Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed asserted that no “extremist” organisations are currently operating in the country.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday, the minister addressed concerns over the recent appearance of flags featuring Arabic script in Dhaka and other districts, which had prompted law enforcement activity.
The government is investigating those responsible for the displays, the home minister said earlier.
When asked whether the government had specific information about the individuals behind the flags, Salahuddin said the country is free of such (extremist) groups.
“We do not believe any extremist organisation or activity exists in Bangladesh,” Salahuddin said.
He added that some people, driven by hype, are trying to exploit religious sentiment through acts such as flag‑hoisting.
Salahuddin also commented on recent student protests demanding the resignation of the education minister, suggesting that some quarters were attempting to “fish in troubled waters” during the movement.
He said the government had taken the students’ demands seriously and provided solutions, but subsequent activities may be the work of groups trying to embarrass the government rather than the students themselves.
“Even if someone is behind this, we are at the forefront,” he added.
In parliament on Wednesday, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman declared that no extremist organisation would be allowed to rise in Bangladesh. He affirmed that the government will not tolerate any form of extremism or radicalism.
Tarique expressed confidence that the government would receive full cooperation from opposition parties and stressed that national unity would remain intact to prevent fascism from resurfacing and to ensure Bangladesh is not turned into a client state.
