Extreme atrocities meted out on Bangladeshi Hindus – A study

Ashwin Krushnapaksha 2, Kaliyug Varsha 5116

Indians should come forward to protect their Hindu brethren from Bangladesh !

Protest of Minority Hindus are ignored by a pseudo Islamic Country named Bangladesh !

Bangladesh is an Islamic country with Bengali as language of communication; is on the Eastern side of India. The country, although claims to be secular on paper and has adopted Parliamentary democracy, the true condition of our Hindu brethren is totally different and very agonizing. Hindus, who were in East Pakistan at the time of partition of Hindustan and who became citizens of Bangladesh after creation of this country, are living in poverty today. They don’t have proper houses, nor do they have proper jobs and their ancestral land, farm and property have been taken over by the Government. Such is the pathetic condition of Hindus living there. Recently, we had an opportunity to talk to ‘Sant Mahamandal’s Mahamandaleshwar Priyabrat Brahmachari Mahateertha from Bangladesh which gave an idea of the true conditions prevailing in that country.

This article is based on the visit of Priyabrat Swami, describing appalling condition of Bangladeshi Hindus….

Main reason of creation of Bangladesh was discontent amongst people !

Hindus, staying in Bangladesh today, were citizens of undivided India a few decades ago. They were followers of prosperous Indian culture; but in 1947, the undivided India was partitioned in two parts as Bharat and Pakistan; during which they got new identity as citizens of Pakistan. Pakistan comprised of two parts as West and East Pakistan; but there was so much difference in their culture that they seemed to be two different countries. The difference was basically of language and it kept on widening due to many issues. More the differences increased, more was discontent amongst people of East Pakistan. Pakistan Government sent her army to suppress the discontent and imposed military rule. The situation in East Pakistan became grave due to tension and military terror. It led to shifting of people in Indian border. Finally, India had to intervene and in 1971; East Pakistan was separated, creating Bangladesh.

Hindus, however, face only extreme oppression !

After creation of this country, there was no change in Hindus’ sufferings; their problems were not solved. When one sees the way minority Hindus are treated in this Islamic country that brags about Parliamentary democracy, we realize how much we are pampering minorities and they are unnecessarily appeased in our country. In Bangladesh, minority Hindus are deprived of their basic needs like food, clothing and shelter; their ancestral properties are confiscated by the Government under a terrible Act like ‘Enemy Property Act’ and they are so extensively tortured that they would wish to die and these things are quite openly taking place in that country. The recent general elections and following violence; massacre of Hindu population are its proofs.

Population of Hindus is constantly reducing

In 1947, after partition, 34 % population of East Pakistan was Hindu but it has been decreasing since creation of Bangladesh. Constant oppression of Hindus, their shifting to other places out of fear are some of the reasons for such reduction in their population. As per the statistics declared by USA, there are only 16% Hindus in Bangla Desh now; whereas statistics of the Government of Bangladesh show Hindu population as less than 9 %. Whoever is left there, is living under constant terror.

Hindus brought under terrible laws like ‘Enemy Property Act’ forcing them to live in poverty !

These unlucky Hindus have faced only dereliction in all aspects of life; right from getting deprived of even fundamental rights. The financial condition of Hindus deteriorated after partition and on creation of Bangladesh; and it adversely affected them in every field of life. Before partition, 70% land was owned by Hindus in East Pakistan; but after creation of Bangladesh, dreadful Act like ‘Enemy Property Act’ was enacted and by misusing this Act, 62 lakh acres of land was grabbed by the Government. There were encroachments on Hindus’ land and Hindus had no option but to watch these things helplessly. When the own Government was ill-treating them as enemy, where would they go for justice ? Hindus were staying there for so many generations; still Bangladesh Government dared to treat them as enemy and oppressed them which was shocking and it was exhibition of Government’s insolence. Hindus who used to earn from their land, were deprived of land so they turned to other means of earnings but there too, they faced disappointment. They needed financial help to start other business or cultivate some cash-crop to earn money with whatever little piece of land was left; but local banks refuse to grant such assistance under some pretext. Then Hindus are left with no choice but to stand on road to sell bric-a-brac.

Honesty of Hindus !

Bangladesh is known for ‘self-help groups’. Its promoter Mohammad Yunnus treats Hindus with positive approach. There are some Hindu members on the Board of his group. It is seen that Hindus’ groups work with honesty and are progressing rapidly. Many people have experienced that Hindus are honest in their dealings; still Hindus are living in very straitened conditions.

Media is indifferent towards breach of human rights of Hindus taking place openly in Bangladesh !

