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well yunus is way more cunning and way more dcsiplined than donkey king
but problem is he is given riegns of a unmanagble and uncontrolable nation that too without any economic future plan
Bangladesh Defense
but problem is he is given riegns of a unmanagble and uncontrolable nation that too without any economic future plan
Krishna with Flute
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Please elaborate on how you see this happening.
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Why are you guys vacillating with all different subjects like Yunus, Jamati, Pakistan and Ahmadia? Do these things have anything remotely to do with the subject of the thread ?
Krishna, you were on target with your post, elaborate on how you see the re-installation of Hasina.
Hasina, by the way - has proclaimed that she will not come back to politics, who will be AL PM now?
India wants to see AL back in power in Bangladesh looks like.
Saif
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What is Indian media’s gain in branding us as a Hindu-hating country?
What has shocked me is their refusal to fact-check what they are writing, broadcasting or televising—a basic duty of any journalist.
What is Indian media’s gain in branding us as a Hindu-hating country?
FILE VISUAL: FATEMA JAHAN ENA
The only conclusion that can be drawn from much of the Indian media's recent coverage of Bangladesh is that it is a Hindu-hating country. The venom that is being spewed, the language that is being used, the hatred that is being spread, and the demeaning stereotype that is being portrayed about us seem geared towards generating a hatred for Bangladeshis among the Indian people. The long-term impact of this, along with its backlash here, will be very difficult to neutralise.
What is India's gain from such stigmatisation of its neighbour? Isn't it harming both our countries? It is harming us because it demonises Bangladesh. It is harming India because it proves once again that India wants to dominate its neighbours and will not allow any of them to choose their own policies. These policies are not inherently against India, per se, but are merely expressions of each nation's own way of moving forward.
My Nepali journalist friends tell a story of Indian attitude and behaviour that are far from flattering, to say the least. Public perception in Bhutan is not favourable towards India either. The Maldives' insistence that India's meagre military presence must end is as clear a message as it can get. Doesn't the election of the new leadership in Sri Lanka also carry a special message for our big neighbour? Together, do these not form a common view of how India's neighbours perceive it? Should this not compel India's policymakers to spend more time understanding their neighbours, rather than dismissing contrarian sentiments as inconsequential, baseless or rooted in jealousy—or, in Bangladesh's case, ingratitude?
Until August 4, 2024, Bangladesh was considered, according to Indian leaders and media, a very good neighbour, with bilateral relations and our friendship reaching new heights. What changed to reduce Bangladesh from a good neighbour to a most vilified one?
It is obviously due to the regime change that happened in Bangladesh on August 5. However, it was not a conspiratorial change of power, despite what India and its media believe. They are convinced that Pakistan, China or the US orchestrated it, not the people of Bangladesh. The fact that ours was a stronger demonstration of public will than the People Power Revolution that overthrew Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines many years ago, or the Arab Spring that toppled Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, did not find any receptive heart or mind in our neighbour. Our people did something in weeks that others took months if not years to accomplish. That was the power of July.
India does not understand the power of our students because it overlooks the history of our student movements. Our students defied Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, within a year of its founding to establish Bangla as a state language. They toppled Gen Ayub Khan's "Iron Regime," turned Bangabandhu's Six-Point Movement (1966) and the students' 11-Point Movement (1969) the most powerful movements that even Pakistan's military could not suppress. Our students were the strongest force behind the Awami League's victory in the 1970 election and, of course, they along with the peasant-based youth spearheaded the formation of the armed struggle during our Liberation War.
The glorious tradition of student activism continued after Bangladesh's establishment, with students resisting military dictatorships, autocracy and oppression, and supporting democracy, rights and social equality.
So, what happened during the "36 Days of July" is a continuation of the same tradition and even more. The latest uprising was far more energetic, vigorous and all-encompassing. Nobody believed that the Hasina government could be toppled through mass demonstration. But the students did it, and that is where lies its uniqueness.
