International Virtual Conference on ‘The Legacy of Bangabandhu’s Secular Political Ideals

International Virtual Conference on‘The Legacy of Bangabandhu’s Secular Political Ideals: Challenges of Radicalization in Bangladesh and the Region’ Saturday 27 March 2021 (2pm-3:30pm CET)

BACKGROUND:

Bangladesh and India share many  things in common, especially in terms of history, politics and culture. India  extended all-out support to Bangladesh to liberate her from the clutches of Pakistan in 1971. Bangladesh too lent all possible cooperation to India, inter alia, uprooting the armed insurgency from the soil of Bangladesh, who under the state patronization during the BNP-Jamaat rule in late 70s and early 80s, tried to destroy the ideals of secularism and democracy from the country.

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, father of the Nation of Bangladesh, believed and executed the principles of non-alignment and joined the Non-Aligned Movement in 1973 which was initiated by India and Yugoslavia. Bangabandhu’s political philosophy best reflected in the four guiding principles of the state, was adopted in the constitution of Bangladesh. They are: Nationalism, Democracy, Secularism and Socialism.

Bangladesh was barely four-years-old when a group of derailed army officers and their men staged a bloody coup and killed Bangabandhu who had led the nation to freedom from Pakistan in 1971. After the assassination of Bangabandhu on 15 August 1975, Bangladesh moved to a different direction, far away from the above four principles and the country witnessed an alarming rise of anti-India and anti-secular forces under the leadership of General Ziaur Rahman and the BNP-Jamaat (Islamic party) rule. 

Pakistan’s role: What is a matter of more concern and alarm is that Pakistan is still struggling to wipe out the memory of their humiliating defeat in 1971 and making attempts to indulge in the iternal matters/politics of Bangladesh. In one such instance, Pakistan Parliament passed a resolution expressing grave concerns over the execution of the Bangladeshi war criminals of 1971. That Pakistan High Commission paid huge amount of money to BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami during the 2000 parliamentary elections of Bangladesh is known to all. It is also reported that ISI (Pakistan Intelligence Agency) is persuading the Rohingyas in the camps in Coxsbazar, Chittagong in Bangladesh not to return to their homeland and they are inciting this community to take part in violence. Rohingya camps have already turned into breeding centres of armed violence and in the camps a good number of Islamic NGOs were found active inciting Islamic radicalisation. Pakistan is also reported to have been fuelling up terrorism and carrying out terrorist activities in the entire region using extremist outfits such as Laskar-i-Taiba.

Time has now come to remember Bangabandhu, the father of nation of Bangladesh and recall his political philosophy and ideals and also put them at the right place. We can not afford the two years- 2020 and 2021- go unnoticed, as these two years are the most significant period for Bangladesh and India as well. The year 2020 is the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and 2021 is the 50th years of Bangladesh’s Liberation War and marking the establishment of Bangladesh-India bilateral diplomatic ties.   

On the occasion of the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, the Indian Prime Minister Mr Modi in a video message said, “We are all witnessing that how, making terror and violence weapons of politics and diplomacy destroys a society and a nation. The world is also watching where the supporters of terror and violence are currently placed and in what state they are, while Bangladesh is scaling new heights.” By saying the above, the Indian PM pointed at Pakistan.

Justification of holding the programs

While the conference will highlight the political philosophy of Bangabandhu, it will also address other issues, such as, alarming rise of anti-secular forces in Bangladesh, how Pakistan is still engaged in conspiracies with its allies such as BNP, Jamaat and other militant outfits, to derail the democratic process in Bangladesh. The Program is being organized to remind the people and the west, politicians, researchers the role of Pakistan in 1971 Liberation War of Bangladesh and reiterate the demand for international recognition of the Genocide committed by Pakistan and demand adequate 'reparation' also seek official apology from the Pakistan government. Pakistan must compensate those distressed families and martyred families, who have been suffering for the last 50 years.

The discussion will also address the threats of radicalization in Bangladesh and Europe in the name of religion, highlighting the recent series of killings in Paris and other European countries in the name of Islam.  

SPEAKERS

The speakers are : Professor James Manor, Professor Emeritus of the Institute of Commonwealth, UK, Mr. Niels van den Berge, Dutch Member of Parliament (MP) from Green Party, Ms. Saida Muna Tasneem, High Commissioner of Bangladesh in UK, Mr. M. Riaz Hamidullah is the Ambassador of Bangladesh in the Netherlands, Ms. Mahjabeen Khaled is the former MP (Member of Parliament) of Bangladesh, Mr Ansar Ahmed Ullah, co-President of EBF and Mr Bikash Chowdhury Barua, co-President of EBF.

The virtual meeting will be hosted by the London-based British News Channel and LIVE broadcast. It will also simultaneously be watched on You Tube and Facebook of the Channel simultaneously. Here is the link of You Tube to watch the program: https://youtu.be/UqmrWw-1Gcg