July 1, 2016, is a black day in the recent history of Bangladesh. It is a ghastly phase of brutality, cruelty and horrendous moments which Bangladesh did not witness in the recent past. Such inhuman gruesome murders were beyond one's imagination. How can people kill another without any rhyme or reason? It was beyond the wildest dream, but it happened.

Gulshan which was considered to be one of the safest zones in Dhaka was the target of a group of religious fundamentalists, who attacked the holy Artisan and were involved in nightlong grisly murders, playing Holi with blood. The diners who went there to spend quality time with their dear ones, did never harm anyone. But the terrorists who slayed them has turned July into a terrible horrifying month. For this gruesome killings the month is a black spot in the national calendar of Bangladesh for bringing in disrepute to the nation and to foreigners.

TS Eliot in his poem The Waste Land wrote : April is the cruellest month. So after the Holy Artisan attack it echoes in our ears as if July is the cruellest month.

This brutal attack turned out to be one of the biggest wake up call to fight against terrorism. None could dream of such a turmoil. Our apparent contentment was fragile, was proved by the Holy Artisan incident as it was smashed our misconception to pieces. We got the message that we are unsafe. Two days after this attack there was another attack at Sholakia on the day of Eid. Another terror attack.

Those who were involved in this gruesome attack all grew up in our society. They were English speaking, university educated youths who were all nattily dressed, belonging to rich families. It was wild nightmare that these youths renouncing their dreams, their aspirations would kill innocent men -- would slit throats or riddle bodies with bullets. But it turned true.

The truth that came up was that the killers were growing up amid us and we failed to identify them. As earlier there was pre-existing notion that those who hailed from poor families and were educated in Madrasahs, those youths could only step in this track. The unholy incident of Holy Artisan has clearly pointed out that the concept was faulty and the evil forces can not be kept confined within a specific boundary. The best universities which are known to be the centres of advanced knowledge have turned out to be the breeding grounds of terrorism. The mantra of violence has spread in every direction. Our highly educated youths are now chanting the mantra of violence and these things had been happening beyond our knowledge.

The society can not avoid its responsibility. Similarly, the university teachers too can not shun their responsibility. What about the parents? Can they also disown their responsibilities as the youths turned to assassin people.

The greatest tragedy is that some of the teachers had allegedly planted the seed of terror in these young minds. There are complaints that many of the teachers had been directly involved in triggering the violent act. Some of the teachers had turned out to be accomplices in terrorism. This is a grave concern. Out time is up, as we can no more stay safe -- Holy Artisan has given this signal.

We need to increase vigil in our homes and also outside. We need to plug the holes, where the snakes might be hiding. We have to go all out to spot the terror snakes hiding amid universities, colleges and madrasas, so that these snakes do not attack or spit venom at us. Our focus should be to address the causes which led to terrorism or fundamentalism.

We have to be cautious that the terrorists do not capture us. Bangladesh which was formed as a result of Liberation War should not be a heaven of terrorists. We all have to guard our dear Bangladesh against terrorism and fundamentalism. All have to play hand holding role from society, family to nation.

For every turmoil and damage the inattentive role of the good citizens are equally to be blamed along with conspirators, as the good hearts often fail to notice the ploys and tricky designs and try to evade their duty by not playing their role of whistle blower.

While we are in the vicious cycle and should guard our nation, our motherland, so that its existence is not at peril. So that incidents like that of Holy Artisan do not recur. For which we need to be on the guard and should remain enthusiastic so that we can control the youths who are going in the wrong track to bring them back to mainstream.

The wayward youths need to be groomed properly and their paths are to be blocked so that they do not slip in quagmire. The frustration into their lives need to be addressed and the problems of inequalities and injustice need to be taken care of.

We are living in the vicious cycle and for that should not endanger our motherland. We have to ensure that such incidents like Holy Artisan do not recur.

We need vigil and enthusiasm to stop the youths turning wayward. We have to stop injustice and inequalities and have to breed opportunities so that the youths do not slip.

Amid the horrors of death we need to infuse life and bring smile back.

BDST: 0242 HRS, JUL 01, 2017
MJF