What India is doing is refusing to acknowledge that we have the right to change our government democratically. While the regime change may not have followed the usual electoral route—which the former prime minister herself prevented (ironically, if she had allowed for the holding of free elections and lost, she might have at least remained in the country instead of facing the humiliation of fleeing)—it was an expression of public will that elections typically reflect. It was democracy in full play.
What India is doing is refusing to acknowledge that we have the right to change our government democratically. While the regime change may not have followed the usual electoral route—which the former prime minister herself prevented (ironically, if she had allowed for the holding of free elections and lost, she might have at least remained in the country instead of facing the humiliation of fleeing)—it was an expression of public will that elections typically reflect. It was democracy in full play.
From the outset, India did not accept this. Instead, it embraced conspiracy theories, which continue to dominate its thinking.
We all know Sheikh Hasina fled and her government collapsed on August 5. Prof Muhammad Yunus took over on August 8. The three-day gap in forming the interim government created a law and order vacuum during which several Awami League leaders, including members of minority communities, were attacked, and their properties vandalised. While this is true, it is also true that many of those targeted and attacked were Awami League activists, and some were also special beneficiaries of the discredited regime (this, however, does not justify the attacks on them). So, the incidents should not be painted as fully communal—as it was made out to be. Such attacks would not have occurred had the police force maintained order.
However, the events of the first few days clouded the Indian government's and media's perception of the changed situation in Bangladesh. Instead of waiting, observing, and judging the new leadership, the Indian media went on a spree of misjudging, misinterpreting, and misreporting.
In my earlier interviews with respected Indian media leaders, I pleaded that they should see Bangladesh not through the "lens of Hasina but through the lens of democracy." Unfortunately, my pleas fell on deaf ears, and the tirade continued. Indian media outlets fed one another and reinforced the story that Hasina's fall was the work of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Chhatra Shibir, assisted by Pakistan's ISI. Students might have started the movement, they argue, but they were soon outmanoeuvred by the conspirators. This was the narrative of the ousted prime minister that the Indian media swallowed hook, line, and sinker.
As the narrative of "Hindu killing" dominates Indian media and threatens bilateral relations, here is what the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, the most well-organised body of the minority communities, reported on September 19, covering the period from August 4-20. This was the period during which the interim administration was just organising itself, and was at its weakest. The council's report said that a total of 2,010 communal incidents occurred in which nine people were killed, four women were raped, 69 places of worship were attacked, 915 homes were vandalised, 953 business establishment were attacked, 38 cases of physical attack occurred, and 21 properties were occupied.
Prothom Alo, Bangladesh's most respected Bangla daily, conducted its own investigation—using 64 of its own correspondents in 64 districts and 69 upazilas (sub-districts)—covering the same period (August 5-20) and found evidence of attacks on 1,068 homes and businesses. In addition, there were 22 attacks on places of worship (temples, churches, and prayer places of the Ahmadiyya sect). This daily's own correspondents personally visited 546 sites (51 percent) and covered the rest through reliable sources. There were two deaths: one was of a retired school teacher in Bagerhat, Mrinal Kanti Chatterjee, and the other was of Swapan Kumar Biswas of Paikgachha, Khulna.
All attacks on minorities are totally unacceptable. While Bangladesh must work to ensure security for all, does this justify the Indian media's portrayal of Bangladesh? Are attacks on minorities not a reality in India too? Consider the Godhra train burning incident and the riots that followed, which alone killed 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus—rendering tens of thousands of people homeless. According to conservative figures by India's National Human Rights Commission, from 2002 to 2024, as many as 31 riots occurred in India, of which 20 were between Hindus and Muslims. Did the Bangladeshi media respond to that the way the Indian media is responding now?
The recent events that led to the desecration of Bangladeshi flag by demonstrators in India, and of Indian flag by some students in our university campuses, the killing of a Muslim lawyer in Chattogram and a Hindu doctor in Dhaka, were triggered by the arrest of a former ISKCON leader. The attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is condemnable and could and should have been prevented. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's suggestion to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask for UN peacekeepers to intervene in Bangladesh is an insult that has further worsened the situation.
