‘Culture of impunity reason behind the attacks’

A culture of impunity is the main reason behind recurrent attacks on Hindus in the country, observed leaders of Hindu organisations yesterday.

They called for exemplary punishment for those involved in the attacks, which occurred in various parts of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad, at a press conference held at the capital's Dhakeshwari Temple, raised some questions over the Cumilla incident, which eventually triggered a series of communal attacks on the Hindu community.

"The puja mandap at Nanua Dighirpar was temporary. On the day of the incident, there was a power cut at the mandap between 3am and 4am. Is this not something worth investigating?" asked Nirmal Kumar Chatterjee, general secretary of the organisation, while reading out a written statement.

In addition, he raised questions over the incendiary Facebook Live video, which went viral. "Why did the officer-in-charge [police] allow the video's broadcasting, even after they [police] arrived at the scene?" he asked.

Referring to events at Cox's Bazar's Ramu on September 29, 2012, Nirmal said in the years after, business establishments of the Hindu community were regular victims of arson attacks, vandalism, and looting.

As the real culprits behind these attacks are spared from punishment, owing to political mudslinging, rule of law and communal harmony erodes in the country, he added.

"This culture of impunity and injustice encourages such heinous events to continue," he said.

He said the common people want to know the perpetrators' "source of strength". "How can they carry out these attacks despite stern warnings from the prime minister and intelligence agencies?"

Recalling law enforcement agencies' assurances of security ahead of the Durga Puja, Nirmal said in every meeting with the agencies, high officials and representatives assured of complete security, and yet little was done to contain the series of violence.

The organisation has decided to not celebrate Dipabali this year, in protest of the Durga Puja attacks and citing safety reasons.

They will instead hold Shyama Puja in a single day and cancel all other programmes centring the puja.

Among others, Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad President Milon Kanti Datta addressed the press conference.

Meanwhile, multiple organisations held protests yesterday in several areas of Dhaka.

Hundreds of activists blocked Shahbagh intersection yesterday afternoon for about half an hour.

"Since October 13, we've been seeing a series of attacks on Hindu minorities," said Advocate Sumon Kumar Roy, president of Bangladesh Hindu Lawyer Parishad.

Such communal attacks had also taken place earlier, but justice was not ensured, he said. Around 5:30pm, protestors brought out a torch bearing procession from Shahbagh and stopped at Jatiya Press Club.

Earlier in the morning, Ramakrishna Math and Mission formed a human chain at the capital's RK Mission Road, protesting the recent attacks.

Swami Purnatmananda, principal of the organisation, other monks and different like-minded organisations, including Vivekananda Shikkha o Sangskriti Parishad and Sarada Sangha, took part in the human chain.

"The absence of exemplary punishment is the main reason behind recurrent communal attacks on the minority community," said Purnatmananda.

"If exemplary punishment was ensured, no such incidents would happen," he said, urging the government to take strict action to save minorities.

He said Ramakrishna Ashram at Chandpur's Hajiganj upazila came under attack on October 13.

At a separate meeting, President of Workers Party of Bangladesh Rashed Khan Menon said the arrested Iqbal Hossain is being termed a "vagabond", but it does not trivialise his offence.

"We've been saying from the beginning that the whole incident was preplanned. Now, we need to find the masterminds," he said at a meeting of Bangladesh Jubo Maitri in Barishal's Ujirpur upazila.

Menon had joined the meeting virtually.

DEMANDS PLACED FOR JUSTICE

At the press conference, Puja Udjapan Parishad also put forward a set of demands, including rebuilding all damaged temples and houses with government funds, and rehabilitation of those who became homeless after the attacks.

They also demanded compensation for affected traders, treatment cost for the injured, and reparations for family members of those who died in the attacks.

In applicable cases, the government should also arrange for government jobs for family members of the deceased, they said.

The demands also include formation of a judicial probe committee, taking immediate steps against perpetrators, and exemplary punishment for culprits through a special tribunal.

At a protest event, Bangladesh Hindu Parishad's Narayanganj unit convener Uttam Kumar Saha demanded formulation of respective laws for minorities to ensure their safety.

Protestors also demanded the government form a separate ministry for minority groups, return "Debottar" properties, and a 20 percent quota system in government services.