Delhi Violence: Tarnishing values of Indian constitution

Condemning recent attacks on minorities in India's Delhi, speakers at a human chain yesterday said such incidents are tarnishing the values of the Indian constitution, which principally upholds a non-communal spirit.    

They said Bangladeshi citizens will not accept any incident of attack on minorities anywhere in the world, even in Bangladesh. 

Cultural personalities, rights activists and student leaders stood and spoke in front of National Museum at the capital's Shahbagh. At least 100 people under the banner "Jongibad o Shamprodaikota Protirodh Morcha", a platform to fight militancy and communalism, protested the violence in Delhi.   

"We condemn the attacks on minorities in India; we'll continue this movement against communalism no matter where it occurs. We should first ensure security of minorities in our own country," said Sammilita Sangskritik Jote President Golam Kuddus.

He said the role of law enforcers during the attacks in India was questionable.

"I hope Muslims get justice; we can't accept such heinous incidents, though we're thankful to them [India] for helping us in 1971," he said.

Citing Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Dhaka on March 17, Kuddus said Modi makes frequent visits but a group is trying to misguide citizens by protesting his upcoming visit centring Bangabandhu's birth centenary.

"We want justice for Muslims in India, but at the same time, we need to acknowledge the contributions India made; so, we should welcome him [Modi]," he added. 

Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad General Secretary Rana Dasgupta criticised Modi and his party, BJP, at the programme.  

"We should be aware so that none can undermine the image of Bangladesh by creating similar violence here," he added.

Mufti Faizur Rahman, a member of the platform, said the Indian government should take legal action against those who had attacked Muslims in Delhi.

He also alleged that a group in Bangladesh is opposing Modi's visit to the country, but they said nothing when Muslims were attacked in China. 

"The group is not actually protesting attacks on Muslims but establishing their anti-Indian sentiment in the name of a movement," he claimed.

Among others, the platform's convener FM Shahin, joint convener Barrister Tureen Afroz and Dhaka University Bangabandhu Hall Union General Secretary Mehedi Hasan Shanto also spoke at the human chain. 

Meanwhile, the death toll in Delhi's violence rose to 46 till Monday, according to different media reports.

On February 28, thousands of people protesting attacks on minorities in Delhi marched on the streets of Dhaka city after Jumma prayers and urged the government to cancel Modi's visit to Dhaka.