KOLKATA: Muslims in West Bengal, including civil society and religious figures and youths, have strongly condemned the violence in Bangladesh during Durga Puja last week that resulted in the deaths of at least four persons.
Some have taken to social media to express solidarity with the victims of violence while others have issued public statements urging the Bangladesh government to make all arrangements for the safety of minorities and to bring the perpetrators to book.
Bengal Imams’ Association issued a statement condemning the “unIslamic” incident and called for the safety of minorities in Bangladesh.
“The minorities should have been celebrating Durga Puja but instead they are living in fear. How can the act of a person be held against an entire community and hounded like this? As minorities in India, we understand what our Hindu brothers and sisters are going through and their concern for their safety and those of their near and dear ones. Thousands of Durga Pujas are organised in Bangladesh every year, but such an incident has never been heard of,” said association chairman Mohammad Yahya.
Businessman and social activist Mohammad Tauseef Rahman, who along with other residents was instrumental in reviving a Durga Puja in predominantly Muslim Alimuddin Street this year after nine years, is shocked at the events in Bangladesh.
“I frequently travel to Bangladesh and have noticed that minorities have carved a niche in every sphere of society there. The news of vandalism and subsequent violence have come as a total shock. I condemn the incident,” he said. “The government there should probe if anybody is trying to disturb peace in this region by creating such rifts,” he added.
Teacher and political analyst Hasnain Imam said hate crimes should be strongly condemned, irrespective of where they took place and against whom. “In South Asian region, the position of all minorities is increasingly becoming vulnerable. So it is very important that hate crimes be condemned in the strongest way possible,” he said.
Several young Muslims too took to social media to protest against the incident. “Nobody must be targeted for their faiths and beliefs. It is the responsibility of the Muslims in Bangladesh to protect their minorities,” said college student Ayesha Fateh.
