Democracy will be buried again if religious extremism isn't stopped, says Tarique

He highlights that the people are ready to use their vote to reclaim their lost rights

BNP's Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman has warned that if religious extremism is not controlled, the “obituary” of democracy will once again be written in Bangladesh.

Speaking virtually from London at an Iftar of the BNP at the Dhaka Ladies Club in Eskaton on Wednesday, he said: "If the activities of extremists are not controlled, Bangladesh may face an image crisis in the democratic world."

In his speech at the pre-Iftar discussion, Tarique urged the interim government to act against religious extremism and militancy.

He also called on the interim government to address the growing threat of extremism.

Tarique cautioned that failing to act would allow extremist groups and defeated fascist forces to regain influence.

The remarks came shortly after US Intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard, who visited India earlier this week, responded to questions about religious extremism in Bangladesh.

In an interview with the Indian news channel NDTV World on Monday, Gabbard said: "The threat of Islamist terrorists and the global effort of different terror groups are routed in the same ideology and objective - which is to rule or govern with an Islamist caliphate.

"This obviously affects people of any other religion, other than the one that they find acceptable, and they chose to carry this out with terror and violent ways and means."

In response to Gabbard's remarks, the Chief Advisor’s Office (CAO) expressed "deep concern and distress.”

The CAO said, “Gabbard's comments are not based on any evidence or specific allegations that paint an entire nation with a broad and unjustified brush.

“Bangladesh, like many countries around the world, has faced challenges of extremism, but it has continuously worked in partnership with the international community, including the US, to address these issues through law enforcement, social reforms, and other counterterrorism efforts.”

In this context, Tarique emphasised the importance of preserving the country's secular democratic character.

"Alongside combating the activities of extremists and religious fundamentalists, the fugitive mafia group responsible for ‘genocide’ must be brought to justice at any cost," he said.

"Strengthening the democratic system in Bangladesh will be the political arrangement of the future for BNP and other democratic forces."

The BNP leader also highlighted the importance of ensuring the political and economic empowerment of the people to strengthen and sustain the political process.

“For over one and a half decades, the powerless people are now ready to reclaim their rights by using their voting power and establish a government of their own,” he said.