In accordance with the education ministry’s advisory, educational institutions in the country yesterday held meetings to raise awareness against militancy and terrorism among students and society. All institutions like schools, colleges, universities and madrasahs held different programmes such as discussions and processions as part of the programme. The education ministry had earlier instructed all the institutions to hold such meetings with students, teachers, guardians, members of local elites, law enforcers, district administrators and religious leaders.
Attending one such discussion meeting at the TSC of Dhaka University, education minister Nurul Islam Nahid said, “Social movement is necessary against those instigating militancy by misinterpreting Islam.” He added that that Islam was a religion of peace and “no one can go to heaven by killing people with bombs”. Nahid also said that no one could lay the foundation of militancy in Bangladesh if students, teachers and guardians are united. “Some say that madrasahs are factories for militancy. But I always stood against this view. Those who have been detained for suspected militant activities are students from different universities,” he said. The minister urged the teachers “to teach with affection so that students are encouraged to inform them about suspicious persons or activities”. University Grants Commission (UGC) chairman Prof. Abdul Mannan said, “Everyone has to be alert against militancy. Information about militants has to be given to the law enforcers.” Addressing another discussion meeting at Nabakumar Institution and Dr Shahidullah College, food minister Qamrul Islam said, “All should come forward to assist the law enforcers to curb militancy.” Chief of the counter terrorism unit of police Monirul Islam told a meeting at Viqarunnisa Noon School and College: “There is no place for militancy in Bangladesh. The militants are few in numbers and we have suppressed them. All militants will be eradicated soon.”
Addressing a meeting at Eden Mahila College, National University vice-chancellor Prof. Dr Harun-or-Rashid said, “Nobody is born a militant. The environment makes them so. We have to be aware of this so that no one goes on the wrong track.” Meanwhile, thousands of students, teachers and employees of Islamic University brought out a rally led by vice-chancellor Dr Rashid Ashkari on the university premises and then held a discussion meeting. The speakers said that a few militants could not retard the country’s development if the people of the country united against them. Presiding over an anti-militancy meeting at Rajshahi University, vice-chancellor Prof. Muhammad Mizanuddin said, “Islam never supports militancy, but some people give wrong explanations to carry out their nefarious activities. They use religion as a shield.” He added: “We have to identify those who want to carry out such evil acts. Guardians should play a vital role in this case.” The government took the initiative to hold such awareness programmes because some of the militants involved in the attacks on Holey Artisan Bakery and the Sholakia Eid congregation were students from some renowned educational institutions. More shockingly, the slain militants were highly educated and from wealthy families.