Eminent citizens on Thursday strongly condemned attacks on Hindus across the country and demanded a judicial inquiry to bring the perpetrators to trial. Such an effort would end the culture of impunity, they emphasised. The state has failed to protect the minorities’ rights and ensure the security of their lives and properties, they pointed out, adding that new laws can be formulated, if necessary, to try the attackers under special tribunal(s).
They also underscored the need for citizens to assume responsibility in this regard and to make changes in the text-books to impart education on non-communal issues so that social ties can be strengthened.
These observations were made at a roundtable on “Stand against Terrorism and Violence on Religious Minorities: Role of the State and the Citizen”, organised by the Jagannath Hall Alumni Association, University of Dhaka, at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city.
Senior Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta said attacks on minorities are recurring because of the culture of impunity and so the perpetrators have to be brought under special trial.
“The attacks on the minorities are tantamount to terrorist acts. Such attacks are repeatedly occurring and have peaked due to the culture of impunity. The perpetrators have to be brought under special trial. If necessary, new laws can be formulated in this regard,” he stated.
He also wanted pre-emptive measures to be taken in vulnerable areas where the minorities could come under attack when the verdicts in the cases against the war criminals are delivered.
Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof. Arefin Siddique said it is the responsibility of the state and the law enforcement personnel to resist violence against minorities.
“The state has to ensure the security of lives and properties of the minorities irrespective of caste, creed and colour, as the country’s Constitution does not discriminate against any person,” he said. “Those who are repeatedly attacking minorities have to be identified immediately and awarded exemplary punishment,” he said.
“Bangladesh is a country of different religions. We have been living in coexistence for centuries. Our blood is the same. There cannot be any poison of communalism in our society,” he observed.
Prof. Zafar Iqbal said the first work of all is to ensure the security of the minorities so that they can sleep peacefully at night.
“The overwhelming majority of the population has not been taught that the minorities are also human beings like Muslims. There are many good things in human beings and it can be used for the welfare of others,” he added.
Former adviser to the caretaker government, Sultana Kamal, said the state has to protect the rights and ensure the security of the lives and properties of the minorities as all people are subjects of the state. “It is the responsibility of the government as well as the citizens to work to resist violence against the minorities. We have to bring back the non-communal spirit in the education system and culture,” she said.
“Greed for the lands and properties of the minorities is the prime cause for such attacks,” she said, and suggested that a task force should be formed for trying the perpetrators.
Eminent journalist Kamal Lohani said: “Laws alone are not enough to stop violence against minorities. Social resistance is necessary.”
Prof. Monjurul Islam said: “Those who are running the state have to be cordial towards the minorities. A permanent judicial commission can be formed to try the perpetrators, whatever identities they may have.”
Prof. Mesbah Kamal demanded a ban on the politics of the Jamaat-Shibir and other religion-based political parties to end the ongoing communal violence.
Courtesy of The Independent
