Dhaka: On Tuesday, Chief Advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus, stated that upholding freedom of speech and human rights is still one of his top priorities. Since Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister on August 5, the country’s minority communities—Hindus in particular—have been subjected to horrific acts of violence and vandalism.
“Everyone has equal rights in the country. There is no discrimination between us. Please help, be patient and judge us later on what we did and what we didn’t. If we fail, then criticise,” Yunus was quoted as saying by the local media during his visit to the Dhakeswari National Temple on Tuesday, which has been one of the most important centres of worship for the Hindu people in the area for more than 800 years.
Since Hasina’s departure for India last week, radicals have reportedly targeted hundreds of Hindu houses, places of commerce, and even temples, resulting in injuries.
“In our democratic spirit, we should not be seen as Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists, but as human beings. We must assert our rights. At the root of all problems lies the weakness of institutional arrangements. That is why such problems arise. Institutional systems need to be reformed,” said Yunus in the presence of Bangladesh Puja Celebration Parishad President Vasudev Dhar and General Secretary Santosh Sharma.
Asif Nazrul and A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, the interim government’s legal and religious affairs advisors, also accompanied Yunus to the temple.
On Monday, Hossain condemned the attack on minorities and assured that the current establishment believes in communal harmony.
In a media briefing that took place at the Secretariat, Hossain asserted that the attacks on minority communities were done by “miscreants” and the interim government would take action against them.
He also mentioned that a list of destroyed houses and temples is being prepared, and financial assistance will be given to the victims.
The continuing violence is a massive challenge for the interim government, which was sworn in on August 8 under the leadership of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus.
On Saturday, tens of thousands of Hindus converged in the heart of Chittagong, holding a massive protest rally against the ongoing attacks on the community. Their unity and determination were palpable as they demanded safety and equal rights as citizens of the country.
The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad had also sent an ‘open letter’ to Yunus, expressing “profound sorrow and concern” over a particular group’s “unprecedented violence” against the minorities.
“We seek protection because our lives are in a disastrous state. We are staying up at night guarding our homes and religious places. I have never seen such incidents in my life. We demand that the government restore communal harmony in the country,” Nirmal Rosario, the unity council’s President, was quoted as saying by ‘The Daily Star’ newspaper.
The letter mentioned that the communal violence, which began immediately after Hasina left Dhaka, has caused “widespread fear, anxiety, and uncertainty” among the minorities in Bangladesh.
“According to organisational details and media reports, thousands of Hindu families have become destitute, and many temples have been attacked and burned. Numerous women have faced assaults, and there have been murders in several places. Other minorities have also suffered during this period,” it reported.
Similarly, the Bangladesh Hindu Jagran Mancha has also organised processions and rallies to protest against the recent vandalism, arson, looting, and attacks on the Hindu community across the country.
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–IANS
