Will hundreds of thousands of Hindus from Bangladesh come to India and take shelter? Though many Hindus came to cross the border and enter India when their neighborhood came under attack after Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled the country, they were convinced by the BSF to go back. The Exodus of Hindus has yet to be seen in the present crisis. This is contrary to what West Bengal BJP leader Subhendu Adhikari said. He declared that India should get ready to receive at least one crore of Bangladeshi Hindus, who will have no option, but to leave their home and hearth.
Hindus Come Under Attack
Subhendu Adhikari was proved wrong. There has been no exodus of Hindus from Bangladesh now. Why? Immediately after the then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina quit and fled the country to take shelter in neighbouring India, the government was plunged into anarchy. Hindus were at the receiving end of violence, their homes, places of worship, community centres, and educational institutions were attacked. A few Hindus were killed. But there were instances of Muslims coming in big numbers to protect the Hindus of their neighbourhood. The famous Dhakeshwari temple is such an example, which was surrounded by a group of Muslims so that no antisocial elements target it.
Hindus Hold Demonstration
Thousands of Hindus took to the streets in Comilla, Rangpur, Sylhet, Barishal, Maimansingh, Jessore and other places. They chanted the slogan “Aamar Mati, Aamar Desh, Chhadbo Na, Chhadbo Na” (It’s our land, it’s our country, won’t leave, won’t leave it). They also sang the song “you ask us to leave the country every time, does this country belong to you and your grandfather?”
Hindus Refuse To Leave Bangladesh
It was unprecedented that hundreds of thousands of Hindus marched on the streets of Bangladesh, and repeated their vows of not leaving the country, declaring their allegiance to the country. Earlier, Hindus fled Bangladesh and took shelter in India after coming under attacks when the government changed hands. But they got united, demonstrated, and raised their voices this time.
Muhammad Yunus Visits Dhakeshwari Temple
The voices of Hindus were heard this time. Chief Advisor to the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, visited Dhakeshwari Temple and assured its chief priest and other Hindu leaders that they would provide them security and maintain law and order. Before visiting the temple, the Nobel Laureate appealed for calm and communal harmony. He asked the student leaders why they could not guarantee the safety of Hindus when they had carried out a revolution and changed their regime.
Hindus Not Out Of Danger
Political observers believe that the Hindus are still not out of danger. Bangladesh is in a transition phase and soon the Islamist forces may surge ahead to demand their pound of flesh. Many believe that the student movement, born out of frustration against the Sheikh Hasina government, was hijacked by the Bangladesh Muslim Chhatra Shibir, the student wing of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami.
Jamaat-e-Islami Waiting For Opportune Moment
Jamaat-e-Islami is waiting patiently for the opportune moment to strike as it has found its bases among the people with Islamist leaning. The student movement has allowed it to go deeper into society, develop its roots, and make its presence strong. It is most likely to join hands with the Bangladesh Nationalist Party and fight the general elections, whenever it is held.
Why Are Hindus Targeted?
When the general elections are held in Bangladesh, it is most likely that the Islamist outfit will rake up anti-Hindu sentiments to consolidate its base. In an attempt to drum up support among the majority Muslim population, Jamaat-e-Islami may fan communal feelings and even attack some Hindu families to scare them.
Hindus are supposed to be supporters of Awami League and India, the main reasons for being targeted when the government is changed. Earlier in the past when Awami League lost the election and BNP came to power in 2004, Hindus were attacked and some of them fled the country. In the next general elections, whenever they are held, the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami are most likely to fan sentiments that may create problems for the minority Hindu population.
