Raja Debashish condemns cleansing of Rohingyas

Chakma Circle Chief Raja Debashish Roy yesterday condemned the Rohingya ethnic cleansing by Myanmar and expressed concerns over propaganda, rumours and incitement of violence against the Buddhist and ethnic communities in Bangladesh.

Speaking at a press conference, Debashish said, “We have heard of a number of incidents in Chittagong, Dhaka and Narayanganj in which a number of indigenous people, who work in these areas or were visiting those, were subjected to verbal abuse, intimidation and violence.

“We are concerned and also strongly condemn the perpetration of such acts,” he said.

Debashish added some quarters are portraying the events in Rakhine state as a religious conflict, based on the fact that the majority community in Myanmar is Buddhist, while the refugee community is predominantly from the Islamic faith.

The unbridled expressions of such views are falsely leading to the conclusion that the Buddhists in Bangladesh are somehow responsible for the atrocities perpetrated on the Muslims in Rakhine, the Chakma circle chief observed.

It is not only the non-Buddhists who have suffered the atrocities and other discrimination by the Government of Myanmar, particularly during the military rule.

There are countless other incidents in which Buddhist members of the majority Bamar community and from the Shan, Rakhine, Mon and Karen people have also been subjected to similar acts, he cited.

Apart from this, on account of oppression against people of Indian or Bangladeshi descent, several thousand Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists (particularly from the Barua community) have been forced to leave Burma, among others, in 1930, 1944-45 and 1962, Debashish said.

It is imperative to maintain harmony between citizens of Bangladesh, whether Bangalees, hill people or from other indigenous communities, belonging to Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian or other religions or spiritual traditions on account of considering humanity, the Chakma Raja added.

Debashish said, “We support the policy of the Government of Bangladesh in this matter. We condemn the discrimination and violence, perpetrated by the Government of Myanmar, which is contrary to human rights and humanitarian norms.”

In his written speech, the Raja added, “We appeal to the government to engage in bilateral and international diplomatic initiatives to facilitate early repatriation of the refugees to their own home and land, with dignity, due compensation and safety and security.”