Bangladesh: Soil oozing minorities’ blood

Himadri Sarkar

Even after partition and the emergence of a new nation, Bangladesh, the Pakistani rancour of hate and intolerance of minorities like Hindus and other non-Muslim communities could be perceived under the skin in the form of submerged intolerance. The minorities knew it but did feel safe under the reign Banga Bandhu and later, his daughter, Sheikh Hasina Wajed. In fact, she was the longest serving Prime Minister before being haunted out of her country by people who ultimately broke free of the thin layer of tolerance and emerged as a plundering and marauding nation bent on eradicating the Hindu and other minority communities. All hell broke loose and the Hindus and other minority communities were persecuted, murdered, their homes and business places destroyed and those alive, were made to live in constant fear of the worst. The new government to emerge after Sheikh Hasina’s ouster, has done precious little to rekindle the hope of peaceful coexistence. The minorities are living in constant fear as moments of death tick away.

What is happening in Bangladesh now is not uncalled for nor unprecedented. Persecution of minorities particularly Hindus are going on in a planned manner since 1947 with another major exodus that happened in 1971 when Bangladesh was born. It is being done in a very systematic manner and the country is now heading towards an Islamic nation like Afghanistan and Pakistan which are controlled by radicals. Population of Hindus were about 25% in 1947 and now stands at 8% which explains the persecution of religious minorities.

Otherwise, how can one explain why they are forging friendly relations with Pakistan from whose dictatorial regime they gained independence after a bloody battle in 1971. Bangladesh is an ungrateful nation and its people are forgetful, otherwise how could they forget India’ s contribution towards their freedom? Our Jawans gave their blood to ensure that Bangladesh emerged as an independent nation. Their Mukti Bahini fighting a guerilla war could never have captured from Pakistanis an independent Bangladesh had not India’s military might overpowered and hastened the Pakistani surrender. It was one of the swiftest and shortest battles in history which lasted only 14 days to defeat Pakistan lock, stock & barrel and made them surrender their arms. A new nation was born and Sheikh Mujib took charge and was hailed as Father of the Nation. Irony of the situation is that the same Father of the Nation is now being projected as traitor as because he and his daughter Sheikh Hasina (Longest serving PM during whose regime Bangladesh progressed as one of the fastest growing economies). They were branded as traitors as because they were friendly with India and under their regime Hindus felt safe and protected. Statues of the Father of the Nation were vandalised throughout the country and the longest serving PM had to leave the country and take refuge in India which tells us the whole story of this treacherous nation and its people, 90% of whom are radical Muslims, which brings about assessing the current situation prevailing in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is now in the hands of radicals who have been successful in brainwashing the student community and young people residing in cities and they used them successfully to oust and overthrow Sheikh Hasina to make way for BNP and Jamat e Islami to take over control of the country’s affairs and make amendments in the Constitution to declare it an Islamic country. They got a stooge in Dr Mohammed Yunus to get things done their way. Is it not paradoxical to see that a person who got a Nobel peace prize in 2006 is spearheading an onslaught, an attack on religious minorities with impunity? If there is any provision, Nobel committee should immediately take back the Nobel bestowed upon him. He does not deserve this honour. It is also ironic but true that our so-called intelligentsia are not coming out on streets and protesting the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. It is suggested that the Government of India should take stern action against Bangladesh to stop atrocities being committed day and night and merely lip service would not suffice. Also, all kinds of exports of food grains and other essentials will be suspended for some time, borders be sealed and except for emergency medical visas, all other visas be stopped temporarily till the situation improves. If necessary, military intervention may not be ruled out to let them realise that if India can help you to get freedom it can also teach you a lesson like it did to Pakistan. If India can give (independence from Pakistan), she can also regulate and restore the humanitarian atmosphere in Bangladesh that once again has been besotted with socio-economic fragility because an upheaval has been ignited by radicals.

(The views expressed are personal opinion of the author.)