Kapaeeng Foundation

On 19 October 2012 at 3.00 pm, civic rights group organised citizen solidarity and protest gathering and cultural programme against recent communal and racial attack in Ramu and other areas of Cox’s Bazar. The demonstration was held by citizens group of all walks of life under the banner of “We want non-communal and racial discrimination-free Bangladesh” in front of the Swoparjito Swadhinota Chattar of Teacher-Student Centre in Dhaka University.

The citizens’ rally called for restoring confidence of the religious and ethnic minorities and a judicial probe into the incidents as the government’s probe failed to identify the real culprits behind such heinous attack. The demonstration demanded visible punishment for the perpetrators of the attack and the local administration for failing to take appropriate measures to contain such attack. Speakers at the gathering demanded banning political use of religion and developing the public administration and the national curricula based on secularism.

Presided over by eminent columnist and researcher Syed Abul Maqsud, the event was addressed by
convener of Gono Oikya Committee Mr. Pankaj Bhattacharya, vice chancellor of Jahangirnagar University (JU) Prof Anwar Hossain, organising secretary of PCJSS Mr. Shakti Pada Tripura, general secretary of Shammilito Sangskritik Jote Mr. Golam Quddus, presidium member of Communist Party of Bangladesh Mr. Samsuzzaman Selim,  Buddhist monk Dhorma Mitra, general secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Sanjeeb Drong, presidium member of Workers’ Party of Bangladesh Mr. Fazle Hossain Badshah MP, chairman of Shammilito San! gskritik Anlodon Ajay Roy, managing editor of daily Somokal Mr. Abu Sayeed Khan et al.

Eminent columnist Syed Abul Maksud said the progressive citizen wanted to see Bangladesh as a secular country in the world. But it is completely failed to be secular, not moderate Muslim country. Such failure led to continuous attacks on religious and ethnic minorities and their places of worship, he said. He however hoped that the government would take necessary actions to prove his doubt wrong.

Mr. Pankaj Bhattacharya also accused that it is a pre-planned attack on indigenous and minority people. He urged the government to take immediate action against those involved with the brutal attacks on innocent civilians.

Jahangirnagar University vice-chancellor, Anwar Hossain, laid stress on identifying the factors behind such attacks. He condemned the failure of the state machinery and questioned their functionality. The constitution was secular when Bangladesh was born. But it had been turned a communal one by the military rulers and it still remains the same. The constitution needs to be freed from communalism, he said.

Organising secretary of PCJSS, Shaktipada Tripura, said that these incidents were pre-planned backed by vested interest group from administration and political forces. A powerful axis which always remained invisible was behind the recent attacks in Ramu, Ukhia, Teknaf and Patiya and the attacks on Jumma people in Rangamati. The prevailing state of impunity encourages them to carry on such attacks repeatedly, he said. He also criticised government for following delay-dallying tactics.

Mr. Golam Quddus alleged the recent communal attacks on Buddhist community and indigenous people in different places including Rangamati were pre-planned which was supported by law enforcement and intelligence agencies. He said indigenous people and minority people need to be self determining to keep their existence as well as protect their security by integrating progressive power in near future.

Buddhist monk Dharma Mitra Mahastabir claimed that these incidents and arson attacks to temples did not demolish only historical proof by doers; they also tried to kill peace and delight among religious minority and indigenous communities. It is a conspiracy to destroy religious minority and indigenous people from this country. So, all progressive, democratic and secular powers should move forward together.

General Secretary of Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum Mr. Sanjeeb Drong said that minority and indigenous peoples did not receive any justice after having many communal attacks in past, that’s why the criminals are enjoying their crimes openly. He urged civil society to stand against fundamentalism.

Samsujjaman Selim said, “We want to see main culprits in court for punishment. The fundamentalist did not attack only Buddhist community, they attacked on progressive people’s mind. Indigenous people and other minority community should work collectively to keep maintain their existence against fundamentalism.”

Fazle Hossain Badshah MP said that it is a conspiracy by fundamentalists to damage indigenous and other minority communities’ culture, values in Bangladesh. The current communal attack will pose as a hindrance to address and establish democracy across the country. “We demand justice against recent communal attack and government should form a judicial inquiry committee to probe the communal violence” he added.

Teacher of mass communication and journalism department of Dhaka University Dr. Kaberi Gayen read out a declaration of the citizen solidarity and demonstration. The Programme was conducted by vice chairperson of Kapaeeng Foundation Dipayon Khisa and teacher of Dhaka University Apchadul Alam. A famous singer Kafil Ahmed Khan, Mita Haque and artists of Chayanat performed protest song and artists of Mukthodara recited revolutionary poems. Renowned intellectual Mr. Sardar Fazlul Karim, Mukthijuddo Jadughor Trusty Member Tarek Ali, IED Executive Director Numan Ahmed Khan, Dhaka University Associate Professor Shantanu Majumder, Dr. Shapan Adnan, Oxfam representative Saikat Biswas expressed their solidarity for religious minority as well as indigenous peoples.

The solidarity organisations on the event: Chayanat, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Nari Progoti Sangha, Oxfam, Bangladesh Adivasi Nari Network, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Jono Uddog, Bangladesh Adivasi Chattra Songram Parishad, Bangladesh Garo Chattra Sangathon (Bagachas), Kapaeeng Foundation, Pahari Chatra Parishad, Bangladesh Adivasi Odhikar Andolon, IED, Garo Students Union, ALRD, Bangladesh Indigenous Peoples Forum, Bishwa Shanti Parishad, Sonmilito Samajik Andolon, Samprodayeekota O Jongibad Birodhi Moncho, Parbattya Bhikkhu Songho, Action Aid Bangladesh, Bangladesh Chattra Union, Muktodhara etc.