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[ লেখাটি কয়েকবছর আগের। বর্তমানে করোনায় আক্রান্ত পৃথিবী ও এ জনপদ। বিপর্যস্ত মানুষের জীবন ও জীবিকা। কিন্তু তার মধ্যেও অন্তঃসলিলা ফল্গুধারার মত বয়ে চলেছে ভূ-রাজনৈতিক ঘটনাবলি, যা আকস্মিকও নয়, অতীতের কার্যকারণ থেকে বিচ্ছিন্নও নয়। করোনা গোটা বিশ্বের সকল রাজনৈতিক কাঠামো আর রাষ্ট্রব্যবস্থার স্বরূপ সাধারণের কাছে উন্মুক্ত করে দিচ্ছে। সামনের বহূকাল চলবে এর বিচার বিশ্লেষণ ও করণীয় নির্ধারণ। কারণ জীবন থেমে থাকবে না। সম্প্রতি দক্ষিণ এশিয়া তথা এশিয়-প্রশান্ত মহাসাগরীয় এলাকায় যে অস্থিরতা চলছে, তার ভূ-রাজনৈতিক গুরুত্ব অস্বীকার করা যায় না। করোনা পরবর্তী বিশ্বে চলবে রাজনৈতিক মেরুকরণ। দেশে দেশে দুঃস্থ শ্রমজীবি মানুষ, বেকার মধ্যবিত্ত বা জমিতে খেটে খাওয়া কৃষকের বেঁচে থাকার লড়াই চলবে। আর এটা নিশ্চিত যে, যা কিছুই হোক তা হবে রাজনৈতিক-অর্থনীতির পরিমন্ডলে, সেটাই নির্ধারক ভূমিকা পালন করবে। ব্যর্থ রাষ্ট্রব্যবস্থা এবং তার মালিকদের তার জবাবদিহি থাকতে হবে। রাষ্ট্র যে নিরপেক্ষ হয় না, কোন না কোন শ্রেণীর স্বার্থই রক্ষা করে তা আড়াল করার যতই বুদ্ধিবৃত্তিক চেষ্টা চলুকনা কেন,বাস্তবতা বুঝিয়ে দেয় সত্যটা কি? তাই সেই নিরিখেই সকল আর্থ-সামাজিক এবং ভূ-রাজনৈতিক ঘটনাবলী ব্যাখ্যার দাবী রাখে। অতি সম্প্রতি কিছু ঘটনা ও নানা বিশ্ব শক্তির ভূমিকা এ সম্পর্কিত চিন্তার প্রাসঙ্গিকতা বাড়িয়ে তুলেছে। করোনা পরিস্থিতির আড়ালে বৈশ্বিক ও আঞ্চলিক রাজনীতি নান রূপ নিচ্ছে। বিশ্লেষণে পার্থক্য থাকবে, কিন্তু তার মধ্য দিয়ে বর্তমান ও ভবিষ্যত করণীয় নির্ধারিত হবে।]
Both the Issues are so relevant and pertinent in the arena of politics in this region that they demand a thorough and explicit study separately. But it has been found through decades at least in this region of the globe that this two forces are so integrated and interrelated that presently it has become urgent political agenda to understand this two issues jointly and simultaneously. Although the present article will not allow that space and span of rigorous study, the objective is to put the salient features of both the issues for making a foundation for rigorous discussion and exchange of ideas to have a fruitful view to develop a practical and pragmatic policy for the concerned forces to fight on behalf of people against both the evils.
South Asia ( SAARC countries) is being more and more important in relation to geo-political and economic interests for the Imperialist forces i.e. the United States and its European allies. US policy for South Asia is being highly influenced by the so called threat of economic influence of growing Indian and Chinese economy. From the stand point of geo-political and economic interest, South Asia may be treated in three predominate zones: Western zone that includes Pakistan-Afghanistan, Central zone that is India and the Eastern zone that includes Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan. The heroic victory of Nepal’s progressive forces and people in abolishing monarchy in the beginning of 21st century is an eye sore to Imperialist forces. Sri Lanka and Maldives are also important regional bases for the Imperialist forces for different other interests , that is, to make influence over Indian Ocean. Myanmar can be treated as immediate Hinterland of Eastern zone. US imperialist and their European partners have long cherished desire to enter into internal politics of Myanmar and to put hold on its mineral resources, gas and oil reserves.
