Hasina failed to protect Hindu minorities in Bangladesh
Sheikh Hasina failed to protect Hindu minorities in Bangladesh because several incidents of vandalism on the minority communities have been happening in the country periodically. The extremist Islamic groups have been targeting the minority communities, especially the Hindus, attacking them and compelling them to leave the country since 1947. During the last decade, millions of Hindus have left Bangladesh and returned to India to get relief from Islamic extremists. The Islamic extremists are taking control of the lands, properties and business establishments of the Hindus.
The Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has promised to take immediate action in the case of vandalism in several Durga puja pandals including Cumilla. “The culprits must be punished in such a way that no one will dare to do so in the future,” she said. But, it may not be in reality, the statements of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh may be an eye-wash to the media and international community. According to past reports, very few cases have been registered into the police station, and no case could have proceeded into the court for proper justice because local political leaders ultimately forced the minority people to withdraw the case with mutual understanding.
There are several pandals that organize Durga Puja in neighbouring Bangladesh every year during the time of the Durga puja festival. Everyone use to get up in a festive atmosphere. Not only Hindus but also many people from the Muslim community take part in this festival. But, this year the miscreants changed the picture of that harmony. It was reported earlier that miscreants might be active in creating an atmosphere of violence in this year’s Durga puja. The administration was also active. But, still, some incidents happened.
Suddenly the atmosphere became heated in a purposeful way. Some posts on social media suddenly spread that the Holy Quran Sharif has been disrespected in one of the Durga Puja pandals. With this, the vandalism of the pandals began. Hajiganj in Chandpur, Banshkhali in Chittagong, Shibganj in Chapainawabganj and Pekua in Cox’s Bazar were also attacked.
Several pictures have also come out to show that the Durga idols have been smashed. Pictures of breaking those idols spread on social media. Four people, including a teenager, were killed in the clashes. Naturally, the atmosphere of harmony deteriorated and the situation became violent.
Later on the day of Navami, Sheikh Hasina attended the Durga Puja organized by the Metropolitan Public Pujo Committee at Dhakeswari Temple in the capital Dhaka. There he spoke of severe punishment for the guilty people.
In the words of PM Sheikh Hasina, “We are taking action on this incident. Appropriate steps are being taken in this regard from the very beginning. The culprits will be found wherever such incidents take place. We have done this in the past and we can do it. Appropriate punishment must be given to them. Punishment should be given in such a way that no one dares to do so in future. We wish you all the best.”
The Prime Minister also gave a separate message to the Hindus. In her words, “I urge you again, never think of yourself as a minority. We consider you as our relatives, not a minority. You are considered a citizen of this country. You live here with equal rights, you will enjoy equal rights. You will observe your religion and celebrate festivals with equal rights. That’s what we want.”
Several followers of traditional religions have been attacked in Pirganj, Rangpur, on charges of insulting religion and giving status on Facebook. There were also incidents of arson at this time. Local Islamic extremist groups tried to obstruct the traditional proceedings and rituals of the Hindu communities.
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