Minorities helpless in country

The state, administration, political parties and civil society do not stand for protecting the rights of minorities, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council claimed yesterday.

“We are helpless. We want to draw attention of the government, political parties and conscious people of the society for protecting our rights,” Rana Dasgupta, the council's general secretary, told a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity.

Minorities routinely come under attack during all elections, both local and national, said a statement.

The council urged all parties not to nominate candidates in Union Parishad polls who may act against the interest of minorities.

“If you nominate such people, we will be compelled to boycott the polls and look for an alternative,” said Dasgupta, reading out the statement.

On April 22, the council claimed that at least 10 religious minority people were killed, 366 injured and eight women raped in Bangladesh from January to March this year.

Replying to a question whether the Islamic State (IS) is involved in the killings and attacks, he said yesterday, “We do not know whether IS exists in Bangladesh or not. But the militants, who have similar opinions as IS's, are conducting militant activities in the country.”

Minorities come under attack both for political and communal reasons, he said, adding that in most cases, local leaders of both ruling and other political parties joined hands to grab lands of the minorities. Repression on minorities is recurring due to impunity, he viewed.

“We could not get peace and relief during the BNP-Jamaat tenure. Similarly, we can't sleep in peace and relief today.” 

The statement cited recent incidents of repression.

In Tangail, a Hindu tailor was hacked to death in Gopalpur Upazila on April 30.

In Pirojpur, Ashis Kumar Baral, a newly elected chairman of Jolabari UP under Nesarabad upazila, came under attack on March 21. 

The statement said in Jessore, minorities of Pashapol UP in Chougachha upazila and Prembagh UP in Avoynagar upazila were in fear because two ruling party men, who were involved in minority repression, were contesting the polls for the chairman post.

It added that attacks also took places recently in Munshiganj, Sylhet and Shariatpur.