The chief adviser's call for national unity and the consensus of all political parties to unite to protect our sovereignty is a clear indication of how seriously we consider the situation. It is also an indication of how things may take a seriously wrong turn.
Irrespective of what they may have been, the incidents—even though they shouldn't have happened at all in the first place—were made far worse by a belligerent Indian media. What has shocked me is their refusal to fact-check what they are writing, broadcasting or televising—a basic duty of any journalist. In many interviews or talk shows, certain incidents were discussed with loaded questions, where footage was shown of unrelated events to make Bangladesh look communal. Recently, on RT India's website, footage of an idol of Shiva being broken into pieces was shown, claiming it was from a Hindu temple in Bangladesh. The truth is, it was footage from a ritual being performed at another temple in Sultanpur, Bardhaman, India. We debunked the story on our website, but no action, let alone regret, came from RT India.
The incidents will no doubt subside. The rhetoric will also, perhaps, acquire a more sobering hue. The media, hopefully, will return to its ethical values. However, the attitudinal, psychological, and most importantly emotional impact of the contrived narrative of the Indian media will leave a long and sad impression here. Being power-drunk and click-driven, the Indian media may not think much about it, but the professional diplomats hopefully will.
Mahfuz Anam is the editor and publisher of The Daily Star.
FILE VISUAL: FATEMA JAHAN ENA
The only conclusion that can be drawn from much of the Indian media's recent coverage of Bangladesh is that it is a Hindu-hating country. The venom that is being spewed, the language that is being used, the hatred that is being spread, and the demeaning stereotype that is being portrayed about us seem geared towards generating a hatred for Bangladeshis among the Indian people. The long-term impact of this, along with its backlash here, will be very difficult to neutralise.
What is India's gain from such stigmatisation of its neighbour? Isn't it harming both our countries? It is harming us because it demonises Bangladesh. It is harming India because it proves once again that India wants to dominate its neighbours and will not allow any of them to choose their own policies. These policies are not inherently against India, per se, but are merely expressions of each nation's own way of moving forward.
My Nepali journalist friends tell a story of Indian attitude and behaviour that are far from flattering, to say the least. Public perception in Bhutan is not favourable towards India either. The Maldives' insistence that India's meagre military presence must end is as clear a message as it can get. Doesn't the election of the new leadership in Sri Lanka also carry a special message for our big neighbour? Together, do these not form a common view of how India's neighbours perceive it? Should this not compel India's policymakers to spend more time understanding their neighbours, rather than dismissing contrarian sentiments as inconsequential, baseless or rooted in jealousy—or, in Bangladesh's case, ingratitude?
Until August 4, 2024, Bangladesh was considered, according to Indian leaders and media, a very good neighbour, with bilateral relations and our friendship reaching new heights. What changed to reduce Bangladesh from a good neighbour to a most vilified one?
It is obviously due to the regime change that happened in Bangladesh on August 5. However, it was not a conspiratorial change of power, despite what India and its media believe. They are convinced that Pakistan, China or the US orchestrated it, not the people of Bangladesh. The fact that ours was a stronger demonstration of public will than the People Power Revolution that overthrew Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines many years ago, or the Arab Spring that toppled Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, did not find any receptive heart or mind in our neighbour. Our people did something in weeks that others took months if not years to accomplish. That was the power of July.
India does not understand the power of our students because it overlooks the history of our student movements. Our students defied Pakistan's founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, within a year of its founding to establish Bangla as a state language. They toppled Gen Ayub Khan's "Iron Regime," turned Bangabandhu's Six-Point Movement (1966) and the students' 11-Point Movement (1969) the most powerful movements that even Pakistan's military could not suppress. Our students were the strongest force behind the Awami League's victory in the 1970 election and, of course, they along with the peasant-based youth spearheaded the formation of the armed struggle during our Liberation War.
The glorious tradition of student activism continued after Bangladesh's establishment, with students resisting military dictatorships, autocracy and oppression, and supporting democracy, rights and social equality.
So, what happened during the "36 Days of July" is a continuation of the same tradition and even more. The latest uprising was far more energetic, vigorous and all-encompassing. Nobody believed that the Hasina government could be toppled through mass demonstration. But the students did it, and that is where lies its uniqueness.
