zero zone

Attacks remind people of the horror unleashed by Pakistani forces 43 years ago

The January 5, 2014 elections in Bangladesh have again reminded the vulnerable minority community of the brutal treatment it received 43 years ago at the hands of marauding Pakistani forces and their local cohorts.

Here Hindus in particular have become easy targets of anti-election activists who attacked their houses and other properties, thinking that they voted for the ruling Awami League and did not heed their directive to refrain from voting.

The attacks, most of which took place in the post-election period, have forced hundreds of minority members to flee their houses. Systematic attacks were carried out by activists of the Opposition BNP and the Jamaat-e-Islami, the party which had violently opposed the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971.

We have to stop this type of violence.

Freedom of religion is a corner stone of the Bangladesh Constitution of 1972. Although the original article was amended in 1988, Article 2A of the Constitution states that “The state religion of the Republic is Islam, but other religions may be practised in peace and harmony in the Republic”.

To practise religion in peaceful environment is considered to be one of the fundamental elements of life of human beings. Human beings do not live only for material necessities. There is a strong need for spiritual nourishment for every human being.

Freedom of religion is a core of Islamic faith. It does not believe in coercion to change one’s religion or faith. The extracts from Surah Kafirun ( Surah 109) of the Holy Qu’ran are very relevant to the issue that are as follows:

“I worship not that which you worship,

or will you worship that I which I worship.…

To you be your Way and to me mine.”

It is very clear from this holy verse that Islam guarantees freedom of religion.

The violence against some religion of minorities cannot but have adverse impact on the image of Bangladesh that is perceived as a moderate, tolerant Muslim majority country. Image of a country, like reputation, is an intangible thing and it takes a long time to acquire a good image but can be lost immediately.

Our overwhelming majority of people believe in the freedom of religion, the Constitution proclaims it and the government, irrespective of parties, believes publicly in the freedom of religion. Therefore, there should not be any violence or coercion or compulsion in thwarting freedom of religion in Bangladesh. The government has a solemn responsibility to guarantee freedom of religion to all groups of people in Bangladesh, professing different religions.