Editorial
Executed JMB men
Justice triumphs, but we must remain alert
The execution of six Jama'atul Mujahideen militants hopefully brings to an end a very horrific phase in the country's history. There can be little question that the nation has heaved a sigh of relief in knowing that justice has been done through the despatch of these men, specifically in light of the travesty they had been subjecting religion to in their narrow, parochial interest. That the law was finally able to catch on to them is proof that given political sincerity and moral conviction on the part of government, terrible wrongs can be put a check to. In this context, one cannot but note the long period which elapsed between identifying the militants and their eventual trial and execution. One hardly needs to be enlightened on the political connections such purveyors of religious extremism maintained throughout their long, sordid career. These connections went a long way in slowing down the process of netting them, not least because of the denial mode in which the last administration had put itself about the activities of the JMB all over the country. Media reports relating to the operations of the JMB network threw continuous light on what was becoming a major issue, but the authorities chose to look away from the reality. It was not until the concerted explosions carried out by the JMB in 63 of the country's 64 districts in 2005, thereby bringing Bangladesh under the international spotlight, that the grave nature of the situation was finally acknowledged by the government. Now that the law has taken its natural course, through a decisiveness of judgment and an implementation of it, it is hoped that such religious extremism will not in future vitiate society and politics in this country any more. It will, however, be naïve to suppose that the executions of the six militants have put an end to extremism in Bangladesh. Fanaticism, unless checked in good time, always digs deep roots anywhere. That thought should keep the nation, especially the authorities, alert to future dangers. There are followers, as well as well-placed patrons, of the JMB; and these elements need to be hauled out of their caves and neutralized. On a bigger scale, there are the root causes of fanaticism that call for swift, decisive handling. Among such causes are unemployment, a lack of social opportunities, et al. Such marks of discontent only add to the growth and spread of religious extremism, which is why government and society at large need to address them in purposeful manner. The triumph of the rule of law we have just experienced is in a larger sense a victory of morality. Let that become a pattern for all of us from here on.
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