What India is doing is refusing to acknowledge that we have the right to change our government democratically. While the regime change may not have followed the usual electoral route—which the former prime minister herself prevented (ironically, if she had allowed for the holding of free elections and lost, she might have at least remained in the country instead of facing the humiliation of fleeing)—it was an expression of public will that elections typically reflect. It was democracy in full play.
What India is doing is refusing to acknowledge that we have the right to change our government democratically. While the regime change may not have followed the usual electoral route—which the former prime minister herself prevented (ironically, if she had allowed for the holding of free elections and lost, she might have at least remained in the country instead of facing the humiliation of fleeing)—it was an expression of public will that elections typically reflect. It was democracy in full play.
From the outset, India did not accept this. Instead, it embraced conspiracy theories, which continue to dominate its thinking.
We all know Sheikh Hasina fled and her government collapsed on August 5. Prof Muhammad Yunus took over on August 8. The three-day gap in forming the interim government created a law and order vacuum during which several Awami League leaders, including members of minority communities, were attacked, and their properties vandalised. While this is true, it is also true that many of those targeted and attacked were Awami League activists, and some were also special beneficiaries of the discredited regime (this, however, does not justify the attacks on them). So, the incidents should not be painted as fully communal—as it was made out to be. Such attacks would not have occurred had the police force maintained order.
However, the events of the first few days clouded the Indian government's and media's perception of the changed situation in Bangladesh. Instead of waiting, observing, and judging the new leadership, the Indian media went on a spree of misjudging, misinterpreting, and misreporting.
In my earlier interviews with respected Indian media leaders, I pleaded that they should see Bangladesh not through the "lens of Hasina but through the lens of democracy." Unfortunately, my pleas fell on deaf ears, and the tirade continued. Indian media outlets fed one another and reinforced the story that Hasina's fall was the work of Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Chhatra Shibir, assisted by Pakistan's ISI. Students might have started the movement, they argue, but they were soon outmanoeuvred by the conspirators. This was the narrative of the ousted prime minister that the Indian media swallowed hook, line, and sinker.
As the narrative of "Hindu killing" dominates Indian media and threatens bilateral relations, here is what the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, the most well-organised body of the minority communities, reported on September 19, covering the period from August 4-20. This was the period during which the interim administration was just organising itself, and was at its weakest. The council's report said that a total of 2,010 communal incidents occurred in which nine people were killed, four women were raped, 69 places of worship were attacked, 915 homes were vandalised, 953 business establishment were attacked, 38 cases of physical attack occurred, and 21 properties were occupied.
Prothom Alo, Bangladesh's most respected Bangla daily, conducted its own investigation—using 64 of its own correspondents in 64 districts and 69 upazilas (sub-districts)—covering the same period (August 5-20) and found evidence of attacks on 1,068 homes and businesses. In addition, there were 22 attacks on places of worship (temples, churches, and prayer places of the Ahmadiyya sect). This daily's own correspondents personally visited 546 sites (51 percent) and covered the rest through reliable sources. There were two deaths: one was of a retired school teacher in Bagerhat, Mrinal Kanti Chatterjee, and the other was of Swapan Kumar Biswas of Paikgachha, Khulna.
All attacks on minorities are totally unacceptable. While Bangladesh must work to ensure security for all, does this justify the Indian media's portrayal of Bangladesh? Are attacks on minorities not a reality in India too? Consider the Godhra train burning incident and the riots that followed, which alone killed 790 Muslims and 254 Hindus—rendering tens of thousands of people homeless. According to conservative figures by India's National Human Rights Commission, from 2002 to 2024, as many as 31 riots occurred in India, of which 20 were between Hindus and Muslims. Did the Bangladeshi media respond to that the way the Indian media is responding now?
The recent events that led to the desecration of Bangladeshi flag by demonstrators in India, and of Indian flag by some students in our university campuses, the killing of a Muslim lawyer in Chattogram and a Hindu doctor in Dhaka, were triggered by the arrest of a former ISKCON leader. The attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala is condemnable and could and should have been prevented. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's suggestion to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ask for UN peacekeepers to intervene in Bangladesh is an insult that has further worsened the situation.
