by Abdullah Juberee and Moloy Saha Major General (retd) Chitta Ranjan Dutta, Bir Uttam, a sector commander in Bangladesh's war of independence and president of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha (Buddhist)-Christian Oikya Parishad,
Govt apathetic to oppression on minority communities by ruling party men
tells New Age
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CHITTA Ranjan Dutta, Bir Uttam, who commanded sector 4, which comprised most parts of greater Sylhet, in Bangladesh's war of independence in 1971, believes the Awami League-led government is indifferent to the oppression by ruling party exponents on people of the minority communities. In an interview with New Age recently, Dutta, a retired major general of the army and president of Bangladesh Hindu-Bouddha (Buddhist)-Christian Oikya Parishad, also demanded that the government should revoke the constitutional recognition of Islam as the state religion. Excerpts:
Secularism was a major inspiration for our war of independence. It was later incorporated in the constitution as one of the four guiding principles for the state. What is the current state of secularism in Bangladesh?
The entire nation, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, got united during the war of independence in 1971, imbibed with the spirit of secularism, and overcame a strong military. Naturally, we expected that, in the independent Bangladesh, there would be no discrimination or oppression on religious or religious consideration. However, the reality was completely different. The constitution was formulated on four basic principles but these principles no longer exist. That should make you realise what state secularism is in now. The constitution was doctored and the autocratic regime of HM Ershad drove the last nail in the coffin, so to speak, when it made Islam the state religion.
Secularism was a major inspiration for our war of independence. It was later incorporated in the constitution as one of the four guiding principles for the state. What is the current state of secularism in Bangladesh?
The entire nation, irrespective of religion and ethnicity, got united during the war of independence in 1971, imbibed with the spirit of secularism, and overcame a strong military. Naturally, we expected that, in the independent Bangladesh, there would be no discrimination or oppression on religious or religious consideration. However, the reality was completely different. The constitution was formulated on four basic principles but these principles no longer exist. That should make you realise what state secularism is in now. The constitution was doctored and the autocratic regime of HM Ershad drove the last nail in the coffin, so to speak, when it made Islam the state religion.
Surely, we did not fight the war to see a state religion. Hence, our prime demand is reinstatement of the constitution of 1972. The constitutional provision of state religion needs to be scrapped. When we formed Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, many branded it as a communal organisation. We do not believe in communalism; rather, we were forced to form the organisation, to assert ourselves, when Islam was made the state religion. The moment the constitutional provision of state religion is scrapped and the constitution of 1972 reinstated, there will be no need for Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad.
The ruling Awami League has always professed its commitment to promotion of secularism and protection of the rights of minority communities. However, in recent times, after the party assumed office in January 2009, reports have poured in from different places across the country of ruling party men assaulting people of minority communities, setting ablaze their homesteads and grabbing their property, and even temples and cremation grounds. How do you look at such incidents?
The ruling Awami League has always professed its commitment to promotion of secularism and protection of the rights of minority communities. However, in recent times, after the party assumed office in January 2009, reports have poured in from different places across the country of ruling party men assaulting people of minority communities, setting ablaze their homesteads and grabbing their property, and even temples and cremation grounds. How do you look at such incidents?
You are right. We are getting reports of such incidents from places across the country though it is unexpected at this time. We are collecting information through our own channel, compiling them and then informing the government. We all — Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, Christians and ethnic minorities — had fought the war of independence on the basis of four basic principles, especially secularism. And, we, the Sector Commanders Forum, in recent times have roamed across the country to mobilise people in favour of trial of war crimes to reflect those principles. This nationwide mobilisation helped the Awami League to achieve such an electoral landslide.
However, the lot of the minority communities has not changed. Oppression on them continues. These are against the spirit. All should understand that people of the country do not like such events. Our temples are being attacked and damaged, and lands of temples are being grabbed. The Awami League pledged in its election manifesto that security of life and property of the minority communities would be ensured. We did lodge complaints with the police, the local administration and even the leaders of the Awami League but the response has been poor.
Whatever you say now, it is the reality that we have voted the Awami League always as we feel the party believes in four basic principles based on which the country was liberated. But now it seems things are changing gradually. The Awami League should look into the matter.
Many people like to say that the Hindu community or the minority communities are the B team of the Awami League and the Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, which we have formed to assert our identity after Islam was made the state religion, is also being called the Awami League's B team. I do not have any objection to these but they have to look after us.
Many people like to say that the Hindu community or the minority communities are the B team of the Awami League and the Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad, which we have formed to assert our identity after Islam was made the state religion, is also being called the Awami League's B team. I do not have any objection to these but they have to look after us.
Our lands are being grabbed, forced conversions continue at many places. Our children are getting no job or even cannot do business despite we do work for the Awami League. Despite having all qualifications, they are not recruited to the armed forces.
I would like to say 90 per cent of us are supporters of the Awami League as it believes in four basic principles of the state — secularism, democracy, socialism and nationalism. Now, I think the time has come for the Awami League to realise the situation and take our issues into consideration. We chose the Awami League up as the party is at least vocal about secularism.
The younger generation of Awami League leaders too are not going in the right direction. It has to change. They have to change their attitude. The younger generation needs to be controlled.
Recently, leaders of the ethnic minority communities lodged complaint with a lawmaker of Natore against his people for oppressing them, and the lawmaker responded, 'They are Gayeshwars'. What is your reaction to the incident?
The lawmaker might say so but he should remember that we are the majority in Natore. And most of us support the Awami League, which helped them gain such a vast majority in parliament. He should not forget that we, from the Sector Commanders' Forum, roved across the country in mobilising public opinion for trial of war crimes and that surely helped the Awami League in achieving such a result.
I would like to say 90 per cent of us are supporters of the Awami League as it believes in four basic principles of the state — secularism, democracy, socialism and nationalism. Now, I think the time has come for the Awami League to realise the situation and take our issues into consideration. We chose the Awami League up as the party is at least vocal about secularism.
The younger generation of Awami League leaders too are not going in the right direction. It has to change. They have to change their attitude. The younger generation needs to be controlled.
Recently, leaders of the ethnic minority communities lodged complaint with a lawmaker of Natore against his people for oppressing them, and the lawmaker responded, 'They are Gayeshwars'. What is your reaction to the incident?
The lawmaker might say so but he should remember that we are the majority in Natore. And most of us support the Awami League, which helped them gain such a vast majority in parliament. He should not forget that we, from the Sector Commanders' Forum, roved across the country in mobilising public opinion for trial of war crimes and that surely helped the Awami League in achieving such a result.
The Sector Commanders' Forum has long been demanding trial of war crimes and mobilised public opinion in its favour. The Awami League in its election manifesto also pledged to hold trial of such crimes. But seeing the slow pace of activities in this direction many people have expressed doubt if any trial would be held at all?
Look, I trust the Awami League on this issue. The plan and programmes we have done on it have got support of the Awami League. Indeed, the process has not been as expeditious as we expected. The government must hold the trial. Anarchies are taking place across Bangladesh because the trial is not being held. We are waiting for the trial and it should be held at the earliest and the Sector Commanders' Forum will help in every aspect.
The Awami League pledged a democratic environment in its election manifesto, but violation of human rights of people has continued in the past 16 months of the government. How do you look at it?
It seems that they are not dealing with the issues seriously. The spirit we expected from the Awami League with their present strength is not there. They should be more assertive and dynamic in dealing with such issues. We, the minority communities, expect a lot from this government.
Did you talk to the policymakers of the government about your expectation or grievances?
Yes, we talked to the deputy leader of the house, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, when she came to the Dhakeshwari mandir (temple). We told her everything and she assured us that they were trying to take action. We also talked to the prime minister some days ago and placed our demands before her.
The Awami League pledged a democratic environment in its election manifesto, but violation of human rights of people has continued in the past 16 months of the government. How do you look at it?
It seems that they are not dealing with the issues seriously. The spirit we expected from the Awami League with their present strength is not there. They should be more assertive and dynamic in dealing with such issues. We, the minority communities, expect a lot from this government.
Did you talk to the policymakers of the government about your expectation or grievances?
Yes, we talked to the deputy leader of the house, Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, when she came to the Dhakeshwari mandir (temple). We told her everything and she assured us that they were trying to take action. We also talked to the prime minister some days ago and placed our demands before her.
Lands of our people are being gabbed. Even the lands of the national temple Dhaleshwari Mandir has been occupied by giant corporate houses and multi-storey buildings are being erected there. We have told the prime minister about it, we told Sajeda and they said they would look into the matter.
They are not saying anything negative, but they have to show us some action. We think we would meet the prime minister again over the issues including Dhakeshwari land. Despite lodging complaints with them no action has been taken.
What is your observation about the present situation vis-à-vis vested properties?
We have accepted the new laws regarding vested properties. Now we are demanding that the rights of our inheritance should be included in the act.
The Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad was formed in 1988 in the wake of Ershad's making the Islam state religion and it has ever since been vocal about issues related to the minority communities. However, after the Awami League's assumption of office, the platform seems to be silent to incidents of oppression of minority communities. Why so?
No, no, we are as vocal against any oppression as we were in the past. We also talked to the prime minister about these issues. Maybe, those were not reported in the media. We are initiating one movement after another. As we cannot fight, things are proceeding through talks.
Then, you are opting for negotiation instead of struggle?
What else but negotiating is left for us? We cannot go for violence. We would go through regular process.
You said most of the minority communities support the Awami League as it is vocal for secularism. Do you find the Awami League practising secularism in the real sense of the term?
I do not think I should comment on this. But what I can say is that our hard work helped the Awami League gain an overwhelming majority in parliament. I feel hurt when I see hardly one per cent members of the armed forces are from minority
communities and despite being educated our children are not getting better jobs.
They are not saying anything negative, but they have to show us some action. We think we would meet the prime minister again over the issues including Dhakeshwari land. Despite lodging complaints with them no action has been taken.
What is your observation about the present situation vis-à-vis vested properties?
We have accepted the new laws regarding vested properties. Now we are demanding that the rights of our inheritance should be included in the act.
The Hindu-Bouddha-Christian Oikya Parishad was formed in 1988 in the wake of Ershad's making the Islam state religion and it has ever since been vocal about issues related to the minority communities. However, after the Awami League's assumption of office, the platform seems to be silent to incidents of oppression of minority communities. Why so?
No, no, we are as vocal against any oppression as we were in the past. We also talked to the prime minister about these issues. Maybe, those were not reported in the media. We are initiating one movement after another. As we cannot fight, things are proceeding through talks.
Then, you are opting for negotiation instead of struggle?
What else but negotiating is left for us? We cannot go for violence. We would go through regular process.
You said most of the minority communities support the Awami League as it is vocal for secularism. Do you find the Awami League practising secularism in the real sense of the term?
I do not think I should comment on this. But what I can say is that our hard work helped the Awami League gain an overwhelming majority in parliament. I feel hurt when I see hardly one per cent members of the armed forces are from minority
communities and despite being educated our children are not getting better jobs.
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