Large-scale protests started in June in Bangladesh after a court ruling reestablished the controversial quota system for civil service jobs that most people found exclusive and discriminatory. The protests took a violent turn after the previous prime minister, Sheikh Hasina Wazed, insulted the protesters. It led to the death of more than 580 people, thousands injured, and the damaging of numerous buildings, mainly belonging to the government, their supporters, and religious minorities.

The protests ended with the resignation of Sheikh Hasina and her government. She then fled the country and went to India on August 5. On the same day, the army chief announced the formation of an interim government, with Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, being the chief advisor of the interim government.

Leaders of the religious minorities of Bangladesh have met with Professor Yunus to ask for protection and rights of religious minorities. Members of Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (BHBCUC) led the delegation. Oblate Archbishop Bajoy N. D’Cruze of Dhaka, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh (CBCB), was also with the delegation and presented a letter on behalf of the Christian minority of the country.

In the letter, he congratulated the students who stood against discrimination; he also presented the wishes and requests of the Christian minority and asked the government to ensure the protection and upholding of the rights of all the religious minorities.

“We expect that the interim government will take strong initiatives to build a Bangladesh based on justice and the rule of law, and that will be inclusive and non-communal.”

Even after Hasina fled the country and the interim government was established, in many instances the riots continued, targeting supporters of the previous government and religious minorities. According to the BHBCUC, 250 Hindu homes, businesses, and at least 10 temples, as well as at least nine Christian houses and organizations, have been attacked since August 5.

During the meeting, the delegation also called for equal rights for minorities, such as proportional representation in every sector, compensation for the damages suffered during the riots, and public holidays for religious festivals of the minority religions. Muhammad Yunus promised that he was going to consider the demands of the delegation.

Source: UCAnews

Photo: Wikimedia