Book Description

`It is, I think, a timely and sobering reminder of the power of all kinds of fundamentalisms in the contemporary world, and that no society is proof against their ravages, even those which have prided themselves on their secularism, tolerance and pluralism. Bangladesh is a country haunted by divisions - not only the Partition of India, but also that of the War of Liberation, and the even more fateful split, between Muslim and Bengali, which is the more menacing because it exists within individuals, within the people themselves. Whether the wholeness of a specifically Bengali version of islam can be restored is the question which this book poses′ - Jeremy Seabrook, The Guardian `This book should ring a warning bell for policymakers in the South Block. If you do not agree, read Karlekar′s chilling tale of the death of Mjuibur′s dream - and that of many others who naively believed in it′ - Kanchan Gupta, India Today `The book unravels how the hate matrix has found a place in a culturally vibrant society that just two decades back asked for freedom from the shackles of an oppressive regime′ - Anju Kumar, The Hindu `Dubbed a hotbed of terrorism across the world, Bangladesh is under the spotlight. Hiranmay Karlekar′s timely book tackles the issue with depth and insight... A must read for strategic thinkers and those involved in watching India′s neighbourhood′ - Tehelka `The author argues that the headquarters of Islamic terrorism is shifting from Afghanistan to Bangladesh, which he describes as a soft state with an ineffective government and a weak police force′ - The Pioneer `Karlekar has a long experience of reporting on Bangladesh. His book resonates with this experience and with a wealth of details, and will help fill the vacuum of information on Bangladesh and it′s crisis of fundamentalism′ - The India Express Bangladesh focuses on the growth of Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh. Hiranmay Karlekar analyzes, in detail, the historical, social, cultural and political circumstances that have led to this, and discusses the chances of the situation being altered. From a wealth of reliable sources he discusses the circumstances which account for this rise in fundamentalism and he demonstrates the forces that function within the ruling coalition in Bangladesh allowing this rise unchecked. Hiranmay Karlekar is Consultant Editor of The Pioneer and a member of the Press Council of India. During his career, he has been Editor of The Hindustan Times, Deputy Editor of The Indian Express, and Assistant Editor of The Statesman and the erstwhile Hindusthan Standard published from Kolkata by the Anandabazar Patrika group.