They also said women and journalists are passing through a critical situation as they are subjected to state-sponsored violence and discrimination.

The speakers expressed their unanimous view at different seminars on the last day of the two-day convention titled 'Unity against Terrorism' that began in the city on Tuesday.

The fundamentalists are expanding their activities across the country on the basis of their strong economic base, said Prof Abul Barkat in his keynote paper titled 'Economy of fundamentalists and communal people: Where Bangladesh is heading towards? at a seminar.

Discrimination in wealth distribution and extreme poverty are the two major factors which helped fanaticism to grow in Bangladesh, he added.

Blaming the governments for failing to narrow down the gap between the rich and the poor, Prof Barkat explained the negative impacts of fundamentalism on future politics and the economy.

He said the net profit of the financial and business organisations run by the fundamentalists stands at Tk 1200 crore, which helps them to operate their activities smoothly.

Prof Muntasir Mamun of Dhaka University said the fanatical forces have developed a strong base as different political parties used them on different occasions to fulfil their purpose.

The government is harbouring these elements, instead of taking actions against them, he added.

Presided over by HT Imam, the first cabinet secretary of the country, the seminar was also addressed by folklore expert and former DG of National Museum Shamsuzzaman Khan, Prof Imtiaz Ahmed of Dhaka University, former ambassador Mohiuddin Ahmed and Moinuddin Khan Badal of Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Inu).

At another seminar titled 'Blow to the Freedom of Thought', the speakers said the government's 'undemocratic' interference as well as the emergence of communal forces have dealt a severe blow to free-thinking.

The synchronised bombings across the country on August 17 has proved that there is a deep-rooted conspiracy against free-thinking, independence and democracy, said noted journalist Abul Momen in his keynote paper.

While the government has turned a blind eye to the Islamist militants, it has resorted to repression of those who reveal the fact to the public, said Prof Golam Rahman of Dhaka University.

"The government now wants to curtail the freedom of the press, saying that the journalists are now enjoying too much freedom," he said, adding that if the government really does it, the freedom of press will suffer a serious setback.

Freedom of thought is also threatened by the foreign donors who influence the country's economy by providing aid, said Dr Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, president of Bangladesh Economic Association.

The poor people of the country have no opportunity to think freely as they are bound to accept any ideology due to extreme poverty, he added.

Presided over by journalist Kamal Lohani, the seminar was also addressed by Barrister Tania Amir, Prof Dr Abdul Khaleque and Awami League leader Mahmudur Rahman.

At another seminar, the speakers said the repression of women is not an isolated phenomenon and the incidents of state-sponsored violence against women have increased since the alliance government took office.

The August 17 bomb blasts have also threatened the advancement of women, they said at the seminar titled 'Repression of Women'.

Awami League leader Motia Chowdhury said the state is patronising terrorism through amendments to the National Women Development Policy.

Even women are also discouraged from taking up challenging professions, she added.

Advocate Sultana Kamal of Ain O Shalish Kendra presented a keynote paper.

Presided over by Prof Abul Bayes, the seminar was also addressed by AL General Secretary Abdul Jalil, Dr Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir, Asaduzzaman Noor, Mahmudur Rahman Manna, Prof Syed Manzoorul Islam, litterateur Selina Hossain, Ayesha Khanam and Dr Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.