The imperialist intervention is usually materialized in the name of regional security, economic aid, demand of democratic stability, counterterrorism policy, diplomatic initiatives etc. In this article we will try to discuss the policy and intervention of the US and their allies, in a short, only mentioning the salient points. We will also try to shed light on the emergence of religious fundamentalism over the region, with a special attention to its relation and conflict with imperialist interest.
2.1. How does Bangladesh become the epi-center of geo-politics of the Eastern zone? :
Liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971 is a historic pivotal political incident in South Asia. This historic event and the emergence of Bangladesh has paved the way for a new geo- political and regional economic polarization. It is known generally that the US has a historical legacy of making friendship with Pakistan to combat former Soviet influence and also to take grip over India’s politics and economy. Through decades after 1947, the Kashmir issue came in lime light in different form in different time and US played a dubious role. The conflict of India and Pakistan continued over the decades with this issue in the center. This conflict of India and Pakistan escalated during the Liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971. Following the previous policy , US Government nakedly supported Pakistani military Junta against People’s struggle of Bangladesh. Although Western press exclusively reported about the atrocities and brutality of the Pakistan army and their collaborators on the peoples of Bangladesh, US Government and Pentagon paid no heed to it. Ignoring the merit of the demand and struggle of Bangladesh, they continued to take the policy in favor of their narrow global and zonal geo-political and economic interests. At that time, Pakistan was their diplomatic lever to make relation with China. On the other hand, Indian people and Government stood by the peoples of Bangladesh. The former Soviet Union also supported the liberation struggle. Through the defeat and surrendering of Pakistan Army, US influence in the Eastern zone of South Asia was shattered seriously and faced a serious set- back. For the time being, they had to retreat. But they started regrouping and re-planning to recover the loss. Different documents of that time support and reveal the fact. They started helping the anti-liberation force to be reorganized. The newly born Bangladesh Government under Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the unparallel leader of liberation war, failed to handle the political conflict amongst the pro-liberation forces, to restructure the devastated economy, to resist corruption and to give momentum to the economy. The people faced a disastrous famine, became helpless. People expected that they would be rewarded with a pro-people, friendly, earnest and honest political leadership, who will stand beside them to recover their irreparable loss in all aspects of life in liberation war. But they became to some extent disappointed. People began to turn their face from once overwhelmingly popular ruling party, AL. Situation made Mujib and his party slowly isolated from common people. The anti-liberation force especially those who were implanted in the army through different processes, took the advantage of the situation. The whole condition made a fertile bed for the imperialist forces especially for US to intervene, to restore their lost ground. Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and almost all of his family members were brutally assassinated by a group of military officers and Jawans on 15 August, 1975. Through a successive coup and counter coup, all the prominent leaders of liberation war were killed. As a matter of fact, the rehabilitation of anti-liberation rightist force started. The condition initiates the process of re-emergence of rightist anti-liberation fundamentalist forces and deep intervention of imperialist powers. It is to be specially noted that through the historical process in Bangladesh, the imperialist forces especially US becomes the natural ally and friend to the rightist fundamentalists who opposed the liberation. In the ‘70s, with a view to confront Soviet influence in this region, US imperialist put forward one kind of policy at that time. Situation was changed after demise of Soviet Union. Then the basis of their policy was primarily to combat the emergent economic influence of both China and India, to restore their economic and political influence achieved henceforth and also to extend their ruling hands towards South East Asia. US and their allies had always a special attention to Bangladesh to make it an epi-center, owing to its important geo-political position. Now, imperialist forces want the grip on the economic market. To take control over the Chittagong sea-port, to get permanent stronghold on possible deep sea port of Sonadia, to get access to possible gas and oil reserve in the Bay of Bengal and coal mine in the Northern zone are the strategic point of interest of US imperialism and their allies to hold permanent strategic geo-political and economic position in this region. It is to be noted that US and the European Union are continuously pressing and intervening in internal affairs of Bangladesh crossing the diplomatic norms. Besides, in the time of vulnerable political situation, US government stopped GSP and compelled Bangladesh Government to sign the TICFA, their long cherished goal. These ugly pushes show the intention of the Imperialist forces. Apart from the direct economic interest , they also want to use the physical and political strong-hold on Bangladesh to make maneuvering relation with India. Moreover, US imperialism and their partners want a stronghold to extend their strategic presence in Myanmar and its mineral resources also. For the view point of the global strategy of the Imperialist forces, Bangladesh is the spring board for heading towards South-East and Asia Pacific zone. It is safe to uphold the view that to achieve their political and economic goal in Bangladesh, Imperialism considers the anti-liberation forces i.e. religious fundamentalists and their political allies as their natural friends.
Of course, a bit new situation arose after 9/11. The launching of the US military strike on Taliban and Al Quaeda in Afghanistan, the US administration became overtly concerned about the rise of militant religious fundamentalists (in their language- terrorists) in this region also, which they consider, may be threat for their national security. Once a friend has turned into a threat. What an irony!
2.2. Rise of Religious Fundamentalism in Bangladesh:
It has already been mentioned that after the brutal assassination of Sheikh Mujib, the rehabilitation of fundamentalist rightist forces started. The collaborators of ’71 came back to light in political process in different names. Jamaat-E-Islami got the opportunity to start their political activity openly in the ‘80s. Their student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir started making penetration in different educational institutions along with their monetary solvency and violent activities. The money influx from Middle East especially from Soudi Arab strengthened their own business, educational institutions (madrasas), Islami bank, insurance company and other monetary organizations making shelter for their cadres, workers and to make influence over all aspects of life. They became successful due to favour of the then ruling force led by General Ziaur Rahman, then by General Ershad, on succession by Begum Zia(BNP). Sometimes , AL is also accused to some extent for its appeasement policy towards Jamaat. By the way, US provided overt and covert support to Jamaat, considering them as a moderate muslim force. These processes deepened through the later decades and culminated in reaching the Fundamentalist force to power along with BNP (Four party alliance) in 2001. After 2001, the activity of the militant forces got momentum. According to different news agency and government intelligence, more than 15 religious militant groups are active in Bangladesh. But some apprehends that the actual number is more than that. It is assumed that these forces started their activities intensely in the ‘80s. But their activity came to focus after their attack on renowned poet Shamsur Rahman in January, 1999 by Harkadul Zehad. It is well perceived that these forces were directly or indirectly associated with Osama Bin Laden and Al Quaeda. According to some sources, there were more than 450 Madrasas those who got money from Laden and his cohorts to develop its infrastructure and to use them as recruiting center and training place. Important news media reported that there were more than 15000 militant workers belonging to Harkatul Jihad. It was evident that all this militant workers were somehow directly or indirectly patronized by Jamaat. When four party alliance was in power, Jamaat seemed more powerful than BNP. Through rise of JMB, one of their key leaders, ‘Bangla Bhai’ in Bagmara of Rajshahi district became, as if Laden of Bangladesh. Brutal torture by ‘Bangla Bhai’ and their gang on common people, who were their political opponents in their views, was parallel to the brutality of Pakistani Junta and Nazi concentration camp. The four party alliance headed by Khaleda-Nizami always refused to admit the occurrence of this kind of violence and other communal violences in the country. They continuously tried to prove that all these news about the violence were fabricated, distorted and exaggerated. But due to strong movements in different areas led by the progressive forces (especially by Workers Party in Rajshahi) and all out broadcasting of the news by all kinds of media, government was bound to pose at least to take some steps. But then it was too late. People of Bangladesh rebuffed the fundamentalist communal force through election 2009. 14 party alliance came to power with an overwhelming majority. Parliament took decision of constituting the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) for the trial of war criminals of ’71 liberation war. By 2012 nine leaders of Jamaat and two of the BNP had been indicted as suspects in war crimes. In February 2013 the court had handed down a life sentence to one of the 1971 war criminals, and not a death sentence. This, people felt, was too lenient. Akin to the Tahrir Square type movement of 2011 in Cairo, protestors congregated at Shahbag Square, now often referred to as Projonmo Chottor (New Generation Circle) to launch a protest against the court’s decision. The movement of Shahbag Square, dominated by the youth, gained momentum to attract widespread media coverage and support from all walks of life. The organizers of the protest tried steadfastly to remain apolitical. However, over time, it became evident that it did not have the endorsement of the BNP, whose position on the ICT was always unclear and controversial.
Since February 2013, Bangladesh witnessed an increased level of political confrontation and disturbance, manifested into nationwide strikes, commonly called hartals. People of Bangladesh witnessed the brutal face of Jamaat and Shibir. They torn out their veils, plunged the whole country into a brutal violence to save their leaders having capital punishment by ICT. Second stage of violent activity of the fundamentalist forces started.
To combat the peaceful movement of Shahbag Chattar, Hefajat-e-Islam Bangladesh came in front. Hifazat-e-Islam Bangladesh is a madrasa based fundamentalist Islamic group formed in January 2010. This group, politically backed by Bangladesh Jamaat-E-Islami was formed in 2010 to protest against the secular education policy of Bangladesh government. But this force was launched cleverly against Shahbag movement, using peoples’ religious sentiment to save the war criminals. On 5 May, at Dhaka, they showed violent demonstrations and holding large rallies demanded asking the government to take action against the Shahbag protesters, who were demanding capital punishment of war criminals. Jamaat became partially successful to launch the all out violent movement in the name of election under caretaker government. But it was evident that they were basically interested to save their war criminal leaders from capital punishment. Not surprisingly, breaking all kinds of diplomatic norms, the ambassadors of US and their allies supported the violent movement of 18 party alliance. They never supported the trial of war criminals, rather tried in a twisted way to save them in the name of democracy, free and fair election. They seriously condemned different actions taken by the government to control the violence spread out all over the country, but never condemned the violence makers. The evident rise of the fundamentalist terrorist forces, they never felt serious concern to. It is now known to everybody that many of the Hefazat leaders were involved in Afgan war in ‘80s, and organizers of militant terrorists organization in Bangladesh. Through the decade long activities, it is now evident that this fundamentalist forces Jamaat as in the main leadership are threat to secular democracy, progressive thinking, humanly values, peace and equal right to all citizens irrespective of their religion, cast creed and community.
3. US special Economic, military and political interest and policy for Pakistan and Afghanistan culminate in surging of militant Fundamentalists:
US policy to Pakistan went through many ups and downs through years. For America, from 1954 to 1969, Pakistan first figured as a possible ally in defense of Middle East oil, then as a staging ground for eavesdropping on the Soviets. Later, from 1979 to 1989, Pakistan was the means of safely managing a proxy war against the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. After 2001, Pakistan was to be a comrade in arms, albeit press-ganged, against al-Qaeda and the Taliban.
It has been mentioned earlier that in ’71, the US fully supported Pakistani Military Junta in Bangladesh. In 1980s, under cover of the Afghan war, the US and their allies supplied money, arms, training to extreme fundamentalist militant forces. For America’s current relationship with Pakistan, the most important issues are the war in Afghanistan and the threat of terrorism. Despite an estimated $22 billion in US military and economic assistance, Pakistan has choked the delivery of military supplies to US and NATO forces in Afghanistan. Further, and in defiance of constant US pressure, the Pakistani army’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) has persisted in supporting, training, financing and manipulating some of the Afghan Taliban groups the United States is fighting.
Despite this history, the United States has been forced to rely on a deeply distrusted Pakistani army and ISI to pursue its war against al-Qaeda and the Taliban. On the Pakistani side, there is widespread anti-Americanism. Many Pakistanis now believe the United States is the hidden hand behind many of the problems that plague their country. Over the last five years, Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in attacks by religious extremists across the country. Now it cannot be denied that the rise of religious extremists in Pakistan was the direct or indirect effect of Imperialist intervention in its politics and economy. So, now the fight against the imperialist forces has been intermingled with the fight against the fundamentalism.
