Author: Daya Gamage
Publication: Asian Tribune
Date: August 3, 2007
URL: http://www.asiantribune.com/index.php?q=node/6798
An exhibition of photos and panels vividly
describing the atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh caught the attention of
influential Congressmen and key policymakers from the Bush administration
this week.
The two day-exhibition titled "Asru"
was held at the Rayburn House Office Building at the US Capitol on July 30
and July 31. The exhibit of 28 panels was put together by the Human Rights
Congress for Bangladesh Minorities (HRCBM) and Foundation Against Continuing
Terrorism (FACT).
"It is time that the world knew what
is happening with the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh," said Amalendu
Chatterjee, HRCBM Director. The population of the Hindus in this Muslim-majority
country, he pointed out, has dropped from as high as 37 percent in 1940s to
a mere 11 percent now.
"It is all because of the atrocities
perpetrated on the Hindus by the ruling class all these years," he said.
This first of its kind exhibit had a huge
impact on several Congressmen and key policymakers. "All the representatives
and their staffers reiterated the need to protect the rights of minorities
and to deal with Islamic groups in a resolute manner," said Utsav Chakrabarti,
the designer of the exhibit and member of FACT.
Moved by the graphic description of the condition
of the Hindus and other religious minorities in Bangladesh, powerful Congressman
Ed Royce (Republican-California) expressed optimism that due to this effort
by HRCBM and FACT, members of Congress will be educated "as to the extreme
challenge and persecution faced by Hindus, Buddhists and Christians due to
the threat posed by Islamic fundamentalism in Bangladesh."
Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democratic-New Jersey)
sponsored the event at the Capitol and stated: "I believe it helped to
bring much-needed attention to the plight of minorities in Bangladesh who
have suffered from increasing attacks over the past few years."
Joseph Crowley (Democratic-New York), founder
and co-chair of the Congressional Caucus for Bangladesh, and member of the
Congressional Human Rights Caucus, said the exhibition "serves as an
important reminder to the international community that we must remain vigilant
in preventing violence, suffering and loss around the world."
The event also had presentations by Rep. Ileana
Ros-Lehtinen (Republican-Florida), Ranking Member on the House Foreign Affairs
Committee, Rep. Mark Kir(Republican-Illinois), co-chair of the Congressional
Caucus for Bangladesh, Rep. Steve Chabot (Republican-Ohio) and Rep. Bob Etheridge
(Democratic-North Carolina).
Other speakers at a panel discussion organized
during the exhibition period included Richard Benkin, author and human rights
activist; Shahriar Kabir, reputed journalist and human rights activist; Samaresh
Baidya, senior reporter of Daily Bhorer Kagoj, a news daily in Bangladesh;
and Toni Van Pelt, Government Affairs Director, Center for Inquiry Office
of Public Policy. Also present at the event were Steve Snow, Senior Policy
Analyst at United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF),
and
T. Kumar, Advocacy Director, Asia & Pacific, Amnesty International USA.
Encouraged by the response, the organizers
have decided to take this exhibition to other parts of the country as well,
with Houston, Texas being its next destination later this month.
The 'Asian Tribune' serialized the pathetic
plight of Hindus in Bangladesh who have been subject to discrimination at
the hands of the radical Islamic rulers which vividly describe the atrocities
against the Hindus in this predominantly Islamic nation in South Asia.
Human Rights Congress for Bangladesh Minorities
(HRCBM) is a non-profit organization holding consultative status with the
United Nations. It is dedicated to protecting the human rights of religious
minorities in Bangladesh.
Foundation Against Continuing Terrorism (FACT)
is non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness of the effects of
terrorism in South Asia through exhibitions and conferences. (Source: FACT)