It’s totally different from my country. Here are no so many people, no traffic jam, no chaos and may be no corruption! Peoples seem to be helpful (NB: weather is hostile!) and busy in their own business. No one is interfering others. Things are all arranged and seem to be in a good order. They are so upgraded that they speak of animal welfare meaning a strong voice for the human rights, human welfare. This is really praiseworthy. But what about me?

As I mentioned earlier, I am from the minority Hindu religious people of Bangladesh. I know it very well what does it actually mean being a minor Hindu in Bangladesh. But I don’t know what it means to a Muslim in India or to a tamil in Srilanka or the same in others countries. In my village we are about 500 Hindus living as a cluster surrounded by Muslims. When I understood for the first time that I am a Hindu, I also understood that I am weak. I cannot protest someone from Muslim community if he robs mangoes from our trees, fish from our ponds. If I do it I can be beated and may be no fruitful trial for that. I was learning how to be adapted with all this from that age. I always tried to get a Muslim friend to possess some power so that no another Muslim can beat me. Sometimes I was successful!

To be continued……….

Ruin of 200-year-old Hindu Mandir

On 10th February a midnight a heavy loaded truck suddenly heat the boundary of the 200 years old Barthi Tara Kali Mondir in Gouranadi, in this accident a notable portion of this historic Hindu temple was demolished said the secretary of the temple, Babu Datta

He added that the Dhaka metor Da-11-1896 suddenly heat the boundary of the holy temple and demolished the historic temple, the local highly police came and took the truck after four hours

The local Hindu devote expressed their great shock on this accident, some people shared this may be a planned attack on the temple

William Nicholas Gomes is a human rights activist and freelance journalist. He can be reached at E-mail:cda.exe@gmail.com.

Rubi Villa is a name of an old house. Professor Amiretus of Rajshahi University Arun Basak is the owner of this house. It’s situated of the middle of Rajshahi city near Boalia police station.

Dr Arun Basak, a retired professor of Physics of the University of Rajshahi, has been subjected to cynical harassment and mental torture, inflicted by the Rajshahi Development Authority (RDA) in league with a powerful vested interest of the locality. Appealing against this overbalance, Mrs. Devika Basak, wife of Professor Basak has made a written prayer on 24 January of 2007 to the Honorable President of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh.

Professor Basak bought an old dilapidated house in the Sagarpara area of the city for residential purposes and registered it in the name of his wife in 1985. He renovated the house with minor adjustments to settle there. The roofed staircase was reconstructed with no new house-construction or wall. The RDA served a show cause notice on Mrs Basak on 10 January, 1987, charging her with the offence of unauthorized house-building without a prior permission from their office. Mrs. Basak sent a reply to the notice on 15 January of that year. In it she explained that the staircase was built only with cooperation, counseling and goodwill of the neighbors. There was no objection from any of the neighbors. In reply to the notice, Mrs Basak also submitted that they did not have any prior knowledge that the renovation of a staircase matching an old house required a formal approval of the RDA, and hence she prayed for a formal sanction of the work which had been done in a good faith. In addition, she pledged that she would be obliged to pull down the reconstructed staircase if in the future that becomes a necessity in the interest of the RDA. In response to the submission of Mrs Devika Basak, the report observes, the Authorized Officer of RDA after a long silence of six years informed her in a letter of 29 October, 1993 that the charge leveled against her had been provisionally withdrawn, and in consequence of that the Basak family settled down in that house without any further trouble.

But, as stated in the aforesaid petition to the Honorable President, a new crisis developed for them in 2003, when an additional construction was started on the southern side of their house by their adjacent neighbor showing total disregard for the rules of house-building in an urban locality. This erection came within a mere 9 (nine) inch distance from the residential room of the very old house, that Professor Basak had bought for this wife and since been living in with his other members of his family, by the scheming neighbor Mr. I. Y. Ferdous. The overbearing Mr Ferdous left even no cornice gap at the roof-top. The mandatory restriction of a gap of at least 4 (four) feet from the boundary imposed by the RDA was blatantly flouted by Mr. Ferdous. Mrs Basak entreated with Mr. Ferdous to desist from the unlawful and heinous act. But Mr. Ferdous not only threw aside but also threatened highly respected Dr. Basak with a dire consequence in case the Basak family dared to interfere with the evil designs of Ferdous. The matter was brought to the notice of the local ward Commissioner, Mr. Abdul Hamid Sarkar Tekon. But he took no corrective measure even after his high promise to the Basak family. Once the said Ferdous had completed the construction of the second floor of his venture, some BNP leaders of the then ruling party intervened and endorsed a formal complain regarding the matter to the RDA authority.

The RDA authority, after serving two consecutive notices on both Ferdous and Devika Basak, started putting pressure on Dr. Basak to agree to a compromise with Ferdous even while he was executing uninterrupted his ulterior design. Scientist Basak told the investing team of the TFT that two buildings almost locked side by side and stops cross ventilation of air leading ultimately to the development of a hazardous level of radioactive radon gas naturally emanated from the concrete materials, which is one of the principal causes of lung-cancer. This house-related disturbance and thrust on him through the machinations of his recalcitrant neighbor are destroying his peace of mind and he can no longer adequately concentrate on his research works, he lamented.

The RDA authority constituted an inquiry committee formed with the ward commissioner Abdul Hamid Sarkar Tekon (who failed to stop Ferdous from his heinous designs at the beginning of the illegal construction on 9 March, 2006 to look specifically into the matter. But the report of the committee has not yet seen the light of the day. And Mr. Ferdous is an influential who is much closed with the Mayor of Rajshahi city AHM Khairuzzaman Liton.

Professor Arun Basak told, we are under big trouble. Our nighbour has built a new building violating the rule of RDA and occupied our land. But, both of two buildings have no gaped. So, our building now is not able to use. We went to many places for solve this problem. But, we were failed. We went to local ward commissioner and to the authority of RDA. But, oppressing has started on us. It is unfortunate that RDA was given us notice as we are guilty. By that way they wanted to minimize to this problem. My wife was wrote an application to the President in the regime of caretaker government. After then RDA has try to compromise. In the mean time, the opponent was filed an injunction case in the Judge court. On the other hand, opponent made a false allegation against us to the Waqfo estate that we were occupied their three feet land. From Waqfo we were received a notice. We answered to them by our lawyer. Then a measurement was completed by the ADC revenue. By that measurement it was proved that the complainant was occupied our land. Still haven’t taken any action against him (nighbour and opponent). Still a case has been running in the court. We are living in very helpless now. Still, (January-3, 2010) we haven’t got any solution. From local administration or any administration we haven’t got any help. Day after day have rescheduled date in the court. We have no child. My wifeliving in this house alone with very helpless when I was in university. In the regime of BNP I was threatened. Then my wife told me that don’t take any action on threatened. Because, they are very powerful they would be killed me. For our life security we didn’t go to the administration. But, local people were submitted an application to the RDA on behave of us. But RDA turned upside down against us. They had started oppression on us. We were built a stair before 24 years. On that stair RDA was given us a notice. They said that this stair was illegally built. After giving that notice RDA was pressured to us to compromise with opponent. But, we weren’t agreed with them. After then RDA authority was angry with us. We haven’t got any help from former Mayor of Rajshahi. Even from present local administration we haven’t getting any help.

Devika Basak wife of Arun Basak told, we are in heavy danger. We are in very unpeace situation with this house. Our nighouber was made a two floor building without any gap of our building. We were in round to door to door. But, nobody wasn’t helped us. Even I went to the local ward commissioner ihn several times. But, he hasn’t helped us.

Since Hindus in East Bengal turned Bangladesh participated in all nationalistic movements right from the beginning of our glorious Language Movement in 1948, 1952 and 1966 to the heroic War of Liberation in 1971, along with their co-linguistic brothers and sisters belonging to the major religious group of Bangladesh, their hopes and aspirations have naturally become very high.

What happened in the early fifties, happened again in Bangladesh in 1992 and 2001. As a result the silent migration of Hindus from this country could not be stopped. The state failed to provide security to the minorities despite equal rights guaranteed to them in the constitution.

The self-contradictory “State Religion Provision” and “Vested Property Act” compromised making the State pledge meaningless.

This is an unending story of Hindus. Now we are talking about the present situation in Bangladesh. The print media reportedly published a number of incidences of violation of human rights. I could quote the headline of those stories published in the local dailies during the last 12 months in 2009, that would tell of its saddest thoughts of humiliation of Hindus.

The sacrifices of the Hindu leadership were never acknowledged either officially or publicly.

Does the nation pay respect to those departed souls? Is there any room for the Hindu leaders in the history who fought for the cause of history and the War of Liberation?

The so-called Bangladeshi nationalism in Bangladesh’s politics is a revival of two-nation theory. Here ” Bangladeshi ” means the Muslim citizens of the land, others like Hindu, Buddhists, Christians and tribal origins are aligning citizens, they would be absorbed in the majority community by conversion or make them compelled to leave Bangladesh.