4. US-India relation and emergence of Non-secular forces in India will destabilize the interests of Smaller neighbors and their people:
India is the largest member of South Asia. Although India and Pakistan got independence at the same time from British Imperialism in the late ‘40s, their economic and political development as well as international relation moved in a different way. The whole history is well known. We want to concentrate on the recent development of Indian politics and external intervention on Indian economy and politics. Historically, from the very beginning of the journey, both Pakistan and India was mutual regional political enemy. Different global powers took the advantage of these rivalry. It is mentioned earlier that US imperialism started intervening Pakistan’s economy and politics to strengthen its geo-political hegemony to combat the influence of its arch-rival Soviet Union. Despite being one of the pioneers and founding members of the non-aligned movement of 1961, India developed a closer relationship with the Soviet Union during cold war. During that period, India’s relatively cooperative strategic and military relations with Moscow and its own type of Socialist policies had a distinctly unfriendly relation with the US. After dissolution of Soviet Union in 1991, Indian ruling powers began to re-think their foreign policy in the unipolar world and took initiatives to have closer ties with European Union and the US. Rapid growth of Indian economy and bilateral trade, close links with the Indian and American IT sectors, a geopolitical coalition started between Indian ruling class and the US. A long history of twist and turn of relationship, India got always some share of US economic aid in several phases of journey. In 1971, US openly supported Pakistan and relation had frozen to lowest level. In the meantime, India in 1974 achieved nuclear power, which was opposed by the US. Of course, it was ended in some cooperation. In the late ‘70s Murarji Deshai, an anti-Soviet fellow improved the relation. But again in the ‘80s, it worsened, during Afghan war. Not until 1997, any significant improvement of relationship happened. After BJP coming to power, lead by Atal B. Vajpayee authorized nuclear test at Pokhran. The US strongly condemned this testing along with some strong economic measures. But afterward, the Clinton administration and Vajpayee started rebuilding the relation. This India-US relation and its ups and down were strongly correlated with US-Pakistan relation also. Having a strong and to some extent permanent relation with Pakistan ruling class and the military Junta, the US always maneuvered its relation with India. But due to India’s progressive development in internal economy and rise of strong Chinese economy, the US started changing its strategic plan. Putting strong footing in the Pak-Afghan Western zone, the US tried to concentrate on Eastern zone, i.e. in Bangladesh, Nepal and also in Myanmar. The US tried to confront India’s economic influence in this region, side by side, wants to cooperate with it also. So, this is a hide and seek relation. However, India emerged in the 21st century as increasingly vital to core US foreign policy interests. India the dominant actor in this region, and the home of more than billion citizens, is now often characterized as a nascent Great power and indispensable partner of the US. Since 2004, Washington and New Delhi ruling class having pursuing a ‘strategic partnership’ that is based on shared values and generally convergent geopolitical interests. Numerous economic, security and global initiatives-including plans for civilian nuclear cooperation –are underway. The two countries now engage in numerous and unprecedented combined military exercises and major US arms sales to India have gotten underway. Although there was some recent controversy and dispute over diplomatic immunity and privileges, both the power are very much aware of their mutual interest. To have an understanding of the depth of relation, it is worth mentioning the economic relations between two powers. The United States is one of the India’s largest direct investors. From 1991 to 2004, the stock of FDI flow increased from USD $11.3 million to $344.4 million and totaling $4.13 billion. The US is also one of the India’s largest trading and investment partner. So, it is worth telling that the Imperialist interest in this region will always roam around India’s economy and politics.
Although India is emerging as a strong economic power, it has its internal crises also. Its economic disparity, dual picture of development and poverty, losing influence of the progressive forces on common people, rise of non-secular forces all over India are not only the cause of headache of Indian people, but also it is equally concerning for the common people of neighboring members of South Asia. Indian people has long standing experience of fighting against Imperialism, exploitation of the ruling class and the reactionary forces, has heritage of secular culture, multicultural habits and democratic values. But it is worth concerning the rise of fundamentalist forces here . The past experience tells that the fundamentalist forces will be always pampered by the Imperialist forces. So, a simultaneous upcoming of Imperialist force and fundamentalist forces in power may create political Tsunami in this region.
5. Instead of Conclusion: Historical Intermingling of imperialist intervention and rise of fundamentalism deserves special attention:
Instead of conclusion, in this article we like to put forward the subject matter in discussion to find a way out to fight the imperialist intervention and rising fundamentalist forces in this region. All the progressive, democratic, secular forces of the respective counties in South Asia will have to read their concrete situation and to develop their own way of fight, but still there is enough scope of mutual understanding and cooperation. In this article, it is to be emphasized that the fight against imperialist intervention and rising fundamentalist forces have common ground for all. This common ground can make a regional momentum of rising regional people’s force. Another thing to mention is that Imperialism and fundamentalist forces have intrinsic friendship arising from their class character. Any temporary rivalry between these forces are not permanent. Ultimately peoples’ force will have to fight these enemies simultaneously.
March, 2015