[Farhad Mazhar wrote the article in Bangla and it was published in daily Nayadiganta on 4 November, 2013. The article is translated into English]
While I am writing this article, shut down is going on following the call by the 18 party alliances. Hefazate Islam also launched their programmes to make their demands realized. A debate might be held on whether there was any scope of resolving the current political crisis through dialogue, or through liberal political process; but there is no utility further of that process. After the shut down has started, the course of politics would be clear in a few days ahead. Fairly a few things would be clear through the next 7 days’ programme. The future of Bangladesh would be written by the consequences of 7th November to the mass rally of Hefazate Islam on the 15th. There is no doubt on this.
I am writing this article with deep-rooted anxiety. There are many facets of these anxiety and concern. The first aspect is ideological, the second one is moral, and third one is determining the course of current politics and fourth is the sovereignty and security of Bangladesh. The ideological aspect is to defy communalism. Without defying communalism, construction of a democratic society and state is impossible. Irrespective of race and religion, everyone is citizen of this country. The main responsibility of maintaining safety and security of citizens lies with the state. And then it lies with the citizens. But we have seen that while the Buddhist habitat and temples were under attack, the executive power could not stop it. Or make it stopped. The citizens protested it seriously. Whatever we saw in the social force against communalism, that is not insufficient. But we could not make it present as a united social force due to partisan and ideological splitting. Even then, we could not but greet them, whoever fought wherever against communalism and communal violence.
Attacks have been started on the non-Muslim citizens for a few days, which is very dangerous. The incident that occurred in Shanthia, has a astonishing similarity of that in Ramu. This is clear that some evil forces want to ignite communal clashes in Bangladesh. That would be very dangerous in aspect of the present political situation in Bangladesh. Fairly a good number of people already have been protesting it on the streets and making people aware of this evil danger, in spite of staying idle at home. They deserve our thanks. All should extend support and solidarity to them at the fullest extent. In this dangerous moment, intentionally accusing some specific political side would be a very wrong policy. Because, to ensure unity in the society at any cost is our only task in aspect of communality and communal violence. Otherwise, we would be the game bird of those who want to earn political gain in the murky situations.
I do not demand for not accusing those against whom charges are specifically proved or those caught red handed. Rather we will do it. But we are also to make ourselves free from the mindset of racism and communalism that communalism only belongs to the Islamic parties. Mr Nandan Kumar Chakravarty of Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad said, “We consider that it is a plotting.” The daily Prothom Alo advocates that his observation should be addressed. We are fully according it.
Rather, our stand would be to alert the government on their responsibility and to compel the opposition alliance to take a firm stand against communalism. On behalf of the general mass, we would like to warn the opposition alliance that the main objective of the current attempt of communal clashes is to make the movement of the opposition spoiled. Thus it is a must for them to make active their Action Committees in the districts against communalism. Failure in this regard will surely cause their movement to fail. It is to be considered that Sajib Wajed Joy said, no Hindu would exist in the country if the opposition party would come to power. There is no scope to take this complaint lightly. It is a salient feature of regional and international propaganda against the opposition alliance. For this only reason, the politics of the opposition party would be fully defeated and overthrown. Because, one of the grounds wherein the opposition party could not achieve trust of the international community is that the non-Muslim citizens would be safe if the opposition comes to power. It doesn’t matter whether this reading is wrong or right, the opposition alliance should carry on their responsibilities. This reality should be accepted.
Thus the proper political and organizational preparedness should be undertaken, considering the recent incidents dangerous and to defy those. Not stepping on that, only passing irresponsible comments like that it is an effort of the evil community to create division, is not acceptable. We, the citizens want to know clearly that how the opposition will resist these communal clashes. We know that they are facing resistance and oppression. Despite that, the primary steps are to take the proper decision, protesting and remonstrance and to aware the members in the districts to be alert. And then, it is also a necessary task to finding out locally those, who are involved in this kind of detested offences, and to instruct the local supporters to keep the records and evidences in hand. The political winning of the opposition alliance became dependable on determination and success in defying the communalism.