In the post-August 1975, Bangladesh, Bengali, Hindu and India are equated with a typical psyche by the ruling cliché. “The existing literature on the history of Bangladesh underplays not only the inner contradictions of the Muslims of Bengal, but also other significant features of her past.” It is very difficult to guess about the inner world of the present-day Bangladesh.

The minorities of East Pakistan had not only fought for independence of Bangladesh together with all citizens of other sections of society. Hindus had to pay a great sacrifice for Bangladesh nationhood, but after August 1975, they are cornered, ciphered and uprooted due to property and vote’s bank assaults like erstwhile Pakistan military regimes.

Universal Declaration Of Human Rights (UDHR)

On December 10, 1948 the UN General Assembly endorsed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) the first international expression that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights:

(Article 1). This declaration (comprising 30 articles) forms the basis of essentially all humanitarian work around the globe today, and sets a human rights standard by which all societies are judged. The vast majority of UN member states adopted the UDHR.

Thus, December 10 represents a day to celebrate hope and the triumph of humanity. It is also a day to look back, renew the resolve and reinvigorate commitments to the dignity of people irrespective of their ethnicity, religion or any other identifiers that may be used for selective exclusion and deprivation.

The UDHR is a declaration of the principles of international law, and as such, is non- binding. However, it is accompanied by a series of international human rights covenants or treaties. These treaties require sovereign parties to enact coherent domestic measures and legislation that provide tangible legal mechanisms to protect the human rights guaranteed under international law.

Bangladesh is party to almost all the core conventions, such as the, ICCPR (International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights), ICESCR (International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), ICERD (International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination), and CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women).

It may be noted that the UDHR came about at the same time as the partitioning of India in 1947. The partitioning gave birth to Pakistan as the homeland for Indian Muslims, even though a substantial Muslim population chose to remain in secular India. The minorities, especially the Hindus and Buddhists who lived in East Pakistan (as it was then) faced varying degrees of discrimination and threats to life, property, dignity and freedom. An atmosphere of exclusion and hate prevailed.

Over and above other cultural conflicts under the military dictatorship in Islamic Pakistan, unhappiness in East Pakistan with the inequitable distribution of political and economic power led to the independence struggle.

Free, democratic, secular Bangladesh came into being in 1971. However, the Islamic forces never accepted this idea of nationhood.

In August 1975, brutal annihilation of almost the entire family members of founding Father of Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Thus, power reverted back to the military.

Islam (as the state religion) replaced secularism. This allowed the Islamic fundamentalists a kind of constitutional footing in Bangladesh.

Against this background, it is probably not surprising to find that the human rights abuse minorities received under Pakistan’s framework also continues in Bangladesh.

The Hindu temples are damaged. Temple sites and other property are unlawfully occupied with new structures erected on them. Young girls are abducted for forcible marriages into Islam. Police authorities dismissively discourage investigation for such cases with communal undertones.

Naturally, despite a constitution that guarantees all citizens equal protection of law (Article 27), minorities in Bangladesh do not live with the confidence that their human rights will be respected. The minority population has dropped (through emigration) from 23% in 1954 to 11% in 2001.

However, with their parliamentary representation decreasing from 23.3% (on a quota basis) to 2%, minorities are under-represented in administration, judiciary and police. In those figures, one finds little cause for confidence ? a regrettable scenario, as Bangladesh, with its mostly progressive Muslim population, possesses a great potential to rise to the UDHR standard. Yet its human rights record (a standard normally judged by the way a country treats its vulnerable population) leaves a lot to be desired.

In Calcutta to participate in the rally called by Furfura Darbar Sharif, a Muslim organisation demanding reservation, the former Indian skipper Muhammad Azharuddin MP said: “I have raised the issue in Parliament. Reservation is a must for Muslims. I hope the Central government will go for reservation. I have been asked by Pranab Mukherjee to come here. I am his messenger and I represent the Congress.” (The Telegraph, 2 Feb 2010).

Pradip Bhattacharya, working president of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee said: “We have accepted the Rangnath Mishra report. It was our Congress government in Andhra, which first provided reservation of seats to minorities. Pir Saheb Maulana Toha Siddiqui of Furfura Sharif, meanwhile, expressed his gratitude towards Pranab Mukherjee for the “help” extended to the community.

“If political parties don’t work of us, be it Left or Right, we will kick them out. I had called Trinamool leaders Partho Chatterjee, Mukul Roy and Mamata Banerjee here, but they did not come. Time has come for all Muslims to rise up.” He added: “We demand reservation. The party that looks after us will look after them. This time only words will not do, show us what you can do. I am thankful to Pranab Mukherjee who extended all help to us.”

Mamata too smells blood

With the ruling Left Front backing Rangnath Mishra Commission’s recommendations calling for 15 per cent reservation for Muslims in jobs, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee too threw her weight behind the quota proposal today, saying her party will implement them when it comes to power in Bengal. “This is nothing new. Look at our manifestos in 2001 and 2006 where we have said the same thing. We had already suggested this (reservation for Muslims).

The state government is shirking its responsibilities on the issue. Why is the state government not passing a resolution (in the state Assembly) and implementing it?” she told reporters at her Kalighat residence.

But what is happening in Bangladesh , if minority organisations raise this sort of demands, they would be termed as communal .

Bangladesh Minorities are slaves to their fate to the destiny of history also.

The distortion of the history of Bangladesh and with it the Bangladesh foreign policy objectives started following the fifth and eighth amendments to the constitution of Bangladesh in post August 1975.

After 1990, the two dominant parties -BNP and Awami League- had altered power, BNP winning in 1991, Awami League in 1996 and 2009, and a BNP-Jaamat led 4-party alliance again in 200.

The former 4-party regime and its beneficiaries disguised in the administration are marking time to create environment befitting for them. The government should look into those cases meticulously and lapses in the field administration be dealt seriously. We are receiving complain of grabbing lands from Madaripur, Dinajpur, and other districts. We have been receiving news of violation of human rights in the form of grabbing lands, religion and abduction and cases of rape in Sirajganj, Dinajpur, Jaipurhat, Jhinaidah Nagaon and Magura .

We don’t find any difference of behavior, particularly on minority issues, in administration and the nature of humiliation whether democratic regime or autocratic regime or Caretaker Government run by Emergency backed by Army rules in Bangladesh. That is why, the humiliated Hindus left Bangladesh to become a ‘stateless-citizens’ in neibouring states in India and their number became 1.5 crore since the period between1975 and 2006.

This has created a great divide in the society of Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, being a Hindu means being a victim of oppression, torture and discrimination. The educated Hindus, who could play a leadership role in the community, left the country. The poor, who lacked leadership qualities, stayed back. Eminent personalities of the minorities who stayed on in Bangladesh live in the cities, so there are none to look after them in times of distress.

Whereas minority Muslims in India deserve a 15 percent reservation in Jobs. Is there any leader in Bangladesh to come forward to rescue these humiliated minorities?

We want legitimate share in every share of public posts not puja dole for appeasement. Echoing the tune of Pir Saheb of Furfura Shariff as stated above , we also put the same voice, “If political parties don’t work of us, we will kick them out. …We demand reservation in jobs in government services and parliament. The party that looks after us will look after them. This time only words will not do, show us what you can do”.

Each nation has to be mindful of this consequence —Bangladesh also included this time.

Rabindranth Trivedi is a retired Additional Secretary and former Press secretary to the President of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh presently Secretary General Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities ( HRCBM)-Dhaka.

An ancient Hindu temple in a village near the Bangladesh capital has been vandalised, the miscreants breaking six idols, police were quoted as saying on Saturday.

Some 30-35 people attacked the Sri Sri Rahshakali temple in Ashrafdi village in Naranaganj district on Friday night, the bdnews24 web site quoted a police official as saying.

They also damaged four adjacent houses and injured five people, it said.

Police officer Mohammed Yunus Ali said the temple was attacked following an altercation between a Hindu and three youths in the village. A case has been registered, the official said.

Both of two businessmen have a land of the middle of Rajshahi city. In front of their land have a small piece of land (one and half Katha) which of owner Hindu minority Gopal Ram and Noresh Ram (both of are brother). One side of the land has a small wheat broken factory. Other side they have been living in a small room. But, the influentials businessmen were wanted to buy this land of piece for increasing their multistoried building. Owner of that land was denied to sell it. After then the influentials were making conspiracy to evict from hereditary homestead of them and to grab this land. For this they wanted to use Army men.

On 1st January, 2010 Gopal Ram told, this was a house. My older mother was living here. But, the influentials was destroyed it. When they were doing vandalizing my mother and a daughter of my brother were inside of this house. They would be killed, fortunately they were safe. By brutally they were attacked in the night (at around 3.00am). We were afraid and anxious. Even our lives were hard to safe. In that time nobody was helped us.
They were vandalized our factory and room. A portion of the factory was safe. But, two third portion of our room was destroyed. After this my mother was died few days ago only for overwhelmed with grief of house. Still we are in front of torture. By any means we have been staying here with the life of hand. Of the factory have 440 power lines. It is very risky. In every rainy season here comes horrible scenario. In that time no one can live here. But, we have no alternative.

