Maj Gen (retd) Abdur Rashid, Security Analyst : Bangladesh is predominantly a Sunni Muslim country. That is why all take it for granted that the country is a fertile breeding ground for militancy. Against this backdrop, one can brand the whole country as a militant state like Pakistan and Afghanistan when one can carry out militant activities.
Moreover, efforts to this end were made following the militant attack at Holey Artisan Bakery. However, Bangladesh has successfully confronted militancy and overcome the situation. If any country of the world can fight militancy, then it is Bangladesh, which will top the list. Militancy has taken root in many countries of the world but very few of them could face the threat.
Bangladesh has evidently been able to combat militancy. Social awareness is one of the reasons behind the feat. The militants here do not have the edge, as the people of the country do not like militancy and violence. How will the militants carry out their activities without backing from some quarters?
The people of Bangladesh do not subscribe to militancy. As result, the law enforcing agencies of Bangladesh have been able to weaken the militants following the attack of Holey Artisan Bakery.
Bangladesh will not be able to get rid of militancy until and unless the militant ideology and political Islam remain as an agenda of politics. Wiping the root of militancy is hardly possible if political Islam cannot be severed from politics.
It is the political Islam, which is the agenda, or manifesto of many a political party in the country. The political parties are in favour of using political Islam as a political right. Therefore, each political party should refrain from using political Islam. We can root out militant ideology this way.

Based on an interview by Ashiq Rahman, translated by Hossen Sohel