jammat
> broke all the temples? I think not. And if Jammat is banned without such
> legitimate grounds, that will only start another series of arbitrary
> practice where the govt simply bans the party of not her likings. 

I guess I've already made my point above.


> Regards,

> Anisul Haque 
> Clarkson University



-- 

Khaled Aziz