He also mentioned that, still we werent getting justice. Wife of Gopal Ram told, they were looted chair, table, an almirah and other furnitures. Gopal Ram said, many places I went for help even administration. But nobody helped me.

He added that, they were made their multistoried building wall after broken our wall and room. Our house was fine and quite. But suddenly, terrorists group were came here and destroyed. Before that they were threatened to us. I went to local police station and informed to them. The police came and gone after investigation. Later again police was called me. Then I went to the police station with all of our papers. They were took and looking that papers. But, they didnt take any action.

In this way many days have passed. Then again the attackers were threatened to us. At a stage they were vandalized our room during their building was making. They were destruction our wall by land ditch in side of our house wall. I was tried to protect. I was informed to police and local elites. But, they didnt take initiative to protect us. Then I was filed a case. I was seeking security from government. The court was an ordered in favor of me. In spite of one day they were attack and rampage our house and factory in the day light. Around thousand people were took part that operation. Haran and Petar also were present in that time. They were possession some portion of our land. When my wife was tried to protect them then they were attempt to murder her. Again I went to the police station. Then police was come to the spot. But, police was told me that, you have to compromised with them. I told, why and what compromised? Where, I would go. I have a bit of land. By this land we are living and doing something for our lives. I have no alternative to operate for the family. But, they have made their building. I was obtained Court decree from Sadar court and from district Judge Court. Indeed, administration could nothing for us. I have continuing the case. But, the opponents have taking time again and again. I have in great trouble. My demand is the, government should to do something for us. We want justice. We are mentally upset. How long we would wait for justice? How would we alive?

Wife of Gopal Ram told, since 2001we are under torture, panic. They didnt take me some time for cooking. They want to kill us by set fire. They told us that, nobody could anything to them. We have power, we have money. We would manage all the things by money.

She also said, they are waiting for chance again. With children we are under torturing. In spite of have law but we didnt get benefit from law. From administration, police, court anywhere we didnt get helped. To every where they were giving money. Then all of their mouth has stopped. Even an army officer was come and told us that we would destruction your house. Though case has running in the court.

Even considering the migrating population to India, 20 million Hindus are missing in Bangladesh. This is a saga of Hindu genocide in Bangladesh that hasn't been brought into light before.]

Hindus comprised nearly 30% of the total population in Bangladesh in 1947. After the exodus of minorities following the partition of India in 1947, the hindu population went down to about 22% by 1951. Due to unabated persecution, intimidation, and forcible conversion to Islam, the Hindu-Minority population kept on dwindling and now stands at a meager 10.5% of the total population in Bangladesh (1991 census).

Interesting to note that minority Muslim population in adjoining West Bengal (India) showed a positive growth rate and according to 1991 Census, stood at nearly 24% of the total population from only about 12% in 1947.

India and West Bengal Census Data

Source: Census of India 1991 (http://www.censusindia.net/), Data Source : 1991 Census of India

Table 29: Population of India since 1901 Census

Table 24: Three Main Religions in every state, (India, 1991)

Hindus              687,646,721      82.00 %

Muslims            101,596,057      12.12  %

Christians          19,640,284        2.34 %

846,302,688      (Total)

West Bengal (1991)

Hindus              50,866,624        74.7 % (1961 : 78.8%, decreased 4.1%)

Muslims            16,075,836        23.6 % (1961 : 20%, increased 3.6%)

Christians          383,477 0.6 %    (1961 : 0.5%, increased 0.1%)

West Bengal (1961-1991)

Year     Total     Hindu    Muslim  Chrsn    Others

1961     34.92    78.8      20.0      0.5        0.1

1991     68.07    74.7      23.6      0.5        0.6

Bangladesh

In Bangladesh, hindu population was 28% in 1941; 22% in 1951, 18.5% in 1961; 13.5% in 1974;

12.2% in 1981 and 10.5% in 1991. Hindu population decreased by 8% from 1961 to 1991 (Ref 1, 2).

The vanishing minority population is understood from researching the census documents published the government. Fifty years ago in 1941, 28.3 per cent of the total population was minorities. The population of Hindu was 11.88 millions, while 588 thousand was other religious and ethnic minorities (Buddhist, Christian and animist). Evaluation of government statistics of 50 years, from 1941 to 1991, indicates a large drop in the figure for minorities. A comparative picture shows that the number of the Muslim majority increased 219.5 per cent while the Hindu community increased by 4.5 per cent. (Ref 3).

If normal increase rate prevailed, the number of the Hindu community in this country would have been 32.5 million, but the Hindu population in Bangladesh stood at 12.5 million in 1991 Census (State of Human Rights, 1994). Therefore the missing population is 20 million. (Ref 3).

Ethnic Cleansing In Bangladesh

Ethnic cleansing of minorities in Bangladesh  (then East Pakistan) started in 1947. Over half-a-century has passed with no end is in sight. Minorities in Bangladesh,  including women and children were subjected to extreme brutality and torture following the last National Election in Bangladesh held in October 2001, forcing many families to migrate out of their  ”Homeland of generations” for physical safety. In the recent past, there have been several cases of brutal killings of prominent members of minority communities in the strategic Chittagong and its Hill Tracts, by armed gang of Islamic fanatics. Significantly, these tragic incidents were perpetrated in the wake of Santu Larma – Khaleda Zia high-level talks at Dhaka on April 20, for establishing permanent peace in the said region. That very day in Rangamati (CHT), an armed gang of Bnp-Jei backed ‘United People’s Democratic Front’ (Updf) attacked pro-Larma Chakma tribals resulting in the death of four Chakma Buddhists. Next day (April 21), at Vill. Hingla in Rouzan locality of Chittagong, Gyanjyoti Borooah (55 yrs), a locally popular Buddhist Monk, running an Orphanage / Monastery was brutally killed. Thereafter on April 28/29, another Chakma Buddhist named Gyandarshi Chakma was shot dead at village Babupara in Mahalchhari (Cht). One of his companion sustained bullet wounds. The same night,  Madan Gopal Goswami, a Hindu Priest of  was gunned down in Gachhabil area of Manikchhari (Cht). These cases of utmost brutality generated strong resentment among local Chakmas and Hindus.

Some “recent” incidents (2002)

( 1 )    20th April 2002, at Moulavibazar district of Bangladesh, in Laxmipur village under Kulaur Police station several armed Muslim fundamentalists attacked the houses of Dulal Debnath and Jitendra Debnath, both members of the Hindu minority community. The houses were set ablaze. The group of miscreants led by Iuyas Mian of Balichiri village forcefully captured their lands. A case has been filed against them at the Kulaur police station.

( 2 )    8th May, 2002, N. M. Jahangir Alam-A well known journalist of the newspaper Sambad which is published from Dhaka, was beaten up by Muslim fundamentalists. Because he was accused of publishing several news, reporting the poor conditions of the Hindu minority of Bangladesh. He filed a case at the near by Police Station but the police did not show the any interest in arresting the miscreants

( 3 )    5th May, 2002-in the morning, At the Dolu Bridge area situated in the Shattkaniya sub-district of South Chattagram, a group of Muslim fundamentalists kidnapped Rupam Mullick, a Hindu resident and damaged his arms and legs.

( 4 )    23rd May, 2002, near Sadhurpara situated at the Chandgaon police station of Chattagram, the local Muslim fundamentalists forcefully captured the lands owned by a Hindu widow Charubala Nath (80).

( 5 )    8th May, 2002,-in Narikelbaria village of Bakharpara sub-district situated at Jessore, a local Muslim extreamist, Saiful along with Kabir and other fundamentalists demanded, more than 1 lakhs takas (U.S. $2,000) as Jizya tax (tax imposed by non-Muslims on Muslims) from a business Subodh Saha. But Subodh refused to pay the tax. As a result the fanatics took a glass bottle fill with hot water and vehemently beat Subodh with it. He was badly injured. His two legs were damaged. Another person called Bablu Saha, who came to protect Subodh was also beaten up.

( 6 )    10th May, 2002, at night, a Hindu journalist named Manik Mazumdar’s office was destroyed by a group of right wing Muslim fundamentalists. Manik Mazumdar is the president of reporter’s union of Madhukhali sub-district in Faridpur.

( 7 )    25th April, 2002, 9 o’clock at morning in Thakurgaon district, Chandramohan Sarkar, headmaster of Shapla Adarsha Uchcha Vidyalaya was forcefully resigned from his post because of being a Hindu, by Muslim fundamentalists.

( 8 )    7th May, 2002, at the Shathkhira sub-district, in the Sreerampur village a Hindu housewife was raped by a reactionary Muslim fanatic named Shafiqul Islam. A case has been filed but no adequate action has been taken by the police against the accused.

( 9 )    9th May, 2002, at night, a Hindu religious place-”Aditya Asram” situated in the Khashipur village under the Banshkhali police station of Chattagram was demolished by some Muslim activists. A group of 30 to 40 muslim fundamentalists along with sharp weapons attacked the ”Aditya Asram”. The priest of the temple-Pradipananda Purimoharaj was deeply injured by the fundamentalists. The property of the ”Ashram” has been looted taken away by the attackers.

