Eminent citizens blame admin's disregard

The country's eminent citizens at a discussion yesterday blamed the administration's perpetual disregard towards communal violence for the recurrence of such attacks. 

All the attacks -- on the people of religious or ethnic minority -- were conducted in a similar fashion and they are interconnected. Yet, the administration failed to learn lessons from the past and it failed to prevent fresh ones, they alleged.

The discussion, titled “rise against communalism and social infringement for a humane society” was organised by Sammilita Samajik Andolan at the capital's Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium.

If the perpetrators of the attacks are not brought to book, similar attacks will continue to recur, the speakers warned, urging the citizens of the country to forge a social bonding in order to prevent violence on the minority. 

Sammilito Sangskritik Jote Presidium Member Prof Noor Mohammad Talukder said they recently sent a four-member team to Gangachara in Rangpur where the Hindu community was attacked over a Facebook post on November 10. 

After speaking with a number of victims and locals, they came to learn that hatred was spread and provocative statements were made by a vested quarter in the area ahead of the Friday (November 10) when bigots launched the attack on the minority after holding a rally. 

Despite all the open provocations, local police, administration and leaders of the ruling party misjudged the gravity of the situation and failed to take any step for preventing the attack, Prof Noor alleged. 

Rights activist Sultana Kamal said similar communal attacks continue to recur and the police and the administration overlook those in the similar manner. “In theatre, we used to say 'repeat performance'. Communal attacks are being repeated just like that.”

A person is being identified over a Facebook post and attack is being carried out on his community. The administration starts its activity only when concerned citizens condemn such an attack and demand justice, said Sultana. 

Another example of “repeat performance” is tracking down the so-called offender who is not “qualified” to make such an offensive post on Facebook, she added.

Prof Emeritus Anisuzzaman said communal attacks have been taking place on the religious and ethnic minority in the country for several years. People from nearby areas took part in the incidents, but the neighbours, instead of extending a helping hand, played the role of spectators.

“We are losing our sense of justice. We were purified through the Liberation War, but where is the spirit of the Liberation War [now]?” he asked, urging all to take two steps forward to protest injustice whenever they witness one.  

Historian Prof Syed Anwar Hossain, veteran politician Pankaj Bhattacharya, theatre personality Ramendu Majumdar, and Liberation War Museum trustees Dr Sarwar Ali and Ziauddin Tarique Ali also spoke among others.