The chief adviser's call for national unity and the consensus of all political parties to unite to protect our sovereignty is a clear indication of how seriously we consider the situation. It is also an indication of how things may take a seriously wrong turn.
Irrespective of what they may have been, the incidents—even though they shouldn't have happened at all in the first place—were made far worse by a belligerent Indian media. What has shocked me is their refusal to fact-check what they are writing, broadcasting or televising—a basic duty of any journalist. In many interviews or talk shows, certain incidents were discussed with loaded questions, where footage was shown of unrelated events to make Bangladesh look communal. Recently, on RT India's website, footage of an idol of Shiva being broken into pieces was shown, claiming it was from a Hindu temple in Bangladesh. The truth is, it was footage from a ritual being performed at another temple in Sultanpur, Bardhaman, India. We debunked the story on our website, but no action, let alone regret, came from RT India.
The incidents will no doubt subside. The rhetoric will also, perhaps, acquire a more sobering hue. The media, hopefully, will return to its ethical values. However, the attitudinal, psychological, and most importantly emotional impact of the contrived narrative of the Indian media will leave a long and sad impression here. Being power-drunk and click-driven, the Indian media may not think much about it, but the professional diplomats hopefully will.
Mahfuz Anam is the editor and publisher of The Daily Star.
Saif
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We need accurate info for taking prompt action
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday sought religious leaders’ assistance in identifying attacks on minorities so that the government can take swift action.
We need accurate info for taking prompt action
Says Yunus about attack on minorities while meeting religious leaders
Photo: CA Press Wing
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday sought religious leaders' assistance in getting information about attacks on minorities so that the government could take prompt action.
There are discrepancies between the facts and what the foreign media are reporting, he said.
"We want accurate information and want to establish a process of getting the information," he said in his opening remarks at a dialogue with religious leaders at the Foreign Service Academy.
"We are talking about communal harmony. We all agree that we have harmony... Along with harmony, we have fear in our minds too."— Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
In case of an attack on minorities, information must be collected immediately to catch the perpetrators, he said.
"We are talking about communal harmony. We all agree that we have harmony... Along with harmony, we have fear in our minds too," he said.
Leaders of Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian and several other religions joined the dialogue. They said they would remain united against any propaganda, and pledged their support for the government and religious harmony.
Amid demonstrations in the capital and different districts over the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Prof Yunus on Tuesday began a series of dialogues.
He met student leaders on Tuesday evening and spoke to major political parties on Wednesday.
After yesterday's dialogue, Monk Sunanda Priyo, general secretary of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, said, "We are living well in Bangladesh and have no problems. We highlighted the issues we face. What the [Indian] media says or does is their problem, not ours. What we broadcast is more important. We should highlight the positive aspects of our country."
Prof Sukomal Barua, chief adviser to the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, proposed holding an international conference where people of all religions, ethnicities, and communities will participate.
"Diplomatic missions in Dhaka should witness our commitment to peace and harmony. Let the world know that Bangladesh is a nation of unity and harmony," he said.
Abinash Mitra, assistant secretary (religion) at Ramna Harichand Temple, said the chief adviser listened to the grievances of his people.
Leaders from different religious communities pose for a photo with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus after a dialogue at the capital’s Foreign Service Academy yesterday afternoon. Photo: Chief Adviser’s Press Wing
He said those creating divisions are using the propaganda from India. The priest urged the media to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
If there is repression anywhere in the country, it needs to be brought forth to prevent chaos, he said.
Father Albert Rosario of St Mary's Cathedral said if there were any legal avenues, the bail of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das may be considered. "Obtaining bail is the right of all individuals."
There has been provocation by the Indian media after the murder of a lawyer in Chattogram, he said.