( 10 )    4th May 2002, at night, near the Biyanibazar of Sulhet district, a Hindu Brahmin girl of the Uttabhag village has been kidnapped by a group of Muslim fundamentalists and raped mercilessly. 5th May, the villagers rescued her but she was totally senseless.

( 11 )    3rd May, 2002, at night, in Kumilya district of Bangladesh Brajendra Bhowmick, a Hindu villager of Haludia situated under Mujaffargunge Union was attacked by armed right wing Muslim fundamentalists. The houses of Subhash Chandra Bhowmick, Nakul Chandra Bhowmick and Bimalendu Bhowmick have been set a blaze. The local police station is still indifferent regarding the incident.

( 12 )    8th May, 2002, at night, in the Nator district of Bangladesh, the villagers of Bashantapur at Shingra sub-district were attacked by armed Muslim extremists. The houses of Niren, Nitai, Atul, Prabhat, Dinesh, Ajit, Krishna, Jitendra, Basudev and Sukumar, all Hindus were looted. The families have decided to leave Bashantapur for India.

( 13 )    Recently, near the Patuakhali sub-district of Bangladesh, at Khachipara and Kalishuri village of Banpual-the Hindu minorities have been forcibly interned at their homes to keep them under observation. Shishutosh Dash, Bhabaranjan Das, Debendranath Sarkar and Hiron Kumar Sarkar were forced to sign and give away all their houses and properties to the Muslim fundamentalists. They only cried in silence and left their land to move away to any other place.

( 14 )    20th April, in evening, at Uttapara sub-distict of Shirajgunga a Hindu clothes merchant, Nitai Sarkar has been attacked by some muslim exrremsits. Clothes from his shop were stolen that valued nearly, 1 lakh (U.S. $ 2,000) takas. Being mercilessly beaten he is now under treatment.

( 15 )    15th April 2002, in the Chagal Naiya sub-distict of Pheni district, Khrishna Das (60) and Ujjal Das (27) Hindu vilagers of Sattar village has been severely tortured by local right wing Muslim fundamentaliss, because they refused to pay the jizya tax according to their demands.

( 16 )    20th May 2002, at Bargauna district of Bangladesh, in Bukabania Zabar of Bamma sub-distrcits some Hindu owned lands surrounding a temple were captured by the Muslim partymen. They belonged to the fundamentalists group of the Bangladesh National Party. They have started to build their party office in that area.

Forceful Conversion of Two  Minor Hindu Girls to Islam-Attack on Family Members:

Monday, August 05,  2002

Two  minor Hindu girls, namely Miss Sushma Rani Malo (15 year old), daughter of Shri  Anil Chandra Malo and Miss Putul Rani Malo (15 year old), daughter of  ShriMonoranjan  Malo of village Kulpaddy, Police Station and District of Madaripur, were  kidnapped from their houses one kilometer from Madaripur police station. The  guardians of the victims described in a very heart-rending manner to Advocate  Rabindra Ghosh, President HRCBM, Dhaka, Bangladesh, that their minor daughters  were students of Class VIII. The minor girls were kidnapped by some Muslims of  the same village, led by the Imman of Madaripur Sadar Hospital Mosque. They were  forced to sign an affidavit that they are 19 years of age and they wanted to  convert to Islam at their own will on 25th of July, 2002. In addition, they were  allured and detained and compelled by some Muslims of the same locality, particularly the supporters of Jamal-E-Islami Party, to swear an affidavit by a  Notary Public at Madaripur. The victims, Putul Rani Malo and Sushma Rani Malo,  came back to their parents on 25th July, 2002, in the evening. On hearing the  news that the two girls had gone back to their parents some Jamal-E-Islamic  supporters numbering about 250/300 surrounded the houses of the victim-girls at  about 11 P.M. at night. The criminals started assaulting Arun Chandra Malo(26),  brother of victim Sushma Rani Malo. Arun Chandra Malo sustained severe injuries  on the lower portion of the eyes, which were still visible after 8 days. He was  under the treatment of local doctor. Ultimately those two victim girls were again kidnapped by the Muslim criminals on 26th July, 2002. The police and law enforcement authorities did neither provide any protection to the girls and  their families nor arrested the criminals. Not only that the miscreants with the  help of some police officials of Madaripur police station tactfully obtained an  undertaking from the guardians of the victim girls that they do not like to  lodge any complain with the police and they did not take any cases against the  criminals. Advocate Rabindra Ghosh finally was successful in filing two F.I.R.’s  with the Madaripur Police Station during his visit.

Advocate Mr. Ghosh pointed to the Deputy Commissioner  that the consent of any minor, according to law, is no consent and the date of  birth of the victims proved that they were minors. So the consent obtained by  the criminals by an affidavit in the Notary Public has got no force in law.  Until and unless the minor becomes 18 years of age she is not capable to give  consent as per the latest ruling of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. It is quite astonishing to note that the “No objection certificate” obtained by some police  officers tactfully from the simple-minded and law-abiding guardians of the  victims are very much unwarranted and without jurisdiction; and for this  deceitful endeavor on the part of any law-enforcing agencies are highly  reprehensible and punishable under law. It is also astonishing to note that  while the victim girls were kidnapped from a house by the miscreants the police was silent and they were allowed to organize processions in the locality in the  name of religion and promote violence and intolerance. Mr. Ghosh requested the  Deputy Commissioner of Madaripur to hand over the minor victims to the legal  guardians but no actions have yet been taken. A serious tension is prevailing in  the area and the minorities fear for their life and security.

3 injured as  Islamic terrorists attack Christian Para (locality) in Barisal : March 23rd, 2002

UNB,  Barisal

Armed terrorists attacked  the Christian-dominated area at Kashipur on the outskirts of the town yesterday,  leaving three people injured, one witness said the hoodlums numbering around 10 swooped on the Christian Para at Icchakati at about 11 am  and ransacked a house belonging to Badal Baidya. During the raid,  they also stabbed three people, including Liton Sadhu, when they tried to resist  them. Liton was admitted to Barisal Sher-e-Bangla Medical College Hospital “in  critical condition”

Terrorists attack houses of Christian  community in Pabna : February 28th, 2002

PABNA, Feb 27: At least 20 people were injured as some terrorists allegedly attacked and damaged several  houses of Christian community members in two villages of Chatmohor Upazila in  the district on Tuesday night, reports UNB. Local people said the violence started when one Susanta Modal of village Kadamtol refused to pay money allegedly to some cadres of JCD, the student wing of ruling BNP, for buying  liquor. Refusal to pay money made the cadres angry and they went on the rampage  assaulting Susanta. Ten people were injured and four houses ransacked in the  attack, according to sources.

Gang rape continues at  Naugaou, minority girls appeal for justice: February  13th, 2002

Daily  Janakantha dated 13th February, 2002

Naugaou: After brutal gang  rape of minority girl Purnima at Ullapara, another Purnima has become the victim  of gang rape at Niamatpur under Naugaou. Terrorists armed with lethal country made weapon burst into the house of Mr. Gajendra Nath Sarkar at mid night, the miscreants went on rampage at the house kicking and punching family members  first and then forcefully kidnapped Ms. Babita Rani Sarkar, holding the family  at gunpoint. Next morning, the miscreants dropped off the subdued and tormented  body of Ms. Babita who was seriously wounded but alive. Terrorist warned the  local minorities for stern punishment if the incident is reported to police.  This incident further instigated fear among minorities at Bhahadurpur village.  To escape humiliation and save their females minorities are sending out all the  young girls and women to relatives in towns. Ignoring all the warnings, oppression and torture of miscreants, Ms. Babita, a student of class ten in  local school and her family decided to file case in the local police station.  The brave girl identified one “Shariful” among eight evildoers. Police has  arrested Shariful and Ahidur Rahman while writing this report. Ms. Babita has  now taken refuge to the residence of her maternal uncle at Mandar Bevbra  village. Latter Police Superintendent Mr. Mustafijur Rahman visited the village  assuring the safety of minorities there but locals said minorities never been  safe since the last election. Some also stated that Babita’s distant sister was also gang raped earlier but administration has not done enough to endow justice.

References :

1] Bangladesh A Country Study, Ed. J.Heitzman R.L.Worden, 2nd Ed, Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, Publisher U.S. Army, 1989, pp.250,255

2] Encyclopedia Britannica, 15 th Ed, Micropedia, Vol.1, p.789 Desh.

3] State of Minorities in Bangladesh : From Secular to Islamic Hegemony : Saleem Samad

http://www.mnet.fr/aiindex/ssamad_Bangaldesh.html

Several other human rights related web sites.

Hindus Greet Jews

Acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a release in Nevada (USA) today, expressed warmest greetings on Hanukkah festival, wishing happiness, peace and joy to all the Jews.

Zed, who is the president of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that all religions should work together for a just and peaceful world. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment, he added.

Hanukkah (Hebrew word for “dedication”), with origins in second century BCE, begins on 25 Kislev and is observed by kindling of lights of Menorah. It celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, of purity over adulteration, and of spirituality over materiality. It also refers to a legend of one day’s supply of the holy oil miraculously lasting eight days.

