Wrestling with fanaticism

We have noted with consternation the last-minute cancellation of a women's wrestling competition, under the threat of a little known religious organization and an even less known individual. The excuse offered by the state minister suggests that he has scant respect for the level of comprehension and intelligence of the public.

It is sad but true that the authorities have once again capitulated under the threat of fanatics and bigots. This is not the first time the government has given in to the most preposterous and undemocratic demand by the religious obscurantist elements, related to women's sports in Bangladesh. On a previous occasion, a women's football match had to be called off because of fanatical threats.

We fail to see why the government countenances the bigots' attempt to mix up sports with politics in the same way that they mix up politics with religion. How does a perfectly recognized sports like wrestling, participated by women, in a spirit of true sportsmanship and following the norms of decency under international rules, appear obscene and vulgar to some?

When will the authorities realize that caving into such threats only helps to give credence to the ultra-orthodox elements.

We strongly feel that the authorities, instead of canceling a sports event like women's wrestling for fear of the fanatics, should have actually arrested the person or persons who had made the threat and committed them to the process of law.

-- The Daily Star, Dhaka