Bangladesh's Secular Democracy Struggles with Violent Radical Islam

[Flintlock]

As a result of population movement from Bangladesh, the spectre looms large of the indigenous people of Assam being reduced to a minority in their home state… This silent and invidious demographic invasion of Assam may result in the loss of the geo-strategically vital districts of Lower Assam [on the border with Bangladesh]. The influx of these illegal migrants is turning these districts into a Muslim majority region. It will then only be a matter of time when a demand for their merger with Bangladesh may be made…

L K Advani's last speech in Guwahati was about this same topic - the influx of immigrants in Assam.

Frankly, I think that we should foresee this and do the best job possible to seal the borders.

At the same time, we should provide as much assistance to Bangladesh as is possible in terms of technology, expertise, monetary advice etc. etc. in order to lessen the impact and stem the flow into the Northeast.

This will also undoubtedly lead to the rise of religious fundamentalism among Hindus and the election of Hindu-nationalist parties in this region who will make it their agenda to send back the immigrants, obviously making the distinction on the basis of religion.

 

[smeaglegolum]

Definitely, India and other countries should help BD to develop economically and socially, so that people stay back in BD with good opportunities to make a living.

When TATA went to BD of establishing company for steel and fertilizers worth $3 Billion, they have rejected. Imagine, how much opportunities it would have provided for the people of BD.

 

[Flintlock]

Definitely, India and other countries should help BD to develop economically and socially, so that people stay back in BD with good opportunities to make a living.

When TATA went to BD of establishing company for steel and fertilizers worth $3 Billion, they have rejected. Imagine, how much opportunities it would have provided for the people of BD.

Why was it rejected?

 

[smeaglegolum]

Why was it rejected?

BD was unable to ensure supply of gas required for these projects.

 

[Goodperson]

BD was unable to ensure supply of gas required for these projects.

Also prolonged delay by BD govt.

 

[Flintlock]

BD was unable to ensure supply of gas required for these projects.

Could this have played a role: (from your bbc link)

Reports say some politicians and economists have said that Bangladesh should not rush to accept Tata's proposals because they may eventually go against Bangladesh's interests.

But ministers say the delay is not due to any "anti-India" bias.

 

[Goodperson]

Could this have played a role: (from your bbc link)

Reports say some politicians and economists have said that Bangladesh should not rush to accept Tata's proposals because they may eventually go against Bangladesh's interests.

But ministers say the delay is not due to any "anti-India" bias.

December 14, 2005 | The Financial Express
Tata Group to put Bangladesh projects on hold

Tata roup is likely to put on hold its $2-billion project of Tata Steel, Tata Power and Tata Chemicals in Bangladesh following concerns over the pricing of gas. Tata Group had earlier in February 2005, signed an expression of interest with the Bangladesh's Board of Investment (BoI) for putting up three gas-based projects. This comprised a 2.4 million tonne steel plant, the 1,000 MW power project and the one million tonne fertiliser plant, making it the biggest foreign direct investment (FDI) in Bangladesh from India.

The bone of contention between the Tata Group and the government of Bangladesh is over the pricing of gas. Confirming the development, Tata Sons director, JJ Irani told FE, "Bangladesh has the advantage of gas, but its pricing is a major issue of concern to us. The country lacks iron ore reserves and the Tata Steel project may not be viable if the gas is not made available to us at the right price." Apart from the gas pricing, it is learnt that the group was facing political opposition from certain groups in Bangladesh, as it would use the natural resources of the country.

Reacting to this development Tata Sons chairman Ratan Tata had then stated, "We are not going to exploit natural resources of any country. The products produced in Bangladesh with the resources of Bangladesh would also be consumed in Bangladesh." When asked if the group would relocate this project to Thailand, Mr Irani said, "Thailand has good potential for steel production but many plants are already operating there. We have not decided anything as yet."

Tata Group | Media reports | Tata Sons | Tata Group to put Bangladesh projects on hold

 

[smeaglegolum]

Could this have played a role: (from your bbc link)

Reports say some politicians and economists have said that Bangladesh should not rush to accept Tata's proposals because they may eventually go against Bangladesh's interests.

But ministers say the delay is not due to any "anti-India" bias.

Perhaps, but we will never know what were the motives or reasons behind this. I'm not sure as to why BD politicians should have anti-India bias, we don't have any geo-political and strategic issues with them as far as I know.

 

[Flintlock]

Perhaps, but we will never know what were the motives or reasons behind this. I'm not sure as to why BD politicians should have anti-India bias, we don't have any geo-political and strategic issues with them as far as I know.

Islam versus "Hindu" friction added with paranoia due to B'desh's much smaller size.

The people in power in B'desh are the Armed forces - which are roughly modeled like the ones in Pakistan. They are religious right-wingers politically who want to protect the "sovereignty" of Bangladesh.

 

[Goodperson]

Tata's had to abandon their plan in Bengal be it east or West, ofcourse political parties had huge hand.

 

[BanglaBhoot]

I think the world should be more concerned about Hindu fundamentalism and violence which has deep roots in the Indian military and intelligence. Such a threat to civilization has not appeared since the rise of the Nazi's in Germany. The economic shocks now facing India will probably help these Hindu fanatics to gain power and carry out their hostile and expansionist agenda against India's neighbors.

 

[smeaglegolum]

I think the world should be more concerned about Hindu fundamentalism and violence which has deep roots in the Indian military and intelligence. Such a threat to civilization has not appeared since the rise of the Nazi's in Germany. The economic shocks now facing India will probably help these Hindu fanatics to gain power and carry out their hostile and expansionist agenda against India's neighbors.

World should be more worried about 'Islamic Terrorism', as it is wide spread across different countries (Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, BD, Britain etc) while 'Hindu Terrorism' (if there is any) is confined to India, so India should be more worried than the world IMO.

India having expansionist agenda doesn't make sense, because it is unable to govern effectively the whole of India, one can imagine if it annex other countries what could be the fate of India, especially if those countries are at the brink of failing. India will be happy if other people leave it to its fate rather than extrapolating imaginary things out of its existence.

 

[Vinod2070]

Sorry, but any article bandying about 2 to 3 million killed by the PA, when it woudl have been statistically impossible to do so, really needs a credibility check.

That is a fallacy. Someone posted this link here a few days back.

1971 Bangladesh Genocide Archive

It is a Bangladeshi site and does a pretty good job of blowing this myth that some people are clinging to. It contains a link to the following:

Is 3 million martyrs a myth? [The Mathematics of a Genocide]

This talks of the mathematics of it.

So there are a lot of people including reputed publications like Guinisse book that quote the same number. Someone quoting that number doesn't automatically become a liar.

Warning: Both links contain disturbing images. Discretion advised.

 

[HK-47]

The Islamists are a pain in the ***.They don't do anything useful for one thing;instead they are after breaking down statues and all sorts of nonsense.Typical Bengalis.Hell I would have liked them if they had asked for banning Hindi serials.
That said I don't think secularism will be eradicated in BD ever;it's deeply rooted here in our lifestyle.

Islamic terrorists:They have been pretty much put out of action with the security forces mopping up the last ones who are still thinking of a fight.
The border is a major issue and I believe it should be addressed a lot by the next govt.

BTW given what had happened in Orissa,India some months ago (If I am correct) it would be hypocrital of the Indians to lecture us on secularism.

 

[M_Saint]

His heart lies in the same place where you are living now.

Scaring a free minded Muslim by reminding that he/she resided in U.S wouldn't do any favor to Jeffersonian constitution or Lincoln's emancipation proclamation.