Judaism is a monotheistic religion of world’s about 14 million Jews whose most sacred text is Torah. Hinduism, oldest and third largest religion of the world, has about one billion adherents and moksha (liberation) is its ultimate goal.

Ramna Kali Mandir

The Ramna Kali Mandir was destroyed by the Pakistan Army in March 1971.The destruction of this temple was, ironically, a sign of the advent of tougher times for Hindus of Bangladesh. Hundreds of people who had taken shelter inside the temple were slaughtered as were hundreds of thousands of others throughout the country. Swami Paramananda Giriji, the priest, held on to the deity and prayed till the very end when he was burned alive by Pakistani forces.

The destruction of the temple and the accompanying slaughter is not just another dark blot on history; it is the symbol of cruelty and tyranny almost unparalleled in history. The iconic images of Sheikh Mujib addressing massive crowds in the 7th March 1971 rally prominently show the Ramna Kali Mandir in the background. The picture indeed promised a secular, free Bangladesh. Alas, it was not to be. The minorities of Bangladesh have been victimized throughout post independence history.

The Ramna Kali Mandir must be rebuilt at the same spot where it originally stood. Bangladesh governments in the recent past have promised to rebuild the temple but not at the original site. The temple must be rebuilt at the original site. This cannot be compromised.

The Hindu community must come together with renewed zeal to pursue the construction of the great temple. The demand for construction of the temple at it’s original site can become a national movement. The success of the Ramna Kali Mahamandir movement can well be symbolic of the Hindus of Bangladesh. With the successful construction of the temple, the Hindu community of Bangladesh will no doubt be filled with renewed zeal and unity to find their right, respectful place in Bangladeshi society.

The temple must be, as proposed, accompanied with a memorial; a reminder to our future generations. The temple must be of a scale no less than it’s original form. Let this temple be the pivot of the Hindu movement in Bangladesh.

Update: Feb 01, 2010

Correction from Ratib: Bangabandhu removed the LAST stones of the temple, NOT the Pak Army, but BANGABANDHU removed the last stones, laid grass on the land, confiscated it from the Hindu Board, and gave it to The Dhaka Club

Hindu Women Raped

The plight of the Hindu community of Bangladesh is disturbing. Regularly, one hears about attacks on Hindus and atrocities on women and children of Hindus. Temples and Hindu establishments also routinely face the brunt of extremists in Bangladesh. The role of the Bangladesh government has always been fishy. BNP or Awami League, it doesn’t really make much of a difference. The Hindu community of Bangladesh are apparently forced to live as second class citizens.

What is the reason for this? The rise of Islamic extremism has obviously led to the present scenario. But who are responsible for the rise of hardline islamics? The answer is—successive Bangladesh governments. They have forgotten the pillars on which the Bangla nation was formed. The ideology of those very extremists who supported Pakistan during the ’71 Liberation war is prospering. The secular, progressive credentials of Bangladesh have been long consigned to the dustbin of history. Politically, the situation is bound to worsen. Let Hindus not have any hope from the government.

Then what is the solution? Apparently, Hindus in Bangladesh face a problem; a problem of survival and life of safety, respect and dignity; and this problem needs a solution. The solution; or at least a step towards the solution; would be—Political empowerment.

The Hindus must aim to become a political force in the country. They must be united in quest of this goal. The community must vote for a consensus candidate and when Hindus are attacked or threatened, the community must hit the streets together. The Hindus must have no hesitation in becoming a “vote bank”. The Hindus must, as a primary goal, seek to make themselves relevant to the extent that they can influence 50-60 seats in the Jatiya Sangsad. Then and only then will their voice be heard loud and clear. And in these attempts, the Hindus must bring with them the other minorities of Bangladesh.

The future of Hindus is in the hands of the Hindus. Let us ensure that we decide our fate, not others.

Yoga: For a Stable Mind & Body

British actress Anastasia Griffith (Solitary Man), 31, who is a big fan of yoga and does meditation also, thinks “yoga can help really to keep you centered, keep you grounded, keep you focused”.

Brazilian actress Morena Baccarin (Way Off Broadway), 30, reportedly said: “I like Jivamukti yoga, which is really hard and acrobatic, but there’s a lot of meditation too, which is nice.”

MTV Award winner American model-actress-singer Carmen Electra (Starsky & Hutch), 37, was reportedly spotted doing yoga moves while holidaying in Greece.

BAFTA winner actress Thandie Newton (Crash), 37, reportedly considers herself “yoga freak”. Cesar Award winner French actress-singer Vanessa Paradis (La fille sur le pont), 36, and actress Rebecca Gayheart (Bunny Whipped), 38, also practice yoga.

But acclaimed Hindu statesman Rajan Zed argues that ‘yoga’ has come to only mean in the entertainment world as ‘modern postural yoga’, while it actually is a mental and physical discipline by means of which the human-soul (jivatman) unites with universal-soul (parmatman).Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, further says that some sages have described yoga as the silencing of all mental transformations, which leads to the total realization of the Supreme Self. Some have used yoga attempting to gain liberation by removing all sensory barriers. According to Patanjali, author of the basic text, the Yoga Sutra, who codified yoga after being founded by Yajanavalkya, yoga is a methodical effort to attain perfection, through the control of the different elements of human nature, physical and psychical.

Rajan Zed has urged entertainment celebrities to explore the spiritual dimension of yoga also besides its physical benefits. Yoga is based on an eightfold path to direct the practitioner from awareness of the external world to a focus on the inner, which includes yama, niyama, asana, pranayama, pratyahara, darana, dhyana, and samadhi. ‘Raja-adhiraja-yoga’ (king of kings yoga) or ‘maha yoga’ is the highest form of yoga through which mind is free from anger, lust, fear, greed, jealousy, and melancholy.
Prominent Hollywood screenwriter Charlie Kaufman reportedly once said in an interview that while doing yoga, everything was in the present tense. Celebrity interest in yoga, which is referred as “a living fossil”, has definitely fueled the hype resulting in its explosive growth. According to an estimate, about 15 million Americans now do yoga.

Freedom of Religion

A Malaysian Muslim woman, named S. Banggarma (27), who was converted to Islam at the age of 7 is fighting to be recognized as a Hindu. She claims that although she was given a Muslim name, she led her life as a Hindu. She told AFP, “I have always stuck to my Hindu roots and practised all the traditions,’ she told AFP. “I was born as a Hindu, I have lived as a Hindu and I will die as a Hindu.”

This is a very problematic matter in Malaysia. The vicious anti-conversion laws make it almost impossible for Muslims to convert to other faith. We sincerely hope the Malaysian authority let this woman practice Hinduism and to be recognized as a Hindu.

Islamic extremism is rising in Malaysia. There has been instances such as banning yoga for Muslims. This is an ongoing struggle that the Muslim countries all over the world is facing. The minorities and liberals are being subjugated and persecuted. We will be following this news and update accordingly.

Source:  Dawn

New Delhi, India (AHN) – Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper ended his three-day visit to India on Wednesday by praying for world peace at the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the BAPS Swaminarayam Akshardham Temple.

It is the world’s largest Hindu temple in New Delhi. Amritsar in northern India is considered the spiritual center of Indian Sikhs.

The prime minister, in his farewell speech, said he came to India extending a hand of friendship and with the aim of starting an era of stronger relations between Ottawa and New Delhi.

Harper said, “We have a solid foundation to build upon. The bonds between Canada and India are strong and plentiful. We are both democratic federal states that have forged cohesive societies out of ethnically, spiritually and linguistically diverse populations. And we are both nations whose aspirations are being realized through the ingenuity and the resiliency of our people.”

He said among the steps taken by Canada and India to reach their common goals are the signing of two agreements made during his visit. The deal involves the establishment of a possible free trade agreement and cooperation on energy.

Source: AllHeadlineNews

General Zia and his predecessors introduced persecution against the minorities in Bangladesh. Bangladesh became Islamized under the military regime, rather than being a true parliamentary democracy. Bangladesh was not born with the blessing of being united beyond ethnic and religious differences, but rather has been Islamized, yet with a secular policy.

Religious minority oppression is a common phenomenon in Bangladesh. Every day, minority oppression is growing at an alarming rate. Yet our government is not doing its duty to safeguard the minority groups. Why aren’t they doing something to stop minority torture? We don’t know. But we have been seeing that most of the perpetrators are linked with the ruling party. People think that the present government may be turning a blind eye at minority issues. We want to say clearly that the people do not want to see the issue ignored, but rather, that they want to see peace and happiness.

Torture of minorities continues as we talk. When will it come to an end, and why doesn’t the government take action against the perpetrators of minority torture? In Bangladesh, every day, there have been cases of murder, attempted murder, torture, and other forms of inhumanity. Is Bangladesh a democratic and civilized country? How can we say that it’s a civilized and democratic country?

In Bangladesh, crimes against humanity have become widespread, especially against minorities. Almost every day, minority people leave for the neighbor country, India. Minority women are constantly afraid for their security. Peace, good governance, rule of law, and democracy are nonexistent in Bangladesh. Perpetrators get impunity from the state. As a result, there is a constant increase in all kinds of criminal activities in our dear Bangladesh. At the same time, sectarianism has increased rapidly. And our religious minorities are suffering.

