US Congressman Joseph Crowly visits Bangladesh

 Ajoy Roy 

Published on May 03, 2009

Congressman Joseph Crowley, co-chairman of US Congress Bangladesh Cocas is on 2-day visit in Bangladesh coinciding with historic language martyr day, 21st February. Mr. Crowley�s purpose of visit as learnt is to meet minority leaders of different religions. It is learnt that after arriving Dhaka, the congressman paid respect to the martyrs of language movement by placing wreaths at the altar of the central Shahid Minar at 2-00 p.m.

 

He then visited the following places.

 

  1. Dhakeswari Temple complex at 2-30 p.m. where he heard the Hindu leaders of the Mahanagar Sarbajaneen Puja Committee, and leaders of Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCOP) including Major General (retd.) C. R. Datta, President of the council, and Council secretary Dr. Nimchandra Bhoumick. The leaders apprised the congressman of the plight of Minority Communities in general, and of Hindu Communities in particular. The leaders informed that the community is not only being physically persecuted, their properties are being grabbed under various plea by the local powerful groups often given support by the political parties now in government, and due representation in government, semi-government, military establishments is being denied. The BHBCOP had submitted a memorandum to the Congressman Mr. Joseph F Crowley which demanded

* Repeal of the 5th and 8th amendment of BD constitution, which had added Islamic flavour to it, so that a secular democratic republic could be established.

 

* Holding a fair election in which minorities could take part freely and fearlessly under a true neutral caretaker government and an independent election commission.

 

* All eligible minority voters must be included in the voter list, and 5.5 million voters now living in India who left their motherland for persecution must be included in the list.

 

* Equal rights and proportionate representation in all spheres of life, such as national parliament, ministry, government and autonomous bodies, and defence etc. must be guaranteed.

 

The memorandum pointed out that large-scale persecution and violence against minorities sprang directly from �the policy of communalism followed by the government and Islamization of BD constitution.� The extremists usually get the support of government machineries locally as well as centrally. It also demanded for safe return of 10 million Hindus who fled from BD to take shelter in India at various time.  

    

  1. Central Ahmeddiya Mosque complex at Buxibazar at about 3-30 p.m. The leaders of the Ahmeddiya sect informed the congressman of the constant harassment on the community by section of fundamentalist Sunni Muslim and threat to their place of worship known as Ahmeddiya Mosque (Masjid). Many a times in recent past attacks on their mosques were made to occupy the place of worship with the intention of converting it to Sunni Muslim�s mosque, complained a leader of the community, Mir Mobaswer Ali, Nayeb e Ameer of Ahmeddiya Jamat. He further said that if government wants it could arrest and handle with rigid hands such fanatic movement directed against a peace loving small Muslim sect known as Ahmeddiya. In this connection he cited the event of attempted attack on an Ahmeddiya mosque at Trishal on 10th February that was repulsed by the prompt police action. The hooligans fled away.

 

  1. Catholic Christian Church complex at Kakrail at about 4-30 p.m. He had an exclusive talk with the new Archbishop of the Church Polinus.

 

The congressman Mr. Joseph Crowley after meeting the religious leaders of three major minority communities opined in presence of the accompanying journalists that �It is the prime and sacred duty of the government to protect the rights of the minorities.� And a democratic government must do it �to uphold the democracy in the country�. There had been some instances of human rights violations on various minority communities in Bangladesh- he admitted. �In the homework of democracy the duty of majority is to protect the minorities� rights�, the congressman remarked in presence of the journalists after he had exchange of views in the Ahmeddiya complex. He appreciated the existing religious harmony and practice of democracy in the country, but said, �the government must take appropriate measures on the allegations of persecution and deprivation of the minority community in Bangladesh. It is no denying of the fact that minorities are afraid and are sensing threat from the majority community- he remarked; but hurriedly added, �I think, probably, it is minority within majority that makes that.� But is really so, I wonder! What about the role of the government and its local agencies including the police system ? Do they not work under the direction of the central government and party bosses ? Who will answer the question Mr. Crowley ? The minorities cannot express their views verbally or through publications- if these allegations are true, then this constitutes violation of human rights, the co-chairman admitted. For example Ahmeddiya� publications have been forfeited and banned for some time by the government executive order. Same is true for other religious communities.

 

The congressman might see the PM of BD, the leader of the opposition and AL chief, and Foreign minister tomorrow, 22nd February 2006 before he meets the press at American Centre in the afternoon. He leaves Dhaka on the following morning, it is learnt.

 

But could such sporadic visits on the part of the International figures and human rights affect the intolerant attitude and the communal and fundamentalist character of the government or its allied political parties. Leave aside Jamat. BNP is also an Islamic and Moslem nationalist party, which draws its inspiration from Islam and Sunna. Secularism has no place in political philosophy of BNP. But unless a true secular political system is restored in the country communal harmony will remain a far cry. And there lies the crux of the problem. 

Prof. Ajoy K. Roy, is a reputed scientist and human rights activist from Bangladesh, He sent this article from Kolkata.