Bangladesh’s interim government chief Mohammad Yunus on Saturday condemned the attacks on minority communities in the violence-hit country. He called the attacks on minorities heinous and urged all the youth to ensure the safety of Hindu, Christian, Buddhist families.
According to two Hindu organisations of Bangladesh- Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council and Bangladesh Puja Udyapan Parishad, members of minority communities in Bangladesh have faced at least 205 incidents of attacks in 53 districts since the fall of the Sheikh Hasina-led government on August 5. Also, thousands of Bangladeshi Hindus are trying to go to neighboring country India to escape the violence.
“There are many people standing to ruin your efforts. Don’t fail this time,” he said while addressing students at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur city, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported.
Related news
- Kashmir’s Lal Chowk painted in the colours of the tricolour, Independence Day fervour seen all across Srinagar
- Kolkata rape-murder case: ‘Our dreams were shattered in one night’, father reveals what was written in daughter’s diary
- Independence Day 2024 Live Streaming: When and where to watch PM Modi’s address on Independence Day? Here are the direct links
- Independence Day 2024: These 10 British brands were once the pride of the British, today Indians rule them!
- Who is 1989 batch IAS Govind Mohan, who has been appointed as the new Home Secretary
Yunus categorically condemned the attacks on minority communities in the country, calling them “heinous” and urged all students to protect minority Hindu, Christian and Buddhist families from harm.
We have fought together and will remain together: Yunus
Emphasising on the unity of the nation, he said, “Are they not the people of this country, you are capable of saving the country. Can’t you save a few families? You have to say that no one will harm them. They are my brothers, we fought together and we will live together.”
Yunus stressed the importance of youth leadership and said that this Bangladesh is now in your hands. You have the power to take it wherever you want, this is not a matter of discussion, it is a power within you.
‘Remember student leader Abu Saeed’
He also urged the people of Bangladesh to remember student leader Abu Sayeed who stood bravely during the anti-government protests that led to the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government. Sayeed, 25, a student of Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was killed in police firing during an anti-discrimination student movement on July 16.
Hindu organizations demonstrated
Thousands of Hindu agitators, including students, demonstrated at Shahbagh crossing for the second consecutive day on Saturday against attacks on their homes, shops and temples in different parts of the country, The Daily Star newspaper reported.
They raised slogans such as “Save Hindus,” “Why are my temples and homes being looted? We want answers,” “Hindu persecution will not continue in an independent Bangladesh,” “Religion is for individuals, the state is for all”, and “Ensure the safety of Hindus.”
According to community leaders in Dhaka, several Hindu temples, homes and businesses were vandalised, women were attacked and at least two Hindu leaders associated with the Awami League party led by Hasina were killed in the violence.
The protesters warned that if immediate steps were not taken to stop the persecution of Hindus, they would continue to protest.
He also demanded formation of a ministry for minorities, establishment of a Minority Protection Commission, formulation and implementation of strict laws to prevent all kinds of attacks on minorities and allocation of 10 per cent parliamentary seats for minorities.
Yunus took oath on Thursday
Yunus was sworn in as the head of the interim government on Thursday, The Daily Star newspaper reported. He met Saeed’s family members in Pirganj upazila of Rangpur.
After meeting Saeed’s family, he told the media, “We have to stand up in the same way as Abu Saeed stood…Abu Saeed’s mother is everybody’s mother. We have to protect her, protect her sisters, protect her brothers. Everyone has to do it together.
He said that we will remember him (Abu Saeed) through this. So we must ensure that we do that (necessary) work.
Yunus said, Abu Sayeed is no longer just a member of one family. He is the child of every family in Bangladesh. The children who grow up and go to school and college will know about Abu Sayeed and say to themselves, ‘I will also fight for justice. Abu Sayeed is now in every household.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)