Majority Muslims are occupying the minorities’ lands, torturing them, and raping their women. It is a common practice. Everything has been happening in front of the eyes of the government. The present ruling party is always telling us that they are nonsectarian. Yet, they are failing to stop minority oppression, and the torture of minorities is still happening in Bangladesh.

We see from the media that ruling party members are taking away land that belongs to minorities. The people of Bangladesh have not forgotten the oppression of minorities that took place after the general election of 2001. It is true that our minority peoples faced grievous trouble under the BNP/Jamaat-E-Islam alliance government that ruled from 2001 to 2006. During that regime, BNP/Jamaat party members were committing murder, rape, and vandalism against minorities.

Bangladesh was born as a nation after nine months of fighting for freedom. With independence, four main components were established for the nation, namely, democracy, nationalism, secularism, and socialism. With an almost good constitution, Bangladesh was beginning to make progress forward. However, the constitution did not recognize our indigenous communities. Even today, indigenous peoples are not recognized by the constitution. The present government has the support of the majority in Bangladesh; if they wanted to reestablish 1972 constitution, it would be no problem for them. But the government has been in power for ten months, and they still haven’t taken any steps in that direction.

Under the force of Islamization, the preamble of Bangladesh’s constitution has been amended to include the words “…pledging that the high ideals of absolute trust and faith in the Almighty Allah…”, and, in the process, the word “secularism” has been dropped. The constitution, in fact, begins with the words “Bismillah-ar-rahman-ar-rahim”, which means “In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,” which words come from Islam. In Bangladesh, the completion of Islamization is happening everywhere.

In this situation, we demand that the unconstitutional provision concerning a state religion in the Constitution of Bangladesh be repealed. All activities of discrimination, disparity, arrests, torture, detention, and oppression against religious minorities, as well as all people in general, shall have to be stopped. We don’t want a religious state; we want a secular and democratic state, based on Bengali nationalism in the light of the four fundamental principles of the state that motivated the Bangladesh Liberation War and that constituted the dream of the father of the nation, Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Jammat-E-Islam is a communal party in Bangladesh, which was involved with war criminalities. BNP also has been upholding their non-secular attitude, which has introduced ‘Bismilla’ to our secular constitution. BNP-Jammat torture and kill our minority, it’s a natural, because they are fundamentalists. Though, this government is well known as a minority friendly government, but instead, minority repression is going on unabated. It’s very unfortunate to secular peoples.

International religious freedom commission of US state department was published a report on human rights situation of Bangladesh, recently. They were given a big certificate to the present government of Bangladesh about the human rights. According to the report, the human rights situation is going on good place especially the minority oppression is decreasing. The state department of US, how they said the human rights situation has improving in Bangladesh? We don’t know, but real scenario is reversed.

In Bangladesh, practical situation of human rights has not well like the report of US state department. Almost every day, there are violating the human rights with various form. The minority community especially the Hindu and the Christian peoples are in panic. Different places of the country have been happening minority repression.

We can give some examples for minority repression in this present government regime. A school teacher Akhil Chandra Saha was killed by miscreants at Charghat in Rajshahi on 30th June. After this killing the minority peoples of 21 Hindu families of Miapur village has been panic. A sensational minority oppression incident was happened in this regime on August. Armed local criminals picked up Nitai Chandra Das, 70, his cousin Shambhu Das, 50, Shambhu’s wife Kajol Rani Das, 42, her son Sajal, 14, and daughter Swarna, 8, Shambhu’s brother Mohabir Das, 45, his wife Lakshmi Rani Das, 38, her daughters Beauty, 18, and Sweety, 12, from their houses and confined them to the workshop.

The criminals also looted belongings including gold ornaments from the victims’ houses. A poor Hindu young people Ashish Sarker, 25 was abducted and murdered by miscreants on 1st July at Mirzapur in Tangail. A Hindu businessman named Sumon Goala (25) was abducted and murdered at Pearpur –Jamalpur Sadar on 2nd part of June. A Hindu woman, Ms.Radha Rani Halder, 28 was gang raped recently in Shoriotpur. Perpetrators attacked four Hindu families, vandalized their deities while attackers tried to occupy cremation ground belonging to Hindus on 3rd July at Palash Upazila of Narsingdi District. 10 persons including women and children were seriously injured due to abrupt attack.

On 16th July some miscreants have stolen valuables and desecrated Kali Temple demolishing the deity at Raroa Kali Temple at Gopalpur within Sherpur Upazila of Bogra District of Bangladesh. A Hindu housewife Anguri Biswas, 23 was abducted forcefully and taken to other places for killing or for trafficking on 2nd July, 2009 at Rajoir in Madaripur district. A group of hoodlums with the leadership of Hafizur Rahman Hafiz andhis elder brother Azizur Rahman Aziz – Cultural Secretary of Juba League (Youth Organisation of Awami League) Nalitabari Upazila underSherpur district on August forcefully occupied seven decimals of lands belonging to a Hindu owner- Surjya Kanta Debnath. In this connection allegations received from the victim’s family that two shops were demolished and their daughter Ms.Lipi Debnath was physically assaulted during operation.

In same month twenty Minority families are on run because of continuous kidnapping of women/children and forceful collection of money at Sonagazi-Feni District. It is learnt that some perpetrators namely Jafar, Seraj, Younus, Saiful, Ripon, Sabuj, Selim, Nasir and more 20-22 miscreants were regularly collecting illegal money from 20 to 22 Hindu families. If they refuse to pay money to miscreants then repression and threat starts.

A gang of criminals attacked three Hindu families in the Dighalkandi Sahapara village of the Puthia subdistrict of Rajshahi on the night of August 31, injuring 12 people. Sources said, the hoodlums also looted five houses and shops during the attack, in an attempt to take land away from those families. The injured included Profulla Chandra Saha, his wife Bijli Rani Saha, his brother Bijoy Saha, Sukumar, Chand, and Nomita, who were admitted to Puthia Health Complex in critical condition.

Around 30 perpetrators, believed to be BNP-Jamaat cadres, attacked and damaged the houses of Vanpuller Bijoy, Sukumar, and Uttam. They also looted Sukumar’s grocery store and the stitching shop of Uttam’s wife, Nomita, during the attack. Local sources said that men from the neighboring village of Kacharipara beat up two youths – Nayan and Sujon – at Sahapara on Aug. 27, 2009. Following the incident, a total of 35 people from 10 Hindu families filed a general report with the local police station, expressing their anxiety.

A minority women picked up and gang-raped while she was asleep with her husband Sagor Das at Sathiya Upazilla at Pabna district on October. Ms.Purnima Rani –daughter of Dulal Roy of Chitra Para-Joypurhat town was missing having false promise of matrimonial function with Hindu boy. The Muslim perpetrator is a relative of a very powerful Juba League Leader of Joypurhat. Ms.Purnima Rani could not be recovered despite desperate arbitration with the powerful Awami League Leaders was held several times.

Sometimes, the police on duty also neglect to register any case against those perpetrators. Although case was registered after hectic endeavour, but the perpetrators start intimidating the victim’s family constantly. So, a sense of insecurity amongst the Hindu communities prevails. It also indicates a forceful conversion after allurement and false personification. Similarly Ms.Nabami Sarkar –daughter of Akhil Sarkar of village Aimar Rasulpur have been the victim of fraudulent events of such circumstances and Ms.Krishna Rani and Ms. Prativa Rani of Govindapur also become target of such trend.

A process of fraudulent conversion with intent to deceive minority girls is going on with Ms.Shika Debnath daughter of Ms.Mina Debnath of village Shaljune of the same Upazila. Police shows negative response on this particular minority issue if the case is filed at the respective police station. As discontentment prevailed amongst Hindu minorities then the police on 1st October most reluctantly detained Ms.Purnima Roy daughter of Dulal Roy with wearing Burkha under veil covered by her face and body.

Thereafter she was produced before court and the court sent her to judicial custody. A Muslim shrewd boy got a Hindu girl- Krisna Rani Protiva into a trap in the same village of Kusumba Union of Govindapur and later abducted her and absconding. The elder brother of the victim girl protested against this sort of trap and as a result the perpetrators on behalf of the Muslim boy assaulted the victim’s brother. In this connection although case was recorded but police kept them silent. Later on the local people recovered this unfortunate girl.

Sawpan Mondal, 40, a Hindu (Converted Christian) N.G.O. Employee was beaten to death at Soharwardy Uddayan (Ramna Kali Temple) by the some students of Dhaka University branded him to be an extortionist. On last 12th September a group of students of Dhaka University caught him and beaten him mercilessly. Day after morning Sawpan Mondal was died due to torture at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital during treatment. At least 25 Hindu families were evicted in this regime at Kalapara in Patuakhali.

According to the daily Star, Rajshahi Education Board Chairman Dipakendranath Das left the city on 30th August for Dhaka after filing general diaries with two police stations following threats on his life allegedly from the city Mayor A H M Khairuzzaman Liton. The Rajshahi mayor asked the board chairman repeatedly over the phone to upgrade his daughter’s SSC results, Dipakendranath alleged. Khairuzzaman also acknowledged that he had requested Dipakendranath to look into the result of his daughter but denied the allegation of threatening the board chairman.

