Rise of fundamentalism is gradually engulfing the much sought for peaceful atmosphere in Bangladesh.

Ansarullah Bangla team, a group of fundamentalists, recently threatened to kill 25 top intellectuals including information minister Hasanul Huq Inu, Vice-Chairman of Dhaka University AAMS Arefin Siddique, former Vice-Chairman Dr Anwar Hossain, columnist Abed Khan, rights activist Shariar Kabir, political party (BFUJ) leader Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, journalist Shymal Dutta, Munni Shaha, Nabanita Chowdhury.

The journalist community under the banner of Dhaka Sub-Editors Council last Tuesday noon staged protest meetings in front of the national press club in the capital city. They alleged that this group Ansarullah Bangla and other like-minded violent organizations are frequently engaged in issuing such threatening acts into civil society and the worst is that the police and its administrators in government do not do anything about this serious matter.

The speakers boldly stated that it is the progressive people that are at the heart of the society. “We will continue our struggle until the fundamentalist forces are eradicated from the soil of Bangladesh; the evil forces try to establish a violent militancy and violent fundamentalism in the country. This devilish design will not see the light of day.”

The speakers urged government to bring to book all of them so that they leave off from this saddening attitude to the progressive intellectuals. Nasima Aktar Soma the chairperson of the journalist’s organization presided over the meeting while general secretary Abul Kalam Azad, KM Shahidul Huq, joint secretary Muktadir Anik, Abu Kowsar Khokon, Dilruba Khan, Anjuman ara Shilpi also spoke the audience.

In fact, violent militancy and fundamentalism are ruining the country. When the BNP political group come to power it takes support and co-operation from these underhand forces. But again, the Awami League when it comes to power also does the same. These acts confuse the general population and makes them wonder just what Bangladesh is going to become in the future.