The Islamists should be the most watchful. All the blames would be tried to impose on them whoever occurs the incidents. To blame on Jamaat-Shibir is the general formula. But this time the main attack is assumed on Hefazat-e-Islam.
There are multitude causes of being concerned. Hefazat-e-Islam is not an organized political party like Jamaat-e-Islami. Huge followers and supporters of them are there in the villages. It is easy to pick up any villager and prove him or her as a Hefazat follower, following any incident. In this aspect it is to be considered by the Hefazat-e-Islam that how will they resist communal attacks or clashes organizationally? In this aspect, it is very much urgent to alert, on behalf of them, strongly against the communal clashes and taking steps to defy those without making any delay.
Hefazat-e-Islam is conscious on this as observed. Recently Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi said, “The religion Islam guides to ensure full security for the minorities. Thus Hefazate Islam did not repress anybody ever. A 150 year old temple is situated near the Hat-Hajari Madrasah. Never anybody touched it. He also added to the non-Muslims, ‘We have no enmity to you. Please be alert on them who are campaigning false propaganda against us.’” No doubt, these are the words of our inspiration. Now the Hefazat workers should make his proclamation and directions realized. So they should adopt clear steps and programmes on ensuring security of the non-Muslim citizens in all the districts.
I repeat, the concern on creating communal clashes to gain from political friction is not a baseless one. I expect the government would dispose its duties and responsibilities. But regarding the question of ensuring security of the non-Muslims in Bangladesh, the political side in opposition and the religious movements should also prove that they are committed to establish a model in the subcontinent.
Otherwise, this only reason will cause imperialist aggression. ‘Women’ was the pretext in Afganistan, ‘Non-Muslim community’ would be the pretext in Bangladesh.
Beware Bangladesh! Beware the farmers, laborers and the general mass of this country! Beware the progressive youth of Bangladesh! Beware the non-communal pious people who believe in the Islamic beliefs and creeds. Beware the believers in Islamic politics who know that Islam could be proved as a religion of establishing justice only through ensuring security, dignity and rights of the followers of the other religions, not through any other way.
I am writing this article with deep-rooted anxiety. There are many facets of these anxiety and concern. The first aspect is ideological, the second one is moral, and third one is determining the course of current politics and fourth is the sovereignty and security of Bangladesh. The ideological aspect is to defy communalism. Without defying communalism, construction of a democratic society and state is impossible. Irrespective of race and religion, everyone is citizen of this country. The main responsibility of maintaining safety and security of citizens lies with the state. And then it lies with the citizens. But we have seen that while the Buddhist habitat and temples were under attack, the executive power could not stop it. Or make it stopped. The citizens protested it seriously. Whatever we saw in the social force against communalism, that is not insufficient. But we could not make it present as a united social force due to partisan and ideological splitting. Even then, we could not but greet them, whoever fought wherever against communalism and communal violence.
Attacks have been started on the non-Muslim citizens for a few days, which is very dangerous. The incident that occurred in Shanthia, has a astonishing similarity of that in Ramu. This is clear that some evil forces want to ignite communal clashes in Bangladesh. That would be very dangerous in aspect of the present political situation in Bangladesh. Fairly a good number of people already have been protesting it on the streets and making people aware of this evil danger, in spite of staying idle at home. They deserve our thanks. All should extend support and solidarity to them at the fullest extent. In this dangerous moment, intentionally accusing some specific political side would be a very wrong policy. Because, to ensure unity in the society at any cost is our only task in aspect of communality and communal violence. Otherwise, we would be the game bird of those who want to earn political gain in the murky situations.