In his identical GDs filed with Boalia and Rajpara police stations in Rajshahi the education board chairman alleged that he had been asked to leave Rajshahi forever over the phone since August 27. The callers also threatened him with death. He, however, refrained from mentioning names of any individual or party in his GDs. Earlier on August 27, the board chairman alleged that the city mayor threatened to transfer him if he did not entertain his request of upgrading his daughter’s SSC result. Anika Faria Zaman, the mayor’s daughter, secured GPA 4.56 in this year’s SSC examinations.

Dissatisfied with the result she along with 2300 other examinees appealed to the board for review of their results on June 22. As review results came out on August 9, some 23 examinees got their results changed but Anika’s results remained the same.The board chairman explained that Anika failed to get GPA 5 because she secured A minus in Bangla and obtained A in English, Mathematics and Chemistry. “There was no scope of reviewing her result as her review results had already been issued,” he said. Dipakendranath alleged that the mayor threatened him twice –on August 18 and 25 over the phone.

A gang led by Nur Hosssain Master of Soraigachhi attacked the houses of some 74 families including 54 indigenous families at Katirpur of Porsha upazila in Naogaon district on June 12. They torched, damaged and looted the houses and also randomly beat up indigenous men, women and children during the attack.

More than 50 people, including the member-secretary of the National Committee to Protect Oil, Gas, Mineral Resources, Power and Ports, Professor Anu Muhammad, were injured when police charged into marchers heading for Petrobangla headquarters in the capital on 2nd September in protest against the government’s decision to award three offshore blocks to international oil companies.

One bereaved Hindu family is prevented from lodging FIR at Rangunia police station due to continuous threat from murderers. Police trying to suppress the facts of murder, as a result perpetrators get impunity. On 24th July some perpetrators kidnapped Jatindra Lal Dey, 65, of village Sahandi Nagar Hindu Para and strangulated him to half dead and fled away putting him Rangunia Upazila Hospital. Jatindra died on way to Chittagong Medical College Hospital.

Allegations received from a group of minority communities at village Barman Para within Durgapur Upazila of Netrokona district on August regarding continuous repression against them. In a separate note of signatures condemning the atrocities against them singed by some minority communities it is alleged that a group of perpetrators were continuously committing crime against humanity including physical torture, rape, kidnapping and land grabbing, they also claimed that despite the local administration including their local Member of Parliament were informed asking them to stop continuous atrocities; although the local Member Parliament requested the Officer-in-charge of respective police station to take necessary steps it is unfortunate that no remedial measures taken by police and as such a case has been filed by Bimal Chandra Barman at Durgapur police station.

A Minority School girl belonging to Dalit family at Jessore district was gang raped while she was returning from attending “Kirtan” religious songs on July. The perpetrators dragged victim nearby garden and rape her one after another. In Bhola silent repression upon religious minorities are going on.

More than 100 women and children belonging to Hindus located at
Lord Hardinge 35 miles away from Lalmohan police station reported in
writing that some land grabbers belonging to Muslims with ill motive
instituted false cases in the court against those destitute
law-abinding Hindus enabling them to leave the country.

Because the Chief Judicial Magistrate-Bhola made judicial enquiry on July through a local High school Head Master who is reported to be a activist of Awami
League and took negative view and submitted false report against the
Hindus resulting which those unfortunate Hindus have been arrested
without any tangible allegations.

Although no enquiry was made about the allegations made against those Hindus with regard to their involvement of theft and other false allegations. Maching Khai Marma, 18, was raped then killed with a brick on May 8 in CHT. Goutam Sarker, 33 was killed on 28th September in Dhaka. He was a resident of 47 Farasganj Lane; Sutrapur.He was also the president of Awami Sechasebok League of 79 ward of Dhaka. Goutam was shot dead.

A Catholic family of the Dhaka diocese, under the St. Lawrence Catholic Church, was attacked by local Muslims on October 22. Some people fired guns aimed at the house of the Catholic family. After that, a complaint was filed to the local police station as well as to the state department of US by the victim family with the help of a NGO.

On the other hand, extra judicial killings are a very common matter, still. Another two persons were killed in extra judicial killings in the name of so-called gunfight with police in Sundarban of Bagerhat on 31st October. The killed are Altaf Hossain, 42, and Mizanur Rahman, 35, both residents of Chandrakhali at Rampal in the district.

With these latest incident took to 118 the total death figure from extrajudicial killing such as ‘crossfire’ or ‘encounter’ by the Rapid Action Battalion and the police after January 6 when the Awami League-led government assumed office. Though, the law minister, Barrister Shafique Ahmed told in the same day in a training programme on human rights, there should be initiatives to investigate any kind of extrajudicial killing, as the present government does not believe in such killings.

On 25-26th February at Pilkhana BDR headquarters some of BDR members were revolt and during that time they were mass killings to the meritorious army, looting their money, gold and other wealth’s, mass raped to army officers wife, daughter. By so-called mutineers killed at least 75 peoples including 58 meritorious army officers.

It was a gross human rights violation after the brutal killings of the father of the nation Bangabondhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Bangladesh.
We want to see fair trial about the real and accused mutineer. We know that, 48 BDR members already died after torture during the detention. Whole nation are waiting for see the justice regarding BDR mutiny. We also want to see the enquiry report about BDR mutiny and killings.

So, a big difference between US state department report and real situation of human rights and minority in Bangladesh. We want to an equal society where there will not torture, all kinds of human rights violation.

Why is the repression of minorities and indigenous peoples still going on in Bangladesh? Bangladesh’s Awami League is now in power. They have always gotten the minority and indigenous votes, with some exceptions. And it has been 38 years since Bangladesh became independent. Enemy or vested property is a black law and it’s a gross tool for minority repression. Our demand is that, this black law should be removed immediately and the ceased property should be returned to real owners or their relatives.

The patriotic journalist Manik Saha was killed by a bomb attack in 2004. Another honest journalist, Diponker Chakraborty from Bogura, was killed by terrorists. From Faridpur, the promising journalist Goutam Das was killed. Principal Gopal Krishna Muhury was killed. All Bengali people know about the young minority girl named Purnima who was gang raped in Sirajgonj. And these were all preplanned incidents. No investigations have taken place and justice had never been served against killing of indigenous community leaders, including Alfred Soren and Choles Ritchil.

We know Bangladesh has no actual democracy, rule of law or education. Most of the people are living in very poor conditions. The obvious problem is that, constitutionally, Islam is the only religion of Bangladesh. But in Bangladesh, there live Muslims, Hindus, Christians, and Buddhists. We have had a secular constitution since our country’s independence. After the killings of Bongobondhu, two generals ruled Bangladesh and made it a monolithic Islamic country.

We want the legitimate demands of the aboriginal and tribal communities to be fulfilled, including the preservation of their distinct cultures and heritage, and the implementation of the Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty. We want the return of vested property, with a provision of inheritance, to be implemented. We want the government to resist sectarianism, fundamentalism, and fanaticism and to put a stop to all kinds of religious discrimination, deprivation, atrocities, persecution, and harassment.

The attack on the religious minority brings with it the idea of “Islam in the constitution”. The communal spirit began with political motives and ended in mass destruction such as the attack on present Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina back in 2001. The victims of the brutal attack are still looking for justice. At that time also, a bomb attack killed 10 and badly injured 20 others at the Baniarhar Catholic church in Maksudpur, in the Gopalganj district.

In 1998, an indigenous leader, Alfred Soren, was brutally killed by those in power. The day of the attack, the perpetrators looted his house, destroyed his belongings, and set the house on fire. Until now, his family members and the public have never seen the light of justice. Cholesh Richil, an indigenous Christian leader, died in custody on March 18, 2007, following brutal torture at the hands of the army. Richil’s civil rights were grossly violated by government agents. It is puzzling why the government has not yet made a proper investigation to unearth the mystery behind this leader’s death. The perpetrators of this crime should not have impunity. The killing of Richil has not been filed as a criminal case to date.

From 1979 to 1981, the indigenous people of Bangladesh became cornered by landless people from the mainland in the process of their rehabilitation by the government. An ill-fated ten-year-old indigenous child, Klanto Chiham, was killed by brutal teachers after being tortured at Maymansingh. A dacoit, or robber, killed a Christian school teacher, Mangsang, at Madhupur in Tangail. A member of an even smaller minority, Dr. Goni Gomes, a converted Christian from Islam, was killed by Islamic militants.

Latest inhuman incident on the three minority families were happened in Natore of Bangladesh. According to the daily Sangbad, the perpetrators were tried to kills by set fire to the houses of minorities at Tazpur village in Singra upazila of Natore on 1st November, 2009 at night. After this, Rash Bihari was immediately admitted in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital. He was seriously injured with burnt. The houses of Ratan Ghosh, Nripen Ghosh and Batbihari Ghosh were totally burnt. In the midnight the attackers locked to the doors of the minorities from the outside. Then, they were set fire to the houses by the petrol.

