Are Bangladesh radicals state-sponsored? Extremists in Bangladesh have been forcefully taking Hindus even from the hands of the police and have been trying to kill them. While Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Muhammad Yunus, has accused India of “exaggerating” attacks on Hindus, several videos have emerged showing otherwise.
A video has emerged from September 4, just before the murder of Hindu youth Utsav Mondal in Sonadanga Police Station of Khulna who was detained over tension following a cricket match. The video shows how some people came and asked for his custody to which police refused initially, but gave in to the pressure later and handed him over, following which he was murdered.
The video shows a Muslim youth telling police, “Sir, please give him to us for 10 minutes. We assure you that he will be safe. We just want to give him a garland of shoes and we want him to apologise to us.” The police officer didn’t allow it initially but handed him over to the radical Islamic mob later as was seen in the video.
Another video has emerged from September 7 where at least 27 Hindu individuals from the second ward of Kalmati, Khuniagach Union, Lalmonirhat Sadar Upazila, were misled with incorrect interpretations of religion, threatened with forced emigration or death, and were made to join Jamaat-e-Islami. Religious conversion materials were provided, and signatures were taken on various forms.
The chief guest at the event was the Assistant Secretary of the Jamaat-e-Islami Lalmonirhat District Branch, Hafez Md Shah Alam. The 12th article of Jamaat’s constitution was read to them during the event, after which they were sworn in according to the Non-Muslim Oath under Appendix 11 of the constitution.
In a third video, also from September 7, Maulana Liaqat Ali could be seen openly saying that those who worship idols were Kafir (non-believers). He could be seen threatening the Hindus living in Satla, Nagar Kanda in the Upazila of Faridpur District in the Division of Dhaka, Bangladesh, saying that his Muslim community would not need even an hour to gulp down all the Hindus living in that area.
He could also be seen mentioning that any Muslim who is in favour of breaking idols of Hindu Gods and Goddesses has Iman, which means Islamic morale, but the Muslims who are not in favour of breaking idols are the ones devoid of Islamic Iman and will be punished.
Sources in India have called Yunus’s statement “irresponsible”. Top Intelligence sources have said that after the statement from Yunus, violence against Hindus is becoming legitimate in Bangladesh with many thinking this has state approval.
Yunus had last week said the issue of attacks on minority Hindus in his country is “exaggerated” and questioned the manner in which India projected it. In an interview with PTI, Yunus had said the attacks on minorities in Bangladesh were more political than communal.
“I have said this to (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi also that this is exaggerated. This issue has several dimensions. When the country went through an upheaval following the atrocities by (Sheikh) Hasina and the Awami League, those who were with them also faced attacks,” he had said. Sources said that releasing an accused in custody to individuals clearly suggests the police is completely under radicals’ control.
Sources have also feared the effects of this reaching West Bengal. According to sources, there have been serious outbursts in West Bengal with some Muslims wanting to replicate what’s happening in Bangladesh.
