Minorities in Bangladesh: unfortunate victim of Awami League’s political vengeance

Bangladesh is a country which is renowned for its yearlong tradition of religious harmony where people of all faiths and religion have been living with the spirit of co-existence. People of this country are so much tolerant that they even are not inclined to term any section as minority. However, the minorities, comprising the Hindu, Buddhist and Christian people are living here in peace and enjoying the facilities as a citizen which had been ensured by the constitution. 
But there is another regrettable part. These minority sections have become the worst victim always by a party which is being defined by itself as a pro-liberation force. The minorities always extended their support for Awami League, the ruling party of Bangladesh. But unfortunately, Awami League used this section in all occasions just to attain its political interest. 
Prior and after of all national election of this country, this unfortunate people became the victim of Awami League’s vindictive politics. Awami League used them as tram card to subdue its opponents, particularly the Islamist sections. 
But those ill-efforts of Awami League have been exposed before the people as many media even the pro-government media are publishing one after one news implicating the ruling party men with these heinous incident of attack on minorities. Though the ruling ministers and MPs are accusing Jamaat-e-Islami and Islami Chhatra Shibir of attacking minorities, but the deputy commissions in their written reports to the government clearly disclosed that the local Awami League leaders are mostly involved with these incidents. The chairman of the National Human Rights Commission Dr. Mizanur Rahman Khan also termed the blaming strategy of Awami League as a ‘government sponsored story’. Concerned quarters are also criticizing the government as they failed to ensure the safety and security of the minorities. The reluctance of the government to identify and prosecute the miscreants of the incidents is also proving their involvement. Subrata Chowdhury, a leader of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity council clearly stated while giving an interview with BBC Bangla that not the Jamaat-Shibir men rather the ruling party cadres are mostly involved with the incidents of minority attack. 
The direct involvements of the ruling party men in the minority attack incident have been published in media recently. We are giving a glimpse of it in the next section: 
• Awami League and Jubo League cadres had carried attack on the Hindu temple in Krishnopur Upazila of Noakhali. In connection with the incident, the local Puja committee (Hindu people’s prayer program arrangement committee) filed case with the local police station against 10 ruling party cadres. 

• Awami League leaders and activists had attacked the Hindu people’s houses in Tangail district. Following the incident, a writ petition was filed by the victims in the High Court seeking immediate remedy. Consequently, the High Court directed the authorities concern to arrest the involved Awami League leaders and workers. 

• Jubo League cadres were arrested while carrying attack and vandalism upon the Hindu communities in Sathia under Pabna district. 

• A Jubo League leader was detained while attacking on the Shahid Minar (a monument to the Language Movement) in Bogra district. 

• 3 Chhatra League cadres had been arrested while attacking the house of Tribunal-1 justice Jahangir Hossen in his native village. 

• Several Jubo League workers had been captured while throwing cocktail (crude bomb) towards an army vehicle in Feni district. 

• Another Jubo League activist was caught while stealing an idol from a religious temple of the minorities in Mymensingh. 

• One Jubo League activist was arrested in Satkhira while setting fire to the houses of minorities. A mobile court sentenced him to imprisonment for one year. 

• In Magura District, 3 members of Jubo League were arrested by the police while throwing petrol bombs on a police van. 

• The Principal of Shujabad Primary School of Shajahanpur Upazilla in Bogra district was arrested while setting fire to his own school. 

• Awami League men carried inhuman violence and anarchy upon the minority community in Avoynagar of Jessore district. Mr. Ranjit Kumar Roy, the winning candidate of the voter less election of 5th January stated in a recent interview that, the cadres of his opponent candidate and local Awami League leader Sheikh Abdul Wahab had carried the attack on minorities. But surprisingly, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Awami League’s General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam and Education Minister declared just after the incident and without any investigation that, Jamaat-Shibir men had carried the misdeeds. Several dailies have already published their statement as well. 

• During the tenure of this government, Jubo League men carried attack on the Buddhist people and their establishment in Ramu of Cox’s Bazar district. 

We are urging the world communities to raise their voice against the vindictive politics of Awami League and to stop propaganda against the Islamist quarters. We would like to draw attention of the concerned authorities to ensure safety and security of the minority communities. They are not minorities; they are our fellow brothers and sisters. It is our moral obligation and duty to protect the dignity and honor of these people. 


Source: http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1074228

Ruling Party activists attack on Minorities and Temple in Satkhira, Najirpur and Sonatala

A businessman, Mr. Asim, (picture Above) from minority hindu community in Satkhira is terribly injured by a group of Government supported terrorists for not agree to give Levy according to their demand.  At the same time they smashed statues(religious sculpture) of the store and took away 2,00000 Bd Taka cash with them.  Centering this, the residents have encompassed the local Police station.  In Najirpur of Pirojpur some of the Awami terrorists are being accused of smashing temples and statues, plundering and cutting of the trees belongs to temples.  On the other side, yesterday the terrorists have smashed 8 statues in Gadachaitanyapur, Sonatala, Bogra.

The News sent by the reporters:
In Satkhira  a Hindu businessman is injured:

A minor businessman in Satkhira is terribly injured by a group of Government supported terrorists for not contributing as per their demand.  At the same time they smashed statues of the store and took away TK of two lac cash with them.

This incident took place in the store of Ashim shadhu kha, the owner of Shadhu Kha Traders on Saturday night at 10 o clocks in the town’s old Satkhira Bazar. The leading of the area’s ‘Chhattraleague’ and ‘Yubaleague’ leader Sayeed, Akram, Ahsan and Shohag led to this attack.  The businessmen of the market raised demonstration and grievances closing their stores as opposition to this. They fear more attacks alike.

It had been found that on Saturday at 10 am while the owner of Shadhu Kha Trader, Ashim Shadhu Kha(seller of agricultural materials) was repaying money to the lenderssome marked terrorists of  chattraleague and yubaleague entered into the store.  At that time they destroyed the store and while getting away after taking TK two lac by threatening the owner with some native arms Ujjal Shadhu, brother of Ashim Shadhu protested which caused his injury by those terrorists.  Being fatally injured Ujjal is now hospitalized in Satkhira central hospital.

This occurrence caused counterblast in the area.  The case is not filed by police for the reason that the terrorists are of one of the Government parties.  The businessmen are subjected to strike on Shahid Abdur razzak Park. Later they encompassed the jail.  Moreover at noon a group of Hindu students brought up some programs regarding this at Satkhira New Market Area.  The orators of the program demanded exemplary punishment of the accused.

On the other side, complaint came over that Oshim shadhu, elder brother of Ujjal Shadhu was not allowed to file a case. As a protest to this, yesterday morning a group of Business Committee gathered together at Abdur Razzak Park to demonstrate.  The orators said that if the accused are not arrested by evening they would provide more strict programs.  Later when the OC assured about the process of taking the case at the time of encompassment they suspended their programs.
 

In Najirpur the awami terrorists have destroyed Temple:

In Pirojour’s Najipur some Awami terrorists are accused of  destroying temple, statues,plundering and cutting the trees of the temple. This incident took place in Sachia village of Malikhali union.  It had been known from the temple authority that last Saturday Malikhali School authority arranged a two days long annual sports and cultural function.  At the evening of the closing day of the function in presence of some local singers a musical program held.  As the areas are Hindu colonized the women came to the function. In presence of women, the awami yubaleague and chattraleague lost their mind and started teasing women.  At that time the women complaint to the committee and the volunteer group of the committee tried to push them out of the function which caused misrule. They felt insulted and got out of there saying some offensive words.

Later when the function came to an end at 10 pm with the leading of awami leaders more than hundred forces led an attack to the temple. At that time they also destroyed the statue of Hindu goddess and plundered.  Being more passionate they took some trees cutting down around the temple.  

Being frantic when the hindus went to the administration the president of the union Shahjahan Sheikh assured them to provide compensation.  They also said of a social meeting tomorrow.  The president and general secretary of the temple Beerendranath Majumdar said that the amount of loss is more than lac.
 

Knowing this AKM Ahsanaul Tayeeb Zakir president and chairman of BNP, Bogra visited the place and requested the police administration for exemplary punishment of the accused. Moreover the deputy super Mohammad Nazir Ahmed and the executive officer Uttam Kumar visited the place. They assured a just investigation and necessary lawful steps to the incident.

Original News Source: http://www.amardeshonline.com/pages/details/2013/04/01/194565#.UVseLFdOKOG

Translation Source: http://www.kaagoj.com/details?id=134

Attacks on minorities rise in Bangladesh

Attacks on Bangladesh’s ethnic and religious minorities has been on the rise for many years. On 5 March, the human rights group Odhikar said it was “extremely concerned over the acts of burning down homes and temples belonging to the Hindu community.” We list here at least twelve incidents of attacks against Hindus that have taken place during 2012.

INCIDENT ONE: February 21, 2012 – Morelganj, Bagerhat

A group of members from the ruling Awami League party, have looted the house of Goutam Kumar Mridha of Baharbula village of Bangram union at the Morelganj Upazila of Bagherhat district. Goutam Kumar is son of Khetra Moni Mridha. The victims have alleged that they could not go to the police station to file the case as Police were in favour of the attackers, since they were members the ruling party. ’.
Daily Dinkal, February 23, 2012

INCIDENT TWO: February 24, 2012 – Daspara of Kanchan municipality of the Upazila

A group of Awami League activists have carried brutal attacks on minority communities in Rupganj even after collecting the ransom they demanded from them. They also vandalized houses and tried to set fire on it.

The members of the minority community alleged, a leader of the ruling party Iqbal Hossen had been trying to appropriate, a piece of land off them.

The incident occurred at Daspara of Kanchan municipality of the Upazila.
Daily Dinkal, February 24 , 2012

INCIDENT THREE: February 27, 2012 - Vanga, Faridpur District 

A general diary (GD) has been filed at Vanga Police Station of Faridpur district. Family members of murdered journalist Goutam Das have filed the report. The allegations of general diary revealed that Awami League leaders, the ruling party leader and chairman of Bhanga Municipal council Sharifuzzaman, have appropriated land of the deceased Hindu journalist and over night built a 90ft long tin-structure on the land, hastily puting up signs ‘Awami League Office- Bhanga’ and ‘Bangabandhu Club – Bhanga’ on either side of the structure.

Daily Samakal and Daily Prothom Alo; February 27, 2012 

INCIDENT FOUR: May 11, 2012 Gopalganj District

A ruling party Awami League leader has occupied the land of hermit Mahatma Chandra Nath Basu at Ramdia of Kashiani upazila at Gopalganj district. On 11 May, Friday; General Secretary of Jubo League of Kashiani Upazila Amiruzzaman and his close ally Harunur Rashid Mollah invaded the place of worship, turning it immediately into a makeshift house.

The local Hindu community could not file reports at the police station as the occupiers belonged to the ruling Awami League party.
Daily Dinka, May 12, 2012 

INCIDENT FIVE: March 9, 2012- Kuakata

Ruling party student cadres have carried attack in a market in Kuakata. The market belonged to the women of Rakhain minority community.

A number of 30-35 ruling party cadres carried out the attack led by President of the Municipal Chattra League, Mujibur. They also two female Rakhain traders in the market Mong Chan and U Chan. The injured alleged that the attackers looted around eight hundred thousand taka from their shops.
Daily Naya Diganta, March 11; 2012

INCIDENT SIX: April 12, 2012 -Ramna Temple, Dhaka

Chattra League leaders of Jagannath Hall of Dhaka University carried attack at Ramna Temple. They went berserk at the temple, vandalized the goods and idols of the temple and carried looting. They also beat up the caretaker of the temple Bipul Roy and his wife Ratna Roy. They also looted two hundred thousand taka which was donated to the temple by worshippers.
Daily Amader Shomoy; April 12, 2012

INCIDENT SEVEN: April 19, 2012 – Dakop Thana of Khulna District

A ruling party Parliamentarian and President of Awami League of Dakop Thana of Khulna district had foiled Shiva Puja, a century old religious tradition of the Hindu believers. The lawmaker Noni Gopal Mandal also belongs to the same religion.

No report of the case could be filed at the police station as the police refused to register the incident as a lawmaker himself was involved in the case.

Daily Dinkal, April 20, 2012

INCIDENT EIGHT: June 20, 2012 – Koyra Upazila of Khulna District

A group of ruling party leaders and activists have carried out attacks on a couple of Hindu families at Gharial village of Dokkhin Bedkashi Union at Koyra Upazila of Khulna district. General Secretary of Jubo League Aser Ali and his loyalists carried the attack on the minority community houses and looting valuables from their houses.
Daily Naya Diganta; June 23, 2012

INCIDENT NINE: July 11, 2012 –Patuakhali District

Allegations have been raised against a ruling party leader at Golachipa Thana of Patuakhali district of occupying lands of minority families and assaulting the family members. The victims informed that they could not file case at the police station as the ruling party leaders had maintained ‘good terms’ with the police.
Daily Dinkal, July 11, 2012

