Indian Muslims Strongly Condemn Attacks On Hindus in Bangladesh

By Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy August 12, 2024 In His First Address to The Nation, The Noble Laureate Mohammad Yunus, Now The Chief Advisor To The New Interim Government, Has Warned Those Who Spread The Poison Of Anarchy Would Face The Full Power Of Law Enforcement Agencies, Along With The Victorious Students And The People, Who Will Make Them Fail. “As The First Duty Of The Government, We Will Suppress These Conspirators With A Heavy Hand,” He Has Promised. The Interim Government Must Now Walk The Talk. ------ Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) strongly condemns the attack on the life and property of Bangladeshi Hindus. Communalism is a sub-continental malaise and must be fought across borders. We call upon Muslim organisations and individuals in India to strongly condemn the targeting of minorities in our neighbouring country. Reports in the last few days in the The Daily Star, The Daily Tribune and others published from Dacca, record that at least 142 people were killed in attacks and clashes around the country, with hundreds injured, and Hindu houses and businesses were looted and torched in at least 27 districts, on the day the students' movement declared "independence" from the Awami League's authoritarian regime. In the anarchic situation that prevails in the country, fearing for their lives, a large number of Hindus living close to the border have been attempting to cross over to India leaving behind their homes, businesses and motherland. The once iconic cultural hub of Rahul Ananda has been vandalised, 3,000 rare musical instruments burnt down. The attack on temples, Hindu homes and businesses the targeting of Rahul Ananda’s secular musical space is clear indication that some fanatical Islamist groups – there is no dearth of them in Bangladesh -- are pursuing their own intolerant agenda. In the midst of the continuing mayhem, there are reassuring reports that student leaders have directed their supporters to guard the places of worship of fellow countrymen from the Hindu and Christian communities. Several video clips are circulating in the social media showing students and civilians including madrasa students, setting up committees to protect temples, churches or houses of minorities. The Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami (BJI), the largest Islamist party in the country, has condemned the attacks on Hindus, saying there is no question of majority or minority and that all citizens have equal rights. IMSD applauds all those organisations and individuals in Bangladesh who are speaking out against the lynch mobs, arsonists looters and fanatics, in particular those who have thrown civilian security rings around their fellow countrymen from the minority communities. We welcome the statement now even as we note that their own questionable role in the past speaks otherwise. But the main burden of responsibility lies with the interim government to restore the rule of law, ensure peace, comfort the Hindu victims of the wanton violence, reassure them that they will be fully compensated for the destruction of their temples, homes and businesses and the perpetrators of violence will be brought to justice. In his first address to the nation, the Noble laureate Mohammad Yunus, now the chief advisor to the new interim government, has warned those who spread the poison of anarchy would face the full power of law enforcement agencies, along with the victorious students and the people, who will make them fail. “As the first duty of the government, we will suppress these conspirators with a heavy hand,” he has promised. The interim government must now walk the talk. Signatories: 1. A. J. Jawad, Advocate, Chennai 2. Aftab Khan, Journalist, Nasik 3. Akbar Shaikh, IMSD, Solapur 4. Ahmad Rashid Sherwani, Educationist, Hyderabad 5. Amir Rizvi, IMSD, Designer, Mumbai 6. Anand Patwardhan, Documentary films maker, Mumbai 7. Anjum Rajabali, Film Writer, Mumbai 8. Anwar Hussain, Corporate Executive, Mumbai 9. Arif Kapadia, IMSD, Business, Activist, Mumbra, Thane 10. Arshad Alam, IMSD, Columnist, New Age Islam, Delhi 11. Ashhar Khan, Jaunpur 12. Askari Zaidi, IMSD, Senior Journalist, Delhi 13. Bilal Khan, IMSD, Activist, Mumbai 14. Prof. Dipak Malik, Varanasi 15. Feroze Mithiborwala, IMSD, Co-convener, Bharat Bachao Andolan, Mumbai 16. Ghulam Rasool Dehlvi, Sufi Mystic Indo-Islamic Scholar & Author, Delhi 17. Hasan Ibrahim Pasha, Fiction writer, Allahabad 18. Hasina Khan, Bebaak Collective, Mumbai 19. Irfan Engineer, IMSD Co-convener, CSSS, Mumbai 20. Javed Akhtar, former MP, poet, lyricist, Mumbai 21. Javed Anand, IMSD Convener, CJP, SabrangIndia Online, Mumbai 22. Javed Siddiqi, IMSD, writer, author, Mumbai 23. Kasim Sait, Businessman, Philanthropist, Chennai 24. Khadijah Farouqui, IMSD, Activist, Delhi 25. Mansoor Sardar, IMSD, Bhiwandi 26. Masooma Ranalvi, IMSD, We Speak Out, Delhi 27. Mohammed Imran, PIO, USA 28. Muniza Khan, IMSD, CJP, Varanasi 29. Najid Hussain, PIO, USA 30. Nasreen Contractor, Co-convenor, IMSD, Mumbai 31. Nasreen Fazelbhoy, IMSD, Mumbai 32. Neelima Sharma, Theatre, Social activist, Delhi 33. Qaisar Sultana, Home maker, Allahabad 34. (Prof.) Qamarjahan, Lucknow 35. Qutub Jahan, IMSD, NEEDA, Mumbai 36. (Dr) Ram Puniyani, IMSD, Author, Activist, Mumbai 37. Rashida Tapadar, Academic, Activist, Nagaland 38. Riyaz Shaikh, Mumbai 39. Sabah Khan, Parcham, Mumbai. 40. Salim Saboowala, Social activist, Mumbai 41. Shabana Azmi, Actor, Former MP, Mumbai 42. Shafaat Khan, IMSD, Writer, Mumbai 43. Shalini Dhawan, Designer, Mumbai 44. Shama Bano, Social activist Varanasi 45. Shamsul Islam, Author, Delhi 46. Sheeba Aslam Fehmi, IMSD, TV Commentator, Delhi 47. Sultan Shahin, Editor-in chief and publisher, New Age Islam, Delhi 48. Teesta Setalvad, IMSD, CJP, SabrangIndia Online, Mumbai 49. Vibhuti Narain Rai, IPS (retired), author, commentator, Noida 50. Yash Paranjpe, Activist, Mumbai 51. Dr. Zaheer Ahmed Sayeed, Neurologist, Chennai 52. Zeenat Shaukat Ali, IMSD, Wisdom Foundation, Mumbai ----- URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/indian-muslims-condemn-attacks-hindus-bangladesh/d/132915 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism