Yunus reassures religious leaders after tensions over Hindus
The head of the transitional government met 32 representatives of religious communities, declaring that everyone in Bangladesh is part of the same family and pointing the finger at the ‘disinformation’ of some Indian media. The pastor of the Dhaka cathedral told AsiaNews, ‘We recognised that although some incidents have occurred, exaggerated or false news is also being spread. We want to live in harmony’.
Dhaka (AsiaNews) - Bangladesh's chief advisor, Prof. Muhammad Yunus, yesterday convened a new meeting with Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist leaders at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka. The focus of the discussion was what he called the fight against misinformation published by the Indian media on the alleged persecution of minority religious communities in Bangladesh.
‘The Honourable Chief Adviser invited us to share our perspectives. We recognised that although some incidents have occurred, some media outlets spread exaggerated or false reports,’ Fr Albert Rozario, pastor of St Mary's Cathedral in Dhaka, told AsiaNews.
The meeting, which lasted two and a half hours, was attended by 32 representatives of various religious communities, 26 of whom spoke. The leaders of all faiths emphasised that people of different religions in Bangladesh live in harmony. They unanimously criticised the Indian media for spreading propaganda aimed at creating unrest in the country.
After their talks with Yunus, the religious leaders spoke to journalists. ‘The minorities in our country are safe and both the government and the religious communities are actively working to ensure harmony. We wanted to convey to the Chief Advisor that we are united,' the participants said in a joint statement.
The meeting came in the wake of tensions triggered by the 25 November arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Vaishnavite figure and former member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) in Bangladesh. Thousands of Hindus then protested and the Indian media broadcast reports of the difficulties faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh. In response, Yunus sought the input of religious leaders, having previously consulted with political figures.
P. Rozario acknowledged that while incidents of persecution have occurred in the past and continue at a minimal level, the recent arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das has created a climate of fear among minority communities. ‘Dr Yunus asked us to inform him if we minorities of faith were to face persecution. We urged him to create an environment where religious minorities can live without fear,’ Fr Rozario told AsiaNews, adding that he had called for the immediate release on bail of Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Sr. Reba Veronica D'Costa, a member of the Congregation of Our Lady of Missions and the only woman among the religious leaders present, stressed the importance of unity and vigilance against disinformation. ‘We, as religious leaders, are united in our desire for harmony,’ said Sr. D'Costa, a former superior of her congregation and an advocate of interreligious dialogue. ’We must remain vigilant to ensure that no media spreads false narratives about persecution. She also encouraged the youth of Bangladesh to show patience and restraint in the face of these challenges.
Islamic scholar and president of the As-Sunnah Foundation, Sheikh Ahmadullah, speaking about the recent incidents, noted: ‘Despite the murder of lawyer Alif in Chittagong and the brutal killing of two mosque construction workers in Faridpur, Muslims across the country have shown remarkable patience and restraint. We applauded this attitude and affirmed our commitment to preserving harmony'.
Mahajan Swami Hari Premanand, a Hindu leader of the Ramakrishna Mission, also echoed similar sentiments, saying: ‘The meeting focused on religious harmony. We want a neutral and non-sectarian Bangladesh. The discussions reinforced the importance of maintaining this harmony'.
Avinash Mitra, co-director of the Ramna Harichand Temple, expressed concern about outside influences. ‘Discord is fuelled by those who fan the flames. It is crucial to prevent outside forces from targeting Hindus in our country,’ he said.
During the meeting, Dr Muhammad Yunus emphasised unity despite differences in religion, caste and opinion. ‘In Bangladesh we are all part of the same family. Our differences do not make us enemies,’ he said. He also stressed the need to gather information carefully and respectfully, ensuring that no one feels embarrassed or threatened in sharing their concerns. ‘Those who are guilty of wrongdoing,’ he concluded, ’must be held accountable, but justice must be pursued without prejudice or division.
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