Hindus in Bangladesh are in double trouble now-a-days because of the two legislations passed by that country’s government. In 1965, the then Pakistan government enacted a legislation called the Enemy Property Act, in the wake of 1965 War with Bharat. Bangladesh was then part of Pakistan and was known as East Pakistan. That law was specially and totally against the Hindus living in East and West Pakistan. Soon after the Independence of Bangladesh, the Hindus expected a total recall of that black draconian law, as the bilateral ties between the two governments became cordial and good.
The Sheikh Hasina Government of Bangladesh has scrapped the ‘Enemy Property Act’ and replaced it with a new legislation called ‘Return of Property Act’. Tribunals are set up under its provision. But this Act has become a contentious bone for the Hindus in Bangladesh. Every Hindu household is facing a legal action with the help of bureaucracy and Hindus are feeling the heat.
Another injustice the Hindus in Bangladesh are facing is grabbing of Math-Mandir property and the public property by the ruling Awami League leaders and cadres. They are threatening the Hindus asking them to leave everything in Bangladesh and migrate to Bharat. Young girls are forcibly kidnapped, converted and married to Muslim youths. Ironically, the Awami League claims larger support of Hindus in the country in the name of secularism. It is an open secret that without Bharat’s helps it was difficult for Awami League Party to free Bangladesh from the clutches of Pakistani rulers.
The above mentioned dangers to Hindus existed earlier but now they have assumed dangerous portents despite the claims of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her party leaders and administration. It is said that the properties of Hindus that were confiscated in 1965 War under the Enemy Property Act are in possession of the leaders and cadres of the Awami League and they are reluctant to return them. Even if the Prime Minister asked them to
do so, they would not because that would make them poor. So they are neglecting the words of the Prime
Minister. This has naturally resulted in frustration
amongst the Hindus in Bangladesh.
The enforcement of Enemy Property Act compelled majority of the Hindus to flee their homes and hearths and seek refuge in Bharat. This has benefitted the Muslims as they could grab the properties of fleeing Hindus in addition to already acquired property. This forceful acquisition also includes the property that belongs to Hindu maths and temples. All the parties – Awami League, BNP, Jamat-e-Islami are hand in glove in this property acquiring business.
Recently one such incident took place in Faridpur where under the Enemy Property Act, the famous historical Hindu Jamindar Badi (house of a Hindu Landlord) was acquired by Musharaff Hussain, a powerful minister in Hasina Cabinet. Hussain is father in law of Hasina’s daughter and Local Administration Minister in her Cabinet. He dared the Hindus that if they raised voice against this and