Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front has urged the Indian media and religiously motivated political groups to stop spreading propaganda against Bangladesh.

The organization made the plea in a press conference held at the National Press Club on Thursday (Dec 5) at Zahur Hossain Chowdhury Hall.

Chairman of the organization, Bijan Kanti Sarkar, said that whenever the Awami League comes to power in Bangladesh, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian citizens are put in danger, living in constant fear and facing various forms of persecution. However, during other governments, particularly under the current government, Hindus have been able to live peacefully with equal rights in post-independence Bangladesh.

He further emphasized that during the periods of 1972-74 and the past 16 years of Awami League rule, Hindus and other minorities, as well as dissenting Muslims in some cases, have been oppressed and victimized in various ways. Sarkar also accused the Awami League government of appeasing Delhi for political gain while simultaneously allowing the persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. 

He claimed that the properties of Hindus, including temple lands, were illegally seized by Awami League activists, and the destruction of temples and mistreatment of women were led by 98% of the party’s leaders and activists.

Bijan Kanti Sarkar also said that the burning of temples in Bangladesh, particularly by Awami League militants, has been a widespread issue, with all such attacks occurring under the leadership or instigation of the party’s MPs. 

He alleged that, due to their power, the media in Bangladesh portrays the opposition party, Jamaat-BNP, as the culprits, while Indian media have been financially benefiting from spreading such propaganda.

Sarkar criticized the awami league for never taking action against the perpetrators of violence, citing the murder of tailor shop employee Bishwajit during broad daylight, which he claimed went unpunished.

He also stated that some sections of the Indian public and media, misled by Awami League's propaganda, have turned against Bangladesh and its people, aligning themselves with the real enemy, the Awami League and the Sheikh family. Sarkar urged the Indian public, media, and government to recognize their true friend in Bangladesh.

During the press conference, the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Welfare Front outlined five demands:

•    An immediate halt to the spread of all false propaganda against Bangladesh by Indian media and religiously motivated political groups.
•    Relations with neighboring countries should be based on humanity, not on religion, caste, or ethnicity.
•    Both Bangladesh and India are independent and sovereign countries, and mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and independence must be ensured.
•    The Indian government must refrain from showing unjust favoritism toward any specific party or ideology in Bangladesh.
•    The Indian government must stop all the divisive tactics employed by communal extremists that aim to undermine the unity of the people of Bangladesh.
•    These demands reflect the organization’s concern over the growing political tension and the alleged misinformation campaign being waged against Bangladesh by certain Indian political groups and media outlets.

BDST: 1716 HRS, DEC 05, 2024
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