New Delhi: With reports of Hindus in Bangladesh being targeted by radical Islamist elements in the backdrop of unrest, some Muslim leaders and student groups are being seen guarding temples and churches across the country.
In Chittagong city, student movement’s leaders have taken it upon themselves to guard Hindu temples and churches.
Anti-discrimination students’ movement, Chittagong University coordinator, Russell Ahmed told Bangla Tribune, “Miscreants are systematically attacking various public and private institutions to prove the students’ movement wrong.”
Ahmed continued to say, “To prevent any kind of attack on the places of worship, temples, and churches of different religions in Chittagong, we have made a committee in each district and upazila to keep watch from Monday evening. Besides, I have instructed every coordinator of Chittagong to stay in the field to ensure the security of government buildings including places of worship.”
Former convener of Chittagong Bangladesh Nationalist Party Shahadat Hossain said, “Everyone has to be patient and protect state resources. Our leaders and activists should be careful not to attack any leader of a different party, religious temple, madrasah, church, or place of worship.”
Parliament dissolved
Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin has dissolved the parliament – where Sheikh Hasina’s party Awami League had a majority – to make the way for an interim government to take over.
According to Dhaka Tribune, the decision was preceded by President Shahabuddin’s meeting with heads of three armed forces, representatives from political parties, student movement leaders and many civil society groups.
Soon after Hasina resigned and fled the country on Monday, August 5, Bangladesh Army chief Waker-Uz-Zaman appeared on national television to announce that an interim government would be in place.
A press note issued by the President’s office on Tuesday also confirmed that Bangladesh National Party chairperson Khaleda Zia had been released. It also added that the process of releasing those who had been detained between July 1 and August 5 for taking part in students’ protests was underway.