In Bangladesh, Hindus’ human rights are openly squashed. In 1992, before demolition of Babri mosque, and even later, atrocities against Hindus have grown. After recent elections also minority Hindus were targeted; about 459 Hindu temples and Hindus’ properties were destroyed. 6500 Hindus became homeless. Mass media that bring the whole world together, however, took no notice of these happenings. Indian TV news channels are not shown in Bangladesh.

There is no independent Ministry for minority population in Bangladesh !

Sometimes, few Hindu MPs are also made to join oppression of Hindu population which is the tragedy of these people ! There is no independent Ministry to attend to woes of minority population. Demand is being made for such ministry for many years; but the Government has so far turned a blind eye to such demand. None of the parties in Bangladesh seem to do anything for Hindus’ development or for improving their conditions. There is no Hindu minister in the cabinet of ministers of Sheikh Hasina which throws light on many things.

Miserable condition of Hindus’ temples !

Innumerable Hindu temples have been damaged in all these years; still there are about 30,000 temples in Bangla Desh. In most of the temples, however, there are no idols; but temples still exist. There is need to repair and renovate those temples; but nobody pays attention to such things. The temple of Sri Dhakeshwari Devi holds great importance in life of Hindus from Bangladesh. In the war of 1971, Pakistan’s army damaged these temples; but nothing has been done so far for their revival. It is an attack on seats of worship of minority Hindus. This minority, however, lacks strength to fight against these things. The main solution to the problem is empowerment of Hindus.

Ignorance towards ‘Shakti-Peetha’ !

There are 5 ‘Shakti-Peethas’ of Hindus in Bangladesh which have religious and spiritual significance; besides the temples. The ‘Shakti-Peethas’ are of great importance amongst ‘Shaakta’ Sectarians. These ‘Peethas’ are invaluable treasure for Hindus. ‘Chandradas Dhaam’ is world-known; ‘Seeta-kunda’ is also famous where big festivals are celebrated; but news regarding such things is not published anywhere; because Bangladeshi channels are not seen in India. In fact, Indians should visit Bangladesh to see this treasure as it will promote tourism and help economy of Bangladesh. This solution was suggested by Swami Priyabrata. There will be a hope for improving Hindus’ condition if close relations are developed with Hindus from Bangladesh through the medium of tourism.

Biased stand of Indian High Commissioner !

Bangladesh is actually a child of India. Hindus from Bangladesh have such feeling. Swami Debabrata said that India should take initiative in improving their condition thus expressing feelings of Bangladeshi Hindus, with earnestness. Indian Government enters into various contracts with Bangladesh in different fields under trade and commerce. High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh has good relations with Islamic organizations and friendly relations with leaders of those organizations; but the same affinity is not shown with Hindu leaders or Saints, said Swamiji expressing remorse.

Bangladeshi Muslims get scholarships out of Indians’ money and Bangladeshi Hindus have no right to education !

The conversation with Swamiji brought forth many solutions; e.g. Indian Government giving scholarships to Hindu students for higher studies can be an important solution, said Swamiji. Today, Bangladeshi youth is going out for studies; some of them come to India and the surprising thing is that all students are Muslims but not a single Hindu youth comes to India for education because they are not given loan for education. Scholarships given by Hindustan also go to Muslim students. 3000 Bangladeshi students were given such scholarship this year. The Government should take extra efforts to see that Hindu students also come to Hindustan for higher studies. Our brethren staying in Bangladesh have no right to education. Muslims have right to study then why not Hindus ? We need to raise voice for the same. If Muslims from Bangladesh can get scholarship from the money paid by Indians by way of taxes; then why can’t our brethren get it? We should ask this question to Indian Government.

Before all such solutions, however, there is a need to stop atrocities against Hindus !

Indians should come forward to protect their Hindu brethren from Bangladesh !

There are expectations from Indian Government that it should pressurize Government of Bangladesh. They expect that India should take initiative in protecting human rights of Hindus as India is like mother to them. Once upon a time, it was undivided part of ‘Bharatmata’; therefore, India should now respond to the call given by Hindu brethren from Bangladesh and rush for their help. It is an appeal to Indian Government and also to all Indians !

Everyone should do his bit in this mission. 85% of the freedom fighters, who were imprisoned in cellular jail of Andaman, were from today’s Bangladesh. At least one person from every district of Bangladesh was in jail which means all Hindus were nationalists. The place where ‘Vande Mataram’ was sung for the first time is in today’s Bangladesh. Senior scientist viz. Jagadish Chandra Bose; great leaders like Deshbandhu Chittaranjan Das were born in Bikrampur District which is in Bangladesh today.

Source : Dainik Sanatan Prabhat