INCIDENT TEN: July 30 ,2012 – Pabna

A local Awami League leader Chunnu Mia at Pabna had forcefully occupied land of a Sanjay Biswas. Sanjay Biswas is a Christian.
Kaler Kantha, July 30, 2012

INCIDENT ELEVEN: August 10, 2012 – Sharishabari of Jamalpur

A group of cadres of ruling party lawmaker Dr. Murad Hasan carried attack on some Hindu believers at Sharishabari of Jamalpur. At least three Hindu men were injured in the attack.
Daily Amar Desh; August 12, 2012

INCIDENT TWELVE: February 21, 2013 – Noakhali

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Begumganj circle Mahbub Alam Khan said attacks were carried out from that procession and the Hindu temples at Rajganj Bazar, Thakur Barhi and Bainnabarhi areas were vandalised. Activists of Jamaat-e-Islami on Thursday attacked temples and houses of the Hindus at Noakhali’s Begumganj.
BDNews24.com, 28 February, Dhaka Daily Star

NB:- The Jamaat has denied this incident.

INCIDENT THIRTEEN: September 08, 2012 – Barishal

On Saturday evening, the incident occurred at Baptist Mission Road. Khan Sons, a leading industrial group of the country, hoisted new territorial wall on the Church grounds. Influential Awami League leader and Commissioner of the area Shafiqul Alam Gulzar and hundreds of ruling party men helped the industrial group’s employees, to complete the occupation.
Daily Jugantor, September 10, 2012; and Daily Prothom Alo, September 11, 2012

Awami League Men attacking on minorities in planned way: BNP

Date: Wednesday, 8 January,2004

Opposition BNP on wednesday alleged that the ruling party men are carrying out attacks on the minority communities at different parts of the country in a planned way to divert people's attention from the 'staged-managed, voter-less election' to other direction. In a statement, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said, ''In the face of Widespread criticism at home and abroad and by different countries and institutions, planned attacks are been made Hindus and other minorities across the country, including Jessore, Rangpur, Thakurgaon and Dinajpur, to divert people's attention from the January 5 Stage-Managed election to other direction.''

News Source: http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2014/01/08/12885

BNP blames AL men for attacks

Date: Thursday, January 09, 2014

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia last night claimed that the BNP-Jamaat had no relation with the post polls attacks on the religious minorities.
She also rejected outright the prime minister's claim that the opposition men were responsible for the attacks.
The BNP chief was exchanging views with a delegation of pro-BNP journalists, teachers and lawyers at her Gulshan residence around 9:30pm.
Ruhul Amin Gazi, convener of the Peshajibi Shamannay Parishad, led the 12-member team.
“The opposition didn't contest the January 5 elections. Therefore, it is out of question that opposition activists attacked the minorities for going to polling centres. We've no conflict with the religious minorities. It's the government and the ruling party men who attacked the religious minorities to blame it on the BNP and Jamaat,” Gazi told The Daily Star, quoting Khaleda as saying.
“It doesn't matter what the government is saying about the January 5 farcical elections. The whole world has observed how farcical the polls were. They [government] even failed to bring the ruling party men to the polling centres,” added Gazi quoting Khaleda.
Khaleda told the delegation that her party as well as the 18-party alliance will continue pressing for national polls under a non-party administration.
BNP BLAMES AL
The BNP yesterday complained that activists of the ruling Awami League had led premeditated attacks on the Hindus in Jessore, Thakurgaon, Dinajpur and some other parts of the country to divert people's attention from the January 5 farcical polls.
In a statement, BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, on behalf of party chief Khaleda Zia, asked the members of the 18-party combine and the people to be alert to ensure security of religious minorities and take necessary steps in this regard.
Earlier in a press briefing, BNP standing committee member Mahbubur Rahman claimed that the ongoing movement of the BNP-led opposition alliance was “democratic and peaceful”.
“Vested quarters are active to push an anti-people agenda. We all should remain vigilant and careful to this end,” Mahbub told newsmen at his Banani residence.
He said BNP demanded the government and law enforcers take prompt action against the real perpetrators of the attacks that destroyed the country's historic tradition of religious harmony.

Source: http://www.thedailystar.net/bnp-blames-al-men-for-attacks-6013