Shantanu Mukharji
BANGLADESH is still struggling to restore law and order and to bring in some semblance of governance. The high profile set of advisors has not done anything that may instill a sense of security in the public. There has been only high-voltage rhetoric with almost hollow content. Disturbingly, Wahabi hardliners are continuing with their acts of thoughtless destruction of Sufi and Shia shrines in many parts of the country and thelaw-enforcement agencies are watching as mute spectators.
Dhaka University, once known for its academic renown and brilliance, now seems to be under the control of jihadi-minded elements and there is utter lawlessness in the campus. Recently, a mentally-challenged young man was first videoed eating and then murdered most brutally within the university. It was unthinkable in the recent past that such mindless acts could occur in this famous centre of learning.
Jamaat-minded forces have also started talking about tampering with the academic curriculum. Veterans of the learned lot are saying that the university has now become an enlarged version of a regressive madrassa. There are no indications yet from any administrative quarters to suggest that there is any move to control this disturbing trend.
Meanwhile, Durga Puja worshippers are still feeling insecure in the absence of any meaningful assurances of safety from the authorities. Provocative statements continue to pour in from the hardliners.
US delegation visit
In the meantime, a US delegation under Brent Neiman, Assistant Secretary of State for International Finance, and accompanied by Donald Lu, a key State Department official, plus a host of members of the USAID and Trade Department visited Dhaka. This is the first significant US delegation visiting Dhaka after many years. Bangladesh side in the talks was led by Advisor ofFinancial AffairsSalehuddin Ahmed, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan Mansur, Foreign Secretary and other senior officials.
Talks between the two sides focused on economic growth, institution building and development projects. It is believed that the US team has assured a development support sum of $200 million. The visit has raised hopes that US financial assistance and related help will continue to flow enabling Bangladesh to overcome its financial problems.
The Chinese gesture
In another development, Bangladesh Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus met US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. It is after 30 long years that a Bangladesh head of state has met his US counterpart. Analyzing from these developments, it is more than evident that there is a fresh opening in US-Bangladesh relations and the bonhomie is set to continue.
Not to be left behind, the Chinese Government has dispatched a team of highly specialised medical professionals to Dhaka to treat those injured in the July uprising initiated by students. This seems to be an extraordinary Chinese gesture to the present Bangladesh regime to keep it in good humour.
Channel with India
In another political development, Bangladesh Nationalist Party Secretary General MirzaFakhrul Islam Alamgirinformed the media about his party’s meeting with Indian High Commissioner at the BNP office in Dhaka on September 22. It appears that the BNP is trying to open a channelwith India. Also, party Chairman Tanique Rahman, who lives in London, assured the Hindu minority living in Bangladesh of all security.
It is increasingly becoming clear that the BNP is trying to reach out to the Hindus, as well as to India, amid reports of steady distancing from its erstwhile partner Jamaat-eIslami. With elections in mind, the BNP, plans to occupy the vacuum caused by the exit of Sheikh Hasina and the Awami League from the political scene.
