On 9th August, the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad released a report detailing 205 instances of attacks on minority community members especially Hindus in the country’s 52 districts following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s departure on 5th August, reported The Daily Star. The council made the statement in an open letter to Nobel laureate Economist Muhammad Yunus, who took the oath of office as the interim government’s chief adviser on 8th August. The letter was unveiled at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) Nasrul Hamid Auditorium.
“We have preliminarily learned that at least 205 incidents of minority persecution have occurred in 52 districts so far. We seek protection because our lives are in a disastrous state. We are staying up at night guarding our homes and temples. I have never seen such incidents in my life. We demand that the government restore communal harmony in the country,” conveyed Nirmal Rosario, the organisation’s president.
The open letter welcomed Yunus as the head of a new era ushered in by the significant student and public movement seeking reform and an egalitarian society. Nevertheless, the triumph was tarnished by a specific group’s extraordinary brutality against minorities, according to the organization which expressed deep sadness and concern over the persecution of minorities. Many Hindu temples have been set on fire and thousands of families have gone without food, per media accounts and information collected by the organisation.
Murders have occurred in multiple locations, and many women have been victims of assault. During this time, other minorities have also endured suffering. Minorities in Bangladesh are experiencing extreme dread, anxiety and uncertainty as a result of the ongoing communal violence that began on the 5th of August. The letter further stated that this turmoil has drawn international condemnation. The letter stressed, “We demand an immediate end to this situation.”
Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Basudev Dhar and Oikya Parishad General Secretary Rana Dasgupta both signed the letter. The omission of religious scriptures other than the Quran from the swearing-in ceremony of the interim administration drew criticism.
“The exclusion of readings from other religious texts contradicts our constitution, the spirit of the Liberation War, and anti-discrimination values. We hope that readings from all major religious texts will be included in future state functions. One does not leave their home, temple, or Tulsi tree unless compelled. Many Hindu community members are now taking refuge in others’ homes. I, too, am forced to stay at a friend’s house,” voiced Council Presidium member Kajal Devnath.
He added, “Those involved in persecuting minorities must be brought to justice. If a minority individual is attacked for political reasons, it is still unacceptable. Anyone who commits a crime should be judged, but burning homes and looting will not lead to justice.” Subrata Choudhury, another member of the praesidium pointed out, “We have heard many talk about ending minority persecution, but we have not seen any effective measures. Our national heritage and assets are being destroyed, which is unacceptable to us.” Praesidium members Ranjan Karmakar and Basudev Dhar were also present, as was Professor Nimchand Bhoumik, one of the organization’s presidents.
