Farooki questions ‘double standard’ over right-wing extremism in Bangladesh

Filmmaker Mostofa Sarwar Farooki has questioned what he described as a "double standard" in holding governments responsible for right-wing extremism in Bangladesh, arguing that similar incidents during the previous Awami League government were often treated differently.

In a post on his verified Facebook page, Farooki referred to reactions surrounding a recent writ petition seeking a ban on romantic dramas, saying some critics had blamed the development on the political changes brought about by the July uprising and the supposed rise of Islamists.

Farooki questioned when Islamists had actually come to power and accused sections of the media of trying to create a narrative that Bangladesh was culturally and socially better off under the previous government.

He pointed to the killings of bloggers, militant attacks, campaigns against sculptures, attacks on cultural events, vandalism of Baul musicians’ instruments, the shutting down of traditional jatra performances and attacks on minorities during the previous government.

Farooki argued that such incidents were then frequently attributed to fundamentalist groups rather than treated as evidence of government responsibility.

“What exactly is the science behind this?” he asked, questioning why right-wing extremism between 2008 and 2023 was not similarly blamed on the government while incidents under the interim government or a BNP administration were being attributed directly to those governments.

Farooki said both Bengali nationalist extremism and extremism carried out in the name of religion remained challenges for Bangladesh and should be confronted through “social contestation and dialogue.”

“We will stumble and then get back on our feet. But fascism and servitude? Big no!” he wrote.

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