"But we have shown patience and upheld harmony. We have all expressed solidarity with political leaders during this difficult time, and we must remain united. Hindus are in pain and agony after the arrest of the ISKCON leader. We told the chief adviser that the grievances of the Hindus must be addressed. We also suggested that the chief adviser meet the aggrieved Hindus who were not present [at the meeting], as they are in distress," he said.
He proposed organising a dialogue to show the world that Bangladesh is a country of religious harmony.
Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of Hefajat-e-Islam, said, "Several non-Muslim brothers have said that there is no persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. The country enjoys communal harmony, unlike neighbouring countries. Even after the killing of Muslims in Chittagong and Faridpur, there have been no riots or unrest. We are united in the country's interest. We will stand firmly against anyone conspiring against the country."
Sheikh Ahmadullah, chairman of the As-Sunnah Foundation, said the country's ulema and religious leaders are responsible individuals.
"Even after the murder of lawyer Saiful, Muslims have shown patience and restraint due to this sense of responsibility … We [people of all religions] are united, and there is no division among us … We conveyed this message."
Priest Khamal Johnson Mree of the Garo community said, "We will resist media outlets spreading propaganda. We support this government."
Sister Reva Veronica D'Costa, student counsellor of St Francis Xavier School and College in Old Dhaka's Laxmibazar, said religious leaders are united in their desire for a harmonious country.
"The media must ensure that no false or misleading news is broadcast. The youthshould live disciplined and patient lives, ensuring their dignity is not compromised."
Mahfuj Alam, an adviser to the interim government, told reporters that the religious groups had extended unanimous support for the government.
India must recognise that the Hasina-led government has committed mass killings, he said.
"Whenever we get the opportunity, we tell India that the coordinated misinformation campaign by the Indian media about Bangladesh must be curbed. It poses a threat to the friendly relations between both countries," he said.
At the discussion with the religious groups, he said, "We sought to convey a message to both supporters and detractors of Bangladesh that the people of this country have reached an understanding from a communal standpoint. The government, formed through the July-August uprising, will work proactively to counter any conspiracies."
The government will not tolerate reckless behaviour, and would focus on building a national consensus.
"If we can unite -- politically and through communal harmony -- no propaganda from abroad will hinder our progress."
Regarding repression on minorities, he said, "Saying it doesn't exist at all would be untrue. When it happens, the media should report the measures the government takes to address it. For instance, after the Sunamganj incident, we took swift action. These efforts should be publicised to assure minority groups that this country belongs to everyone.
"Prof Yunus emphasised that harmony must go hand-in-hand with a sense of security. Citizens should feel free and fearless, and harmony should come naturally, not as a reaction to crises. It shouldn't seem like we only engage with Hindu and Buddhist communities during difficult times."
The interim government urged the religious groups to stand as a unified political community. "This unity will demonstrate our strength to the world and uphold the spirit of the July uprising."
He urged the media to ensure accurate, fact-checked reporting on incidents, so that the government could take necessary action.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also spoke.
Says Yunus about attack on minorities while meeting religious leaders
Photo: CA Press Wing
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday sought religious leaders' assistance in getting information about attacks on minorities so that the government could take prompt action.
There are discrepancies between the facts and what the foreign media are reporting, he said.
"We want accurate information and want to establish a process of getting the information," he said in his opening remarks at a dialogue with religious leaders at the Foreign Service Academy.
"We are talking about communal harmony. We all agree that we have harmony... Along with harmony, we have fear in our minds too."— Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
In case of an attack on minorities, information must be collected immediately to catch the perpetrators, he said.
"We are talking about communal harmony. We all agree that we have harmony... Along with harmony, we have fear in our minds too," he said.
Leaders of Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian and several other religions joined the dialogue. They said they would remain united against any propaganda, and pledged their support for the government and religious harmony.
Amid demonstrations in the capital and different districts over the attack on the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala, Prof Yunus on Tuesday began a series of dialogues.
He met student leaders on Tuesday evening and spoke to major political parties on Wednesday.
After yesterday's dialogue, Monk Sunanda Priyo, general secretary of Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, said, "We are living well in Bangladesh and have no problems. We highlighted the issues we face. What the [Indian] media says or does is their problem, not ours. What we broadcast is more important. We should highlight the positive aspects of our country."
