Slogans of solidarity reverberate
On a day that saw a new round of vandalism in Habiganj, protests against the communal attacks continued across the country yesterday.
Hindu community members, rights groups, and people from all strata of life held sit-ins, hunger strikes, and torch light vigils condemning the recent spate of violence that spread after the initial attack in Cumilla on October 13.
In Dhaka, Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad organised a sit-in and hunger strike at Shahbagh intersection to press home their demands, which include formation of a judicial probe commission to investigate the violence.
Hundreds of people joined the demo that started around 6am. After the programme ended around 11:30am, protestors blocked the intersection for an hour.
The Minority Protection Act should be enacted as promised before the eleventh parliamentary election as well as a speedy implementation of a minorities' commission.
In a statement, parishad leaders said they will hold a march to the Prime Minister's Office next February if their demands are not met.
They also announced that Hindu devotees will boycott the traditional Dipabali Festival on Shyama Puja on November 4, and instead observe 15 minutes of silence covering their faces with black cloth.
The Oikya Parishad also demanded compensation for all temples, homes and businesses affected by the attacks, along with identification and action against members of the administration and law enforcement who failed to contain the violence.
Among others, Gonoshasthaya Kendra founder and trustee Zafrullah Chowdhury, Gono Forum leader Subrata Chowdhury, Oikya Parishad president
Prof Neem Chandra Bhowmik, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote President Golam Kuddus, and Dhaka University teachers Prof Asim Kumar Sarker and Gobinda Chandra Mandal spoke at the programme.
In another sit-in and hunger strike in the port city, Oikya Parishad General Secretary Rana Das Gupta also put forward the parishad's demands.
It's a big question why the head of state, head of government, opposition leader, chief of police and others did not visit the affected people. It is unacceptable.
He urged the prime minister to take steps against public representatives who did not come forward during the attacks.
He also demanded restoration of the constitution of 1972 and enactment of the Minority Protection Act -- as promised before the eleventh parliamentary election -- as well as speedy implementation of a minorities' commission.
Parishad leader Professor Ranjit Dey chaired the programme. Among others, it was addressed by Iskon Chattogram divisional President Chinmot Das, Puja Udjapan Parishad Chattogram President Shyamol Palit, and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal leader Indu Nandan Dutta.
The parishad also held similar demonstrations in Barishal, Lalmonihat, Manikganj, Munshiganj and several others districts.
Meanwhile, members of Moulik Adhikar Suraksha Committee, a platform for rights activists, in a webinar yesterday said failures of the local administration, police, and intelligences allowed the violence to spread.
"Local administration, police, as well as intelligence utterly failed to contain the attacks," rights activist Shireen Huq said.
Dhaka University Professor Asif Nazrul said communal attacks do not take place for these many days unless the "government shelters" the attackers.
Environmentalist and lawyer Syeda Rizwana Hasan said it's a big question why the head of state, head of government, opposition leader, chief of police and others did not visit the affected people. "It is unacceptable," she remarked.
Dhaka University Professor Robayet Ferdous said, "Our society has turned communal over the years as Awami League and BNP cultivated communalism here."
Rights activist Sanjeeb Drong demanded the immediate formation of the National Minorities Commission so that minority communities can raise their voices.
Meanwhile, Feminist Across Generations, an alliance against gender-based-violence, held a torch light vigil to express solidarity with Hindu communities at Central Shaheed Minar in the evening.
Protesters shouted slogans such as "Communalism means destruction", "We shall never tolerate communalism", and "Hindus are our siblings".
Women rights activists Shireen Huq, Maimuna Syed Ahmed, and Sudeshna Biswas were among those present during the stand-in protest.
Shireen Huq said, "As feminists, this is our fight. There is no alternative to standing in solidarity and being active in countering the violence inflicted on Hindu communities."
The protesters demanded full compensation and rehabilitation of the victims and eradication of communalism from the country.
In a human chain organised by Shushashoner Jonno Nagorik with National Girl Child Advocacy Forum, Youth Ending Hunger, and Bikoshito Nari Network, speakers said until political parties stop using religion in politics it will be impossible to stop such attacks.
"It's a wake-up call for all of us, no one is safe here in the country," SHUJAN secretary Badiul Alam Majumder said at the protest held in front of the Jatiya Shangshad Bhaban.
Even on Friday night and yesterday, two idols of Hindu Goddess Kali were vandalised at a temple in Lakhai upazila of Habiganj, while unidentified miscreants allegedly set fire to a firewood stack adjacent to a Hindu house at Basiadebi Senpara village in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila.
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