I do not demand for not accusing those against whom charges are specifically proved or those caught red handed. Rather we will do it. But we are also to make ourselves free from the mindset of racism and communalism that communalism only belongs to the Islamic parties. Mr Nandan Kumar Chakravarty of Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad said, “We consider that it is a plotting.” The daily Prothom Alo advocates that his observation should be addressed. We are fully according it.
Rather, our stand would be to alert the government on their responsibility and to compel the opposition alliance to take a firm stand against communalism. On behalf of the general mass, we would like to warn the opposition alliance that the main objective of the current attempt of communal clashes is to make the movement of the opposition spoiled. Thus it is a must for them to make active their Action Committees in the districts against communalism. Failure in this regard will surely cause their movement to fail. It is to be considered that Sajib Wajed Joy said, no Hindu would exist in the country if the opposition party would come to power. There is no scope to take this complaint lightly. It is a salient feature of regional and international propaganda against the opposition alliance. For this only reason, the politics of the opposition party would be fully defeated and overthrown. Because, one of the grounds wherein the opposition party could not achieve trust of the international community is that the non-Muslim citizens would be safe if the opposition comes to power. It doesn’t matter whether this reading is wrong or right, the opposition alliance should carry on their responsibilities. This reality should be accepted.
Thus the proper political and organizational preparedness should be undertaken, considering the recent incidents dangerous and to defy those. Not stepping on that, only passing irresponsible comments like that it is an effort of the evil community to create division, is not acceptable. We, the citizens want to know clearly that how the opposition will resist these communal clashes. We know that they are facing resistance and oppression. Despite that, the primary steps are to take the proper decision, protesting and remonstrance and to aware the members in the districts to be alert. And then, it is also a necessary task to finding out locally those, who are involved in this kind of detested offences, and to instruct the local supporters to keep the records and evidences in hand. The political winning of the opposition alliance became dependable on determination and success in defying the communalism.
The Islamists should be the most watchful. All the blames would be tried to impose on them whoever occurs the incidents. To blame on Jamaat-Shibir is the general formula. But this time the main attack is assumed on Hefazat-e-Islam.
There are multitude causes of being concerned. Hefazat-e-Islam is not an organized political party like Jamaat-e-Islami. Huge followers and supporters of them are there in the villages. It is easy to pick up any villager and prove him or her as a Hefazat follower, following any incident. In this aspect it is to be considered by the Hefazat-e-Islam that how will they resist communal attacks or clashes organizationally? In this aspect, it is very much urgent to alert, on behalf of them, strongly against the communal clashes and taking steps to defy those without making any delay.
Hefazat-e-Islam is conscious on this as observed. Recently Ameer of Hefazat-e-Islam Allama Shah Ahmed Shafi said, “The religion Islam guides to ensure full security for the minorities. Thus Hefazate Islam did not repress anybody ever. A 150 year old temple is situated near the Hat-Hajari Madrasah. Never anybody touched it. He also added to the non-Muslims, ‘We have no enmity to you. Please be alert on them who are campaigning false propaganda against us.’” No doubt, these are the words of our inspiration. Now the Hefazat workers should make his proclamation and directions realized. So they should adopt clear steps and programmes on ensuring security of the non-Muslim citizens in all the districts.
I repeat, the concern on creating communal clashes to gain from political friction is not a baseless one. I expect the government would dispose its duties and responsibilities. But regarding the question of ensuring security of the non-Muslims in Bangladesh, the political side in opposition and the religious movements should also prove that they are committed to establish a model in the subcontinent.
Otherwise, this only reason will cause imperialist aggression. ‘Women’ was the pretext in Afganistan, ‘Non-Muslim community’ would be the pretext in Bangladesh.
Beware Bangladesh! Beware the farmers, laborers and the general mass of this country! Beware the progressive youth of Bangladesh! Beware the non-communal pious people who believe in the Islamic beliefs and creeds. Beware the believers in Islamic politics who know that Islam could be proved as a religion of establishing justice only through ensuring security, dignity and rights of the followers of the other religions, not through any other way.
