Dhaka: Describing India as Bangladesh’s ‘best neighbour’ and acknowledging its significant role in the country’s independence, Abul Fayez Muhammad Khalid Hossain, the newly appointed Advisor for Religious Affairs in the interim government, reassured on Thursday that ‘work has begun’to take strict action against the perpetrators of violence and vandalism against minority communities, particularly Hindus, since Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as Prime Minister on August 5.
“India is our neighbour, and we want to maintain peace and tranquillity in our country with its goodwill,” Hossain told IANS in an exclusive interview, even as the interim government headed by Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus continues to receive massive flak from all corners for failing to provide security to the minorities, majorly Hindus. Excerpts:
IANS: Horrendous acts of violence have been committed against the Hindu community in Bangladesh since August 5. What is your ministry and the interim government doing to control the situation and punish the guilty?
AFM Khalid Hossain: Some criminals are trying to take advantage of the anti-discrimination student movement by attacking the houses of minorities. The Religious Ministry has already set up a hotline number for the victims of such attacks. Those involved in these heinous attacks on places of worship are criminals, and strict action will be taken against them.
We will announce from the Ministry of Justice that an inquiry committee will be set up. We have directed the district Deputy Commissioners to send us detailed reports on incidents of vandalism, attacks, and persecution of minorities as early as possible.
We got our country back after great efforts, and people from all religions sacrificed and shed their blood in the movement during Bangladesh’s liberation. We cannot let it go to waste. We are a secular country, and we must nurture this spirit and ensure communal harmony in Bangladesh.
We are taking full measures, and there is no communal violence now, although there could be some isolated incidents. Our government is careful to retain communal harmony in the country. We have also directed the Imams of mosques to discuss the riots against non-Muslims and to push for preserving their places of worship. They have been told to give sermons and motivational speeches. The work has already begun.
Students are also guarding the places of worship. I saw this myself while visiting the Dhakeshwari Mandir earlier this week. We are ready to support our minorities so that they live peacefully in Bangladesh. Our Chief Advisor also visited the Dhakeshwari Mandir and spoke to religious leaders.
Our country is non-communal, and everyone has a right to follow and preach various religions – the rights of Hindus, Muslims, and Christians are equal. There is no religious discrimination. Some miscreants are indulging in vandalism of places of worship. We are ready to fight against all such people.
IANS: What have the investigations revealed so far? Who are the people behind this continuing violence against the minorities?
AFM Khalid Hossain: We are investigating the matter. We have issued letters to various DCs asking them to send detailed reports on attacks and vandalism.
IANS: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed his concerns over the ongoing violence in Bangladesh. How does the interim government plan to maintain a steady relationship with India?
AFM Khalid Hossain: Prime Minister Modi felicitated the interim government. India is our neighbouring country, and we want to maintain peace and tranquillity in our country with the goodwill of India. India is our best neighbour, which helped us immensely during our liberation war. We want to grow relations between the two countries.
IANS: What is your take on former PM Sheikh Hasina’s first statement after leaving Dhaka, as she also expressed deep concerns over what is currently happening in Bangladesh?
AFM Khalid Hossain: Our Foreign Minister has already said that former PM Hasina’s statement reflects negative intent and will only spoil relations between India and Bangladesh.
IANS: Do you see any foreign influence in the events in Bangladesh over the past many weeks?
AFM Khalid Hossain: No, it was purely a student movement, and there was no foreign intervention. It was a student uprising against the former government.
IANS: Hindu organisations in Bangladesh have submitted various demands, including full security for the upcoming festival season. Has the interim government given any assurance to them?
AFM Khalid Hossain: Our Chief Advisor, Muhammad Yunus, has spoken to the leaders of the Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist communities and assured them that we are taking measures to secure the temples, businesses, and houses of the minority communities. We have had a meeting and are ready to help the affected people.
IANS: Minorities in Bangladesh, including Hindus, fear for their lives right now. They are even being threatened to leave the country. Do you think that Bangladesh’s image has been badly dented?
AFM Khalid Hossain: Pujas and Rozas have been held together in Bangladesh for a long time. It was only a political movement, not a religious one. We have said that we are ready to help the minorities.
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