Editor
Bangladesh has plunged into unprecedented turmoil following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s sudden resignation and fleeing her country. Well before early July, widespread violent protests had erupted across the nation, reaching a boiling point on August 5th. The upheaval, led by various factions, including some radical ones, has targeted political figures and institutions while also brutally attacking Indian students and minority communities. The wave of violence has hit historical sites, including those connected to the country’s founding father, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Why the Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman suggested Sheikh Hasina resign is something that should put the Indian government on alert.
On Monday, August 5, the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka’s Dhanmondi area was turned into a focal point of destruction. Jubilant rioters ransacked the museum, which is dedicated to the memory of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. With euphoria, they stormed the building, smashing exhibits and tearing down memorabilia. Some of the angry mob attacked a statue of Rahman, where protestors climbed atop it and hammered its head with an axe. Isn’t this a clear attempt to wipe out the legacy of Bangladesh’s liberation leader, who played a pivotal role in the nation’s independence from Pakistan in 1971?
The violence has not been limited to property and historical sites. Specifically, the violence has targeted and killed members of minority communities. Eyewitnesses report that several houses, business establishments of minority communities, and sacred places of worship were vandalized and set ablaze. The ISKCON temple, known for feeding lakhs of hungry mouths, was also vandalized and set on fire. The angry mobs targeted the Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre in Dhaka, a prime hub for cultural exchange between India and Bangladesh. They mindlessly desecrated the bust of the revered U Tirot Singh. Shockingly, the rioters didn’t stop there; they looted the center, named after the former Indian Prime Minister who was instrumental in Bangladesh’s independence, and then set it ablaze.
Needless to say, at the heart of this chaos lies a deep-seated ideological rift. Besides political parties, some sinister factions within Bangladesh have stood against Sheikh Hasina’s government, branding it as too secular and cozily pro-Indian. The wave of violent protests clearly suggests not only political dissatisfaction but also a deeper cultural and ideological struggle within the country, which has all come into display. As Bangladesh navigates this unprecedented crisis, now under the care of Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, the international community cannot afford to remain complacent. Attacks on minority communities, including students, and the destruction of cultural and historical sites are alarming signs of growing intolerance and radicalization in the country. The situation remains highly volatile, with the potential for further violence that could put more lives and properties at risk.
Whether one agrees or not, amid this turmoil and blatant provocation by radical forces, Bangladesh’s future is predictably uncertain. It seems the nation will never be the same. This might affect the entire Northeast region. No exaggeration, the campaign of “India Out” initiated by BNP’s Tarique Rahman, son of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, is going to be a serious matter with his return home. At this critical moment, India must step up and take decisive action. Prompt intervention is essential given the sensitive borders. Most importantly, the safety and security of minority communities must be ensured, alongside the evacuation of all students whose lives are in danger. In such times, actions speak louder than words, and India’s timely response could be crucial in preventing further bloodshed.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong
Last supper parody
Editor
I write to protest the parody of the Last Supper at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The organizers have apologized to Christians and Catholics, saying their parody (which included a drag queen, a transgender model, and a singer impersonating Dionysus, the Greek god of wine) was “unintentional.” According to them (as reported in the Guardian), their intention was to “interpret Dionysus and raise awareness ‘of the absurdity of violence between human beings.'” But Christian groups and Catholics world-wide protested — rightly so, in my view.
There is a huge difference between criticising the unjust and unsavoury aspects of a religion — and committing profanities. In the case of western Christianity, these protest-worthy unsavoury aspects would include the violent Crusades, Christian anti-semitism, and the burning of witches. But to commit profanities against a religion is altogether different. This amounts to engaging in blasphemy, which should be discouraged, even rebuked (for the good of the rebuked) — not punished.
The root of the problem lies in the type of protest-politics thriving in the modern west — namely, a reactive, unthinking, hate-filled protest-politics. To protest homophobia and prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community is righteous. But to go along with their entire subculture, with no critical awareness of excesses can no longer be righteous. Such forms of protest succumb to what Augustine cites as the prophetic condemnation — “Woe unto them that call good evil, evil good, etc.” (rough paraphrase).
The multiplicity of genders and sexual orientations we are witnessing today is nothing but uncontrolled lust. It is in the very nature of lust that when left unchecked, it dissipates into a multiplicity of expressions and orientations that enhance the will-to-profanity.
I am not a practicing Christian, but am nevertheless offended that a sacred symbol was thus profaned, whether intentionally or not.
Yours etc.,
Deepa Majumdar,
Via email
Lachaumiere no longer a safe locality
Editor,
I am a resident of Lachumiere-Upper and through your esteemed daily, would like to bring certain anomalies prevailing at this locality for the past many years. I have been a resident of this locality since childhood and it brings me great discomfort to see the locality in shambles. Starting mornings, the road leading from Malki point towards the locality becomes a parking space for almost the entire day creating disturbance for the residents who use this road to drop their children to different schools in the city as the lane becomes too tight to manoeuvre.
During the day, cars are parked in almost the entire lane from Malki Point to Block-1 area by those who come to pick up their children from different schools around the locality. At night, this area is engulfed in darkness as there are no street lights and walking around these areas then becomes a risky affair as it is also a breeding ground for street dogs and other anti-social elements.
This locality has a Rangbah Shnong who, I believe, has not been in the best of health for months and is not seriously interested in the affairs of the locality. The last time I remember we had a general meeting and election of locality members was around, maybe, 10-15 years ago? How can it be possible that there has been no election of members since then and how can members hold the posts for that long without election?
People from other localities around the city say Lachumiere is a posh/hi-fi locality but I dread the day when they come here and stay for a day or two. Then they will know the reality of this place.
I love my locality and would love to see it get back its past grandeur. I sincerely urge the Dorbar of this locality to wake up from their slumber and correct the wrongs that are happening here.
I hope to see my locality get back its charm soon…
Yours etc.,
Name withheld on request,
Via email