among A series of attacks on the Hindu minority in Bangladesh, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI) has condemned the incidents and said that there is no such thing as majority or minority and every citizen has equal rights.
Speaking at a press conference, BJYM chief Aamir Shafiqur Rahman admitted that there had been attacks on religious minorities, including incidents of vandalism, looting and arson.
He said, “We have condemned these activities of the miscreants many times and are still condemning it. In these circumstances, we have appealed to the countrymen as well as the manpower of our organization to play the role of protectors in protecting the properties of people of all religions. There is no majority or minority in our country.”
Shafiqur Rahman further said that every person born in Bangladesh, regardless of his caste or religion, is a citizen of the country and enjoys “equal rights”.
BJYM leader Aamir said, “Therefore the question of majority or minority is invalid.”
He asked citizens to oppose miscreants and their misdeeds and said the party was ready to “extend full cooperation to the administration”.
Massive student protests against a quota system for government jobs in Bangladesh, which led to the death of more than 400 people, have now turned into a wider story of vandalism and looting that has angered minorities, especially Hindus. The attacks have increased further after the prime minister resigned and Sheikh Hasina fled to India.
Several online videos showed temples being set on fire and Hindu homes and businesses being attacked. An ISKCON temple and a Kali temple in Meherpur, located in Bangladesh’s Khulna Division, were vandalised and set on fire. Meanwhile, two Hindu councillors were killed during the protests.
Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council tweeted that 54 Temples, houses and establishments of the Hindu community were attackedThese include the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, which promotes cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh.