Muhammad Yunus, Prime Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, assured on Tuesday that his administration takes matters of human rights and freedom of speech seriously. The statement was made against the backdrop of rising violence and vandalism since August 5, following the resignation of Sheikh Hasina as Prime Minister, with minorities including Hindus being the main target.
Visiting Dhakeswari National Temple in Dhaka, an 800-year-old Hindu heritage site, Yunus told the congregation, "The interim government is for equality and patience." He asked people to judge the interim government's activities after some time and said, "Everyone is entitled to equal rights here. There should be no discrimination. Please be patient and judge our actions later. Criticize us if we fall short."
Dozens of Hindus have been reported injured since last week when Hasina left for India, as radicals attacked their houses, businesses and temples.
Yunus, speaking after sharing the dais with Bangladesh Puja Celebration Parishad President Vasudev Dhar and its General Secretary Santosh Sharma, said, "We should look at each other as human beings, not through our respective religious identity prisms." He linked these problems to the lacunae in institutional frameworks and wanted them reformed to root out these anomalies.
Also present at the temple with Yunus were Asif Nazrul and A.F.M. Khalid Hossain, advisors on legal and religious matters to the interim government. On Monday, Hossain condemned the attacks on minorities, describing them as the handiwork of "miscreants" and vowed action against those behind the violence.
He added that the government was preparing a list of properties damaged and would provide financial support to victims.
The interim government, assumed office on August 8 with Yunus at its helm, is grappling with the enormity of situation due to unabated violence. Thousands of Hindus Saturday took out a big rally in Chittagong protesting against the attacks and demanding safety and equal rights.
The Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Oikya Parishad has sent an open letter to Yunus, expressing deep concern over the violence perpetrated against minorities. In it, the incidents of massive effect on the community—like widespread fear and destruction—have been brought to the fore and urged urgent measures to restore communal harmony.
Daily Star' quoted the President of the unity council, Nirmal Rosario, expressing distress over the situation and urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of minority communities.
On the other hand, the Bangladesh Hindu Jagran Mancha has organized protests against the recent vandalism, arson, and attacks on the Hindu community nationwide.
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