Leaders of the Hindu community have called for a statement from Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in respect of recent nationwide attacks on Hindu homes, businesses, and places of worship.
Kajol Debnath, a member of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, expressed concerns about Yunus’s silence on the issue, reports bdnews24.com.
“Muhammad Yunus has not yet commented on the attacks against Hindus. We want to hear his response on this matter,” Debnath said during a protest march and rally outside the National Museum in Dhaka’s Shahbagh on Sunday afternoon.
The rally was organised by the Unity Council, Puja Udjapan Parishad, and the Religious-Ethnic Minority Unity Front.
Although the previous two days had seen blockades at the Shahbagh intersection, the protesters refrained from doing so on this occasion, allowing traffic to resume normally in the surrounding areas.
Debnath said, “Muhammad Yunus, who assumed responsibility through an anti-discrimination movement, has remained silent while discrimination persists.”
“He has not yet spoken out to stop the attacks on the minority communities.”
Debnath also said the home advisor had assured them that it would take another 4 to 5 days to resolve the situation before asking: “But who will bear the responsibility if something major happens during these 4-5 days?”
“There is no police presence at the moment, but the army is available,” he added.
The organisation’s president, Nirmal Rosario, said: “Since Aug 5, homes and places of worship of the Hindu community and other minority groups across Bangladesh have been destroyed, and in some cases, set on fire.”
“Despite assurances from advisors, we see no hope for justice.”
“This new narrative of independence is being undermined by these criminals,” he added.
Earlier, protesters at Shahbagh presented a 4-point charter of demand during their blockade.
Their demands are as follows:
>>The formation of a minority affairs ministry.
>>The establishment of a minority protection commission.
>>The enactment and enforcement of stringent laws to prevent all forms of attacks on minorities.
>>The reservation of 10 per cent of parliamentary seats for minorities.