Prof Sukomal Barua, chief adviser to the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, proposed holding an international conference where people of all religions, ethnicities, and communities will participate.
"Diplomatic missions in Dhaka should witness our commitment to peace and harmony. Let the world know that Bangladesh is a nation of unity and harmony," he said.
Abinash Mitra, assistant secretary (religion) at Ramna Harichand Temple, said the chief adviser listened to the grievances of his people.
Leaders from different religious communities pose for a photo with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus after a dialogue at the capital’s Foreign Service Academy yesterday afternoon. Photo: Chief Adviser’s Press Wing
He said those creating divisions are using the propaganda from India. The priest urged the media to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
If there is repression anywhere in the country, it needs to be brought forth to prevent chaos, he said.
Father Albert Rosario of St Mary's Cathedral said if there were any legal avenues, the bail of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das may be considered. "Obtaining bail is the right of all individuals."
There has been provocation by the Indian media after the murder of a lawyer in Chattogram, he said.
"But we have shown patience and upheld harmony. We have all expressed solidarity with political leaders during this difficult time, and we must remain united. Hindus are in pain and agony after the arrest of the ISKCON leader. We told the chief adviser that the grievances of the Hindus must be addressed. We also suggested that the chief adviser meet the aggrieved Hindus who were not present [at the meeting], as they are in distress," he said.
He proposed organising a dialogue to show the world that Bangladesh is a country of religious harmony.
Sajedur Rahman, general secretary of Hefajat-e-Islam, said, "Several non-Muslim brothers have said that there is no persecution of minorities in Bangladesh. The country enjoys communal harmony, unlike neighbouring countries. Even after the killing of Muslims in Chittagong and Faridpur, there have been no riots or unrest. We are united in the country's interest. We will stand firmly against anyone conspiring against the country."
Sheikh Ahmadullah, chairman of the As-Sunnah Foundation, said the country's ulema and religious leaders are responsible individuals.
"Even after the murder of lawyer Saiful, Muslims have shown patience and restraint due to this sense of responsibility … We [people of all religions] are united, and there is no division among us … We conveyed this message."
Priest Khamal Johnson Mree of the Garo community said, "We will resist media outlets spreading propaganda. We support this government."
Sister Reva Veronica D'Costa, student counsellor of St Francis Xavier School and College in Old Dhaka's Laxmibazar, said religious leaders are united in their desire for a harmonious country.
"The media must ensure that no false or misleading news is broadcast. The youthshould live disciplined and patient lives, ensuring their dignity is not compromised."
Mahfuj Alam, an adviser to the interim government, told reporters that the religious groups had extended unanimous support for the government.
India must recognise that the Hasina-led government has committed mass killings, he said.
"Whenever we get the opportunity, we tell India that the coordinated misinformation campaign by the Indian media about Bangladesh must be curbed. It poses a threat to the friendly relations between both countries," he said.
At the discussion with the religious groups, he said, "We sought to convey a message to both supporters and detractors of Bangladesh that the people of this country have reached an understanding from a communal standpoint. The government, formed through the July-August uprising, will work proactively to counter any conspiracies."
The government will not tolerate reckless behaviour, and would focus on building a national consensus.
"If we can unite -- politically and through communal harmony -- no propaganda from abroad will hinder our progress."
Regarding repression on minorities, he said, "Saying it doesn't exist at all would be untrue. When it happens, the media should report the measures the government takes to address it. For instance, after the Sunamganj incident, we took swift action. These efforts should be publicised to assure minority groups that this country belongs to everyone.
"Prof Yunus emphasised that harmony must go hand-in-hand with a sense of security. Citizens should feel free and fearless, and harmony should come naturally, not as a reaction to crises. It shouldn't seem like we only engage with Hindu and Buddhist communities during difficult times."
The interim government urged the religious groups to stand as a unified political community. "This unity will demonstrate our strength to the world and uphold the spirit of the July uprising."
He urged the media to ensure accurate, fact-checked reporting on incidents, so that the government could take necessary action.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam also spoke.
