Different organisations continue to condemn the spate of attacks on religious minorities and demand exemplary punishment of the perpetrators who recently swooped on the community, especially the Hindus, and damaged their houses and properties. On Saturday, they held human chains and rallies to express their exasperation towards such atrocious acts holding Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing, Islami Chhatra Shibir, responsible for the attacks. As part of countrywide protests, Ganajagaran Mancha led a two-day road march that yesterday reached Malopara at Abhoynagar in Jessore, where several Hindu families came under attacks before and after the January 5 general elections.
The organisation held a rally yesterday and urged the people to form countrywide ‘Resistance Committee’ against the communal attacks.
Held at the Chapatala Mandir premises the rally was attended by hundreds of people belonging to various communities to express their denunciation.
Emran H Sarkar, spokesperson of the Mancha said, “Only programmes or protests are not enough to stop the attacks on minorities. The young generation and the conscious citizen of the country should form resistance committees where there is an apprehension of attacks and where the attacks have already been orchestrated.”
“Protect your respective areas. Our movement will continue until the end of the terror attacks,” he added.
The Mancha at the rally also demanded ban on the communal political parties like the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.
“Don’t be frustrated or afraid of. On our way from Dhaka we held several street rallies. We have seen the support of people. Most of the country’s people are with us,” he said.
Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Oikya Pariad held a rally in front of the Central Shaheed Minar in Dhaka where Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta and eminent economist Debapriya Bhattacharia made remarks denouncing such heinous attacks on minorities. A procession, brought out by the Parishad, paraded different city streets.
Nagarik Oikya convenor Mahmudur Rahman Manna also demanded tough action by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina against the criminals involved in communal violence even if they are found affiliated to the ruling party.
Some other organisations like Siva Shakkti Bangladesh, Bangladesh Sanatan Dhormiyo Parishad and Bangladesh Sanatan Dhormiyo Sammilita Parishad also held human chain in front of the Jatiya Press Club to protest the actions against minorities.
Condemning the attack, the teachers, students and employees of Jahangirnagar University (JU) under the banner of ‘Nationalist Teachers-Staffs Forum’ held a human chain in front of the Shaheed Minar in the campus protesting the attacks on minorities and held Awami League responsible for the acts.
Prof Dr Sharif Uddin, General Secretary of JU Teachers’ Association (JUTA), said despite the deployment of joint forces across the country, such attacks have been committed, but they could not arrest anyone responsible for the misdeed.
He also demanded judicial investigation to bring the attackers to book.
Satkhira Zila Samprodayik Sampriti Rakka Committee formed a human chain at the Shahid SM Alauddin Chattar protesting the attacks on the Hindu minorities in the district and demanded ban on the politics of Jamaat-Shibir.
They also demanded immediate arrest of the perpetrators for the attacks on the houses and business establishments, arson and looting.
Meanwhile, Muktijodha-Janata and Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parisad also held separate programmes raising their voice against attacks on minorities.
The Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Oikya Parishad of Jhenidah unit brought out a procession in the town protesting the attacks on Hindu community in different areas recently.
The procession started from Jhenidah’s main Puja Mandir and ended at the Post Office premises after parading several streets of the town.
Over 500 people participated in the procession with black flags, protesting the attacks and demanding exemplary punishment of the perpetrators.
Khulna Union of Journalists and Khulna Press Club held a human chain protesting the attacks on minorities in different parts of the country, with president of Khulan Press Club Faruk Ahmed in the chair.
The speakers said the diabolical attacks on the minorities have overshadowed atrocities committed during the 1971. Such attacks on the houses and lives cannot be committed in a civilised country, they added.
In Magura, district Hindu, Buddhist, Christian Oikya Parishad and Hindu Mahajote held processions and human chains while Khelaghar formed a human chain with the participation of its leaders and children carrying posters in front of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka condemning protesting the attacks on the minorities.
They expressed their deep concern and demanded exemplary punishment of those involved in the heinous attacks.
Members of the Acharya Bibekanondo Goshami International Sanatorium observed a token hunger strike from 10 am to 3 pm at the Jatiya Press Club premises to protest the recent attacks on the minorities
They also demanded immediate steps of the government to stop arson attack, rape and vandalism on the minority community.
Babul Krishna Hawladar, member secretary of the Sanatorium said when they pray to God, they pray not only for Hindu community but also for all mankind. They always stop the microphone of ‘Siva Temple’ whenever they hear the Muslims calling for prayer. Hindu community is peace loving people and they believe in inter-religious harmony.”
Quoting from the holy Quran, freedom fighter and singer of ‘Purbo Digonte Surjo Utheche Rokto lal Rokto Lal’ Monoronjan Ghosal said, “Killing an innocent man is like killing the whole mankind. So those who are attacking minorities are not Muslims.”
The Ganajagaran Mancha in Chittagong brought out a torch procession protesting the attacks on the minorities.
Other organizations like Birendro Smrity Sangsad, and Bangladesh Minority Rights Forum formed human chain in front of the Shahbagh with a demand to save the minorities.
They have demanded fair investigation of incidents and punishment for the accused. They also asked for compensating the affected people and protection of the minority people.
Courtesy of The Independent
