Amid a series of attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) has condemned the incidents, saying there is no such thing as majority or minority and every citizen has equal rights. Speaking at a press conference, BJI’s current Ameer Shafiqur Rahman admitted that there have indeed been attacks on religious minorities, including incidents of vandalism, looting and arson. We have condemned these acts of miscreants many times and are still doing so. Under these circumstances, we have called upon the countrymen as well as the manpower of our organization to play the role of guardians in protecting the properties of people of all religions. There is no majority or minority in our country.
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Shafiqur Rahman further said that everyone born in Bangladesh, regardless of their caste or religion, is a citizen of the country and enjoys equal rights. BGI Amir said the question of majority or minority is invalid. He asked citizens to oppose the miscreants and their misdeeds and said the party is ready to extend full cooperation to the administration. The massive student protests against the quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh, which led to the death of more than 400 people, have now turned into a widespread saga of vandalism and looting, with minorities, especially Hindus, facing the ire. The attacks intensified after Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post of Prime Minister and fled to India thereafter.
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Several online videos showed temples being set on fire and homes and businesses belonging to Hindus being attacked. An ISKCON temple and a Kali temple in Meherpur, located in Bangladesh’s Khulna division, were vandalised and set on fire. Meanwhile, two Hindu councillors were killed amid the protests. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council tweeted that there were 54 attacks on temples, homes and establishments belonging to the Hindu community. These included the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, which promotes cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh.