Saif
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Return to Dhaka for consultation
Dhaka has asked chiefs of two of its missions in India to return home for consultation after violent protests in Kolkata and Agartala against alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
Return to Dhaka for consultation
Govt asks Agartala, Kolkata mission chiefs
Dhaka has asked chiefs of two of its missions in India to return home for consultation after violent protests in Kolkata and Agartala against alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
Acting Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Shikder Mohammad Ashrafur Rahman has already returned to Dhaka, a foreign ministry official said yesterday.
Assistant High Commissioner Arif Mohammad in Agartala was also scheduled to return, the official said.
"They were asked to return to Dhaka for consultations on the recent attacks and demonstrations in India," he added.
Protesters burnt Bangladesh's national flag during a demonstration outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata on November 28, drawing condemnation from the interim government.
After the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala came under attack by members of a Hindu group on December 2, the Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranay Verma to hand a protest note. The Agartala mission also suspended visa and consular services after the attack.
The developments come ahead of the Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation which is expected to start in Dhaka on December 9 or 10.
This will be the first high-level meeting between the two countries since the fall of the Awami League regime in August.
Govt asks Agartala, Kolkata mission chiefs
Dhaka has asked chiefs of two of its missions in India to return home for consultation after violent protests in Kolkata and Agartala against alleged attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.
Acting Deputy High Commissioner in Kolkata Shikder Mohammad Ashrafur Rahman has already returned to Dhaka, a foreign ministry official said yesterday.
Assistant High Commissioner Arif Mohammad in Agartala was also scheduled to return, the official said.
"They were asked to return to Dhaka for consultations on the recent attacks and demonstrations in India," he added.
Protesters burnt Bangladesh's national flag during a demonstration outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata on November 28, drawing condemnation from the interim government.
After the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Agartala came under attack by members of a Hindu group on December 2, the Bangladesh foreign ministry summoned Indian High Commissioner to Dhaka Pranay Verma to hand a protest note. The Agartala mission also suspended visa and consular services after the attack.
The developments come ahead of the Bangladesh-India Foreign Office Consultation which is expected to start in Dhaka on December 9 or 10.
This will be the first high-level meeting between the two countries since the fall of the Awami League regime in August.
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‘Respect our sovereignty’
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday called upon India to respect Bangladesh's sovereignty and democracy.
‘Respect our sovereignty’
Fakhrul calls upon India
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday called upon India to respect Bangladesh's sovereignty and democracy.
He also urged India not to align with any specific political party, particularly Awami League, in a way that could undermine the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
"Bangladesh is a nation that fought for its independence through immense sacrifices," Fakhrul said during a rally in London at 2:00am (Bangladesh Time) yesterday.
Fakhrul criticised the recent incidents involving Bangladesh's diplomatic missions in India and raised concerns about border activities near Sylhet and Benapole.
"We are deeply hurt when baseless accusations and lies put the people of Bangladesh in danger," he said, questioning India's intentions behind these activities.
"We always hope India will stand by the people of Bangladesh and rectify past mistakes to rebuild trust," Fakhrul added.
The BNP leader emphasised the need for unity among political forces to safeguard Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.
Fakhrul calls upon India
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir yesterday called upon India to respect Bangladesh's sovereignty and democracy.
He also urged India not to align with any specific political party, particularly Awami League, in a way that could undermine the democratic aspirations of the Bangladeshi people.
"Bangladesh is a nation that fought for its independence through immense sacrifices," Fakhrul said during a rally in London at 2:00am (Bangladesh Time) yesterday.
Fakhrul criticised the recent incidents involving Bangladesh's diplomatic missions in India and raised concerns about border activities near Sylhet and Benapole.
"We are deeply hurt when baseless accusations and lies put the people of Bangladesh in danger," he said, questioning India's intentions behind these activities.
"We always hope India will stand by the people of Bangladesh and rectify past mistakes to rebuild trust," Fakhrul added.
The BNP leader emphasised the need for unity among political forces to safeguard Bangladesh's independence and sovereignty.
