Dhaka: In Bangladesh, minorities including Hindus are constantly being made victims of violence, their houses are being set on fire. The honor of Hindu sisters and daughters is being looted. Murders are happening. Minorities are having to go through every limit of oppression. In such a situation, Transparency International Bangladesh has termed the attacks on religious minorities as “against the basic spirit” of the student movement. It also called on the authorities on Wednesday to ensure the safety of government and minority community property in the violence-hit country.
Let us tell you that after Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from her post and then left the country, the army took control. After which President Mohammad Shahabuddin dissolved the parliament on Tuesday and appointed 84-year-old Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus as the head of the interim government. The death toll in anti-government protests in Bangladesh has risen to 440. During this, arson and vandalism took place in different parts of the country. Temples were also attacked. According to two community leaders in Dhaka, many Hindu temples, houses and business establishments have been vandalized and at least two Hindu leaders associated with Hasina’s Awami League party have been killed in the violence.
Hindu singer Rahul Anand’s house also attacked
In Bangladesh’s English newspaper ‘Daily Star’ According to the published news, the residence of Rahul Anand, the lead singer of the popular folk band Jollar Gaan, was vandalized on Monday, forcing the singer and his family to take refuge in a secret place. Quoting Saiful Islam Jarnal, one of the founding members of Jollar Gaan, the report said, “Rahul da and his family are terrified and have taken refuge in a secret place, which is known to only a few people. We have not been able to contact them yet. This was not even their house, it was rented in which they have been living for decades.” The report said that the mob not only vandalized the house but also looted valuables and set it on fire, destroying more than 3000 musical instruments of the musician which he had prepared with years of hard work.
Homes, temples and shops were also targeted
The report published in the Dhaka Tribune newspaper said, “Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has strongly condemned the incidents of communal violence in the districts, including attacks on homes, temples and businesses of religious minorities. It said that TIB has also condemned the incidents of burning and looting of important infrastructure and vehicles. TIB, an organization raising voice against corruption in Bangladesh, has commented that such selfish and communal activities can thwart the chances of rebuilding the nation “with equality, justice and good governance”.
Attacks on Parliament House and PM House too
TIB Executive Director Dr. Iftikharuzzaman issued a statement on Tuesday and urged all responsible officials to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of minorities living in the country and state properties. He said, “It is extremely disappointing that we have to demand protection of religious minorities and state properties in the midst of an unprecedented victorious moment of the movement, where hundreds of students and citizens shed blood to demand equality, harmony and equal rights for all.”
The newspaper, referring to the recent violence and attacks on Parliament House, court complex, Chief Justice’s residence, government institutions, police stations, homes and business establishments, said that those who are damaging government properties in revenge should think that whichever government comes to power will have to rebuild them.
