Whereever I visited in the west, Africa and other places of the world, I usually heard that Hindus are peaceful, soft and adjusting community. During my research and field work in the Netherlands, I heard from the mouth of many Dutch people that- we don’t face any problem with Indian migrants either People of Indian origin (PIO) or NRIs. Then what happened in Bangladesh?
The question arises here that community which is known for their adjusting nature, softness and submissiveness are facing brutal attack by extremist communal forces in Bangladesh. It shows that the chemistry of Bangladesh has been changed now.
Historically speaking, the Bangladesh is the byproduct of colonial politics which fragmented Indian nation. But as nation it is emerged through an independence struggle led by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman from oppressive hegemony of Pakistan. During this second independence, Bangladesh evolved as an idea of nation. In the Idea of nation of Bangladesh, a gratitude for Indian support to Bangladesh against Pakistani control and army attack was in-built. Secondly, In Bangladesh, with religion, the shared Bangla culture of Muslims and Hindus has evolved another uniting idea which worked as one of the core foundations of Bangladesh. The Bangla language and cultural heritage are shared by both Muslims and Hindus in the country. Except the religious practices, both communities associates with Bangla identity.
As we know the Islam is dominant religion in Bangladesh, followed by 91.04 per cent of its population. The Hindu constitutes 7.95 of its population as the second largest religious group, according to 2022 census. The Buddhist constitutes 0.61 percent and Christian are 0.30 percent. In the idea of the nation of the Bangladesh, an aspiration towards modernity is described many times. It is true that Islam is the state religion of Bangla Desh but it is perceived as modern Islamic nation. In modernity as value the religious segregation, discrimination and violence on others are vehemently criticised. The question that arises here, whether Bangladesh is shifting its aspiration from becoming modern nation to the nation of medieval brutal values . Is it rejecting its shared nature of Bangla culture, history and values?
The recent development in Bangladesh has indicted that Bangladesh is moving towards religious autocratic state. The change in the political regime may be considered as major cause for this transformation in the foundational idea of Bangladesh. The Jamat who lead the movement of regime change in Bangladesh by evoking student movement against Shekh Hasina is the main architect of this transformation foundational idea of nation in Bangladesh. The Jamat as an Islamic organisation acquired political role here and is directing this political shift. Unfortunately, this shift has turned toward anti-Bharat and anti-Hindu. The Indian government is working diplomatically to slow down the effect of this crisis. Recently, the visit of foreign secretary of India Vikram Mistri yo Bangladesh and his meeting with Mohammad Yunus, chief advisor of interim Bangladesh government is one of the similar attempts initiated by Government of India.
The attack on Hindus in Bangladesh has created enormous concern and worries among the people of India. The public of West Bengal is closely connected the neighbouring countrry. The concern of Indian people against violence on largest minority group, the Hindu community in Bangladesh reflected in Indian politics too. The BJP among all Indian political parties is most vocal and assertive against this issue. The West Bengal unit of BJP organised various demonstrations and protest against the in human treatment with Hindu public by extremist forces in Bangla Desh.
Trinamool Congress also sharply reacted against the volent attacks on Hindus of Bangladesh. Trinamool leader and West Bengal Chief minister Mamata Banerjee clearly showed her stand to support the PM Modi led Central government and its stand on Bangladesh and its initiative to ensure safety and security to the Hindus in Bangladesh. In the Opposition, I.N.D.I.A bloc TMC is an important constituent wants to make condition of Hindus in Bangla Desh as an important concern in the debates of ongoing parliamentary session.
However, Congress and many other parties of the Opposition have not asserted sufficiently on this issue. It is interesting to observe that the political parties who constantly showed their concern for Muslim as minority community in India on the name of secularism are almost silent on the volent attacks on the Hindus as minority in Bangladesh.
It shows a contradiction in their politics. However Indian Hindu public and also section among Indian Muslims are of the view that such treatment with the Hindus in Bangladesh must stop soonest. In my view the political parties who may not respond to the desire of large section of public may lose their influence and credibility in the coming days. We need to understand that the public records in their memories each and every act of the politicians.
