As Bangladesh prepared for the largest religious festival of the Hindu community earlier this month, communal violence spread in several parts of the country after news emerged on social media about the alleged desecration of the Quran at a Durga Puja site in Cumilla.
The recent incident and its ripple effects elsewhere have resulted in insecurity, and frustration among Hindus who make up 10 per cent of Bangladesh’s population, suggesting that the road to non-communalism and pluralism is still far away for Bangladesh.
Although security was heightened across the country, Bangladesh saw spates of communal violence, which led to at least eight deaths, scores of injuries, and thousands of arrests during the puja celebration.
Reports of attacks on Hindu temples, houses, business outlets, and arson were documented in at least a dozen districts, including Cumilla, Chandpur, Noakhali, Rangpur and Chattogram.
However, peace marches and protests against mob attacks were organised by several citizens groups. Whether it is students of the University of Dhaka, artists, or commoners, all were together in condemning the spread of communal violence.
And religious harmony has existed in the multicultural and multi-ethnic history of Bangladesh for thousands of years and secularism is the “soul of the country and its Constitution.”
Hindus have the right to worship as much as Muslims and people of other religious groups. The practice of the motto “each unto his or her religion, festivals are for all,” has been a part of everyday life here.
Leading theatre troupe Prachyanat and its friends organised a special event Saturday in Dhaka University campus to protest recent religion-based violence across the country and spread the message of communal harmony.
The programme featured street drama, performance art, installation art, recitation and songs. Theatre troupes, musical groups, reciters, painters, journalists, social and cultural personalities joined the programme to uphold the spirit of tolerance, inclusivity, peace and pluralism.
Prachyanat, Batighar, Battala, Theater 52, Pritilata Brigade, Mime Action (DU), Vaikuntha, Srota and others held candlelight vigils at the end of the programme.
Source: United News of Bangladesh