Sources said, some local influential’s trying to grab to 200 Bigha lands of ‘Debottor’ since long time. On 24th October of this year a group of terrorists lead by an UP member Hasib and Sazedur Rahman Khan were attacked to the minorities at Tazpur village. They were ransacked houses of 12 minority families and they looted money and other wealth. At least 23 peoples including women and child were seriously injured by that attacked. The attackers also raped a minority woman. In this connection a case was filed against the attackers. Total 33 were accused with this case. The case was filed by Sreebash Halder.

The accused were getting bail from the court on 1st November. After that in the same night they were attacked again on the minority families at Tazpur village of Singra.

Another case was filed by Nogendranath Ghosh with Singra police station against attackers. But, attackers yet not arrest. The minority peoples are fear after again and again attacked on them. This incident has been remembering us to the Bashkhali incidents of Chittagong which was happened in the regime of BNP-Jammat government.

We urge the enlightened citizens of Bangladesh to be united and to do something for minority rights and security. Please forget politics. As human rights defenders, we should be impartial, universal, and dedicated to human rights.

The constitution does not give proper identity to the indigenous peoples. This is Bangladesh! We demand that these persecutions stop right now and that the government give all rights to the minority groups and bring the perpetrators to justice. Without real democracy, rule of law, and good governance, how can anyone have hope that the government will punish the real culprits and masterminds of minority torture and other human rights violations? We are waiting eagerly for the trial of war criminals, for the implementation of the verdict of Bangabondhu killers, and are waiting for the justice to be served to the killers of the four national leaders. We also want to see the current government reestablish the constitution of 1972 and stop mixing politics with religion.

Lastly, we want to demand that the government immediately form a public inquiry committee to investigate all cases of minority oppression and human rights violations that have occurred since independence. Again, only investigate is not enough; we think that those involved with minority oppression and human rights violations should be brought under justice. Otherwise, it will never be possible to establish the rule of law. If the government wants to take these actions, then it should, first of all, reestablish 1972 constitution. Secondly, it should immediately bring to trial cases involving war crimes, jail murders, and the Bangabondhu murder case, and should punish the accused. It also needs to take strict action to stop Islamic militants. Otherwise, there will be no peace and happiness.

We hope that the present government will take immediate action against minority and indigenous persecution. And our demand is that all the perpetrators should be brought under justice. Now there is a ‘democratic’ government. So, what is the problem in stopping minority torture and extrajudicial killings? Let us be united and fight and pressure the present government to stop minority repression and state torture.

Although the police initially rejected to assist the Hindu family later they caved in due to media pressure. They arrested four people behind this attack. While asked the police commissioner he declined to comment on this issue.

Our human rights worker in Bangladesh, William Gomes was on the scene taking a series of footage of this developing story. We were able to get a word from the State Minister, police commissioner and the family.

State Minister of Bangladesh on Minority persecution

The Hindu minority in Bangladesh describing the forceful abduction story

Police commissioner Dhaka

Adv.Rabindra GhoshPresident-Bangladesh Minority Watch (BDMW) was sent news which was published in the daily Sangbad. We have known that, Sangbad is an oldest newspaper in Bangladesh. And they have goodwill as a responsible journalism.

Properties belonging to Minorities at Sherpur District forcefully occupied by Juba League Leader on last Saturday, shops demolished; women injured (The daily Sangbad dated 10 August, 2009)

A group of hoodlums with the leadership of Hafizur Rahman Hafiz andhis elder brother Azizur Rahman Aziz – Cultural Secretary of Juba League (Youth Organisation of Awami League) Nalitabari Upazila underSherpur district on last Saturday morning forcefully occupied seven decimals of lands belonging to a Hindu owner- Surjya Kanta Debnath. In this connection allegations received from the victim’s family that two shops were demolished and their daughter Ms.Lipi Debnath was physically assaulted during operation.

But Juba League Leader denied the allegations of forceful occupation of lands, but he admitted that the lands purchased by his father and uncle were recovered. It is also alleged that since long there was a dispute between Surjya Kanta and Hafizur Rahman & Brothers with regard to seven decimals of lands situated at Garkanda Saha Para within Nalitabari Upazila. Surjya Kanta possessed the lands since long. But before forceful occupation Hafizur and Azizur were putting constant pressure to Hindu occupant to give up the lands.

But Surjya Kanta claimed that the seven decimals of lands were purchased from his maternal aunt- Ms.Khuki Bala and as such he is the real owner of the properties. And the claim of Hafizur is baseless and illegal. Advocate Sudhanshu Kumar Kaloar informed that a group of hoodlums armed with deadly weapon attacked the house of Surjya Kanta and demolished two shops belonging to Surja Kanta and assaulted Ms.Lipi Debnath and occupied the lands forcefully.

It is also learnt that this Juba League leader –Hafizur Rahman is the accused of charge sheeted case of murder of Yousuf and Takan who are also President and Secretary of Nalitabari Chatra League respectively killed by him on 25th October, 1999. This case has been stayed by order of the High Court Division.

Jahangir Alam Akash

Local Muslim extortionist Jafar ,Yunus ,Saiful ,Ripon and others demand regular extortion from local minority hindhu families of Kajir Hat and Keramotia village,when the minorities refused to give extortion money the extortionists start persecuting the minorities Said Nitia Das of Kalibari village

The extortionists sized 45 thousand taka from Nitia Das of Kalibari village, when the other hindhu minorities of the village refused to give extortion money the extortionists abducted a minority Hindu girl and later paying Fifteen thousand taka extortion money said Nitia Das of Kalibari village

Boloram Das a local minority Hindu said the extortionists forcefully abducted a young girl of our family, later we have paid twenty five thousand taka extortion money and they released the girl.

Boloram Das said the extortionist Yunus is now threatening to marry a minor Hindu girl forcefully.

Boloram Das said we have consulted with the local people to help us and to police but no one is helping us.

Boloram Das added that at least twenty minority Hindu families of our locality can not go back home for these extortionists.

Human rights activist Dipal Barua said the attacks on minorities are growing notably. We highly condemn these attacks on minorities and we demand to the government to take proper actions against extortionists as soon as possible.

Hindu Woman Raped & Killed in Bangladesh

Radha Rani Halder, a newly married Hindu woman of the Shariatpur District under Dhaka Division in central Bangladesh, was raped and killed by a group of Muslim miscreants on June 27, 2009.

Ms. Halder worked for the local NGO, the Shariatpur Development Society (SDS).

Mr. Dipankar Bairagee, husband of the slain woman, said that, at about 11 a.m. on June 27, Ms. Halder went for loan collection, as part of her work with the NGO, to the house of local village leader, Mr. Halim Matubbar, in South Goaldia village.

But when she did not return until afternoon, her co-workers started searching for her as she didn’t return on time to the office with the money, and that her mobile was not responding, said Mr. Quamrul Hasan(Badal), the Sector Chief of SDS.

“Finally after frantic search until on late at night, we discovered the unclothed dead-body of Ms. Halder with her throat half-slit near Hajeer Pukur of Palong Upazila in Shariatpur”, said Sector Chief Hasan.

Mr. Bairagee, the devastated husband of the deceased, said, “We got married about 2 months ago. She took up the job to relieve the family of its hardships, but got killed in this brutal way”.

“We have filed a case with the police, but they failed to arrest any of the perpetrators”, said he.

“Local Muslim Mohammed Kalam, Borhan and Motaleb killed my wife after raping her; and they also snatched an amount of Tk 43,996.00, as well as a golden chain and earring from my wife”, added Mr. Bairagee.

Shariatpur police chief said, “The case is under investigation; we are doing our best; and we have arrested one of the suspect”.

Annie Halder, a Catholic human rights activist, expressed anxiety over growing attacks on the minorities in Bangladesh.

“We demand proper investigation of this case and due justice to theperpetrators”, said she.

On Saturday late night at Charsindhu village of Polash union a group of armed Muslims attacked on a local Hindhu temple and near by four Hindu houses said a victim Onjoli Bormon

Minority Hindu victim victim Onjoli Bormon said a group of armed Muslims lead by Joinal came and attacked on our temple as we run to save the temple and the perpetrators attack on us and in our houses

In attack Mr.Dirandra chondro Bormaon ,Ms.Onjoli Bormon ,Ms.Nioti Bormon,Mr.Hironi Bormon and Sunil Bormon were seriously injured.

Some of them get admitted in local hospital said Minority Hindu victim Onjoli Bormon

Locals said to grave the land of Hindu crematorium (where Hindu people get burned) yard the local Muslims attacked on them

Catholic human rights activist Annie Halder said attacks on different Hindu minorities are raising all over the country this is really alarming. We highly condemn attack on these minority Hindu families.

Local police said we are doing our best to trace the people behind this attack and already we have insure the security of the minorities on that area

On July 21st late night the dacoits brook the temples door and they have looted a historic Statue and things worth 1corer, said the priest Gobinda Thakur

The police are trying their best to find out the people behind this said local police

Local Hindu devotees shared the deep concern over the incident.