Violence against minorities
WE fully endorse the call by some civil society members that the perpetrators of violence against minorities in Bangladesh should be tried by special court and examples be made of them for their heinous acts.
Needless to say, it is the regime of impunity, perpetrators getting off scot-free because of political links or legal lacunae that are responsible for the recent spurt of communal violence in Bangladesh. It is a pity that this should happen in a country which prides itself as an example of communal harmony. And what is even worse is that we cannot recall an instance where an accused charged with committing or inciting violence against minorities has been punished. There is need to identify the actual masterminds behind the violence as well the reasons for the failure of the administration to respond timely.
We would like to stress that the attackers be dealt with as nothing else but criminals irrespective of their political or other identity. In some instances political divide was breached while committing violence against the minorities. In many instances the assailants, reportedly, belonged to the Jamaat who should have been the first to offer their help and protection to the minorities if they sincerely believed in the fundamental teachings of Islam.
The matter should not be taken as merely a law and order issue. Resistance against the communal forces must come from the society that should project a combined front against these forces cutting across caste, creed, political belief or religion.
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