Author: Editorial
Publication: The Statesman
Date: October 15, 2002
The recent attacks on Durga puja
pandals and systematic breaking of idols by ?unidentified? people in Bangladesh
is a matter of concern not only for the country?s minority but also for
its secular traditions. The attacks have unnerved the minority community
so much that the office bearers of the National Durga Puja Celebrations
Committee
had to call on the country's president
seeking government protection and security during the puja festivities.
What is alarming is that many attacks are carried out by newly founded
terrorist outfits like Harkatul Jehad; letters have been sent to puja organisers
warning them to desist from ?idolatry and other un-Islamic activities.
The letters also warned that not
even military would be able to protect temples and puja pandals as ?trained
jihadi commandos could level them in no time?. The victory of Begum Khaleda
Zia's four party coalition in last October's parliamentary election unleashed
unprecedented attacks on minorities. Hundreds of Hindu girls aged 2 to
65 were raped; incidents have been documented by Amnesty International.
In most cases attackers are allowed to go free as police refuse to accept
complaints from the minorities. Encouragement came from Begum Zia herself
who when opposition leader made highly irresponsible speeches inciting
violence against minorities. Her party leaders and those of the coalition
partners have advised minorities to ?flee to secular India for your own
safety.
Begum Zia is reaping the fruits
of what she sowed while in the Opposition.
Even now she makes no secret of
where her sympathies lie. Only recently her government released from. detention
seven Dhaka-based foreign nationals of Islamic countries working for a
rich and dubious Saudi-funded organization, which was accused of trafficking
in women and children with connections to Al Qaida. Her government has
been extremely secretive about the episode that has made some western donors
unhappy. Somebody should tell Begum Zia that playing the communal or fundamentalist
card doesn't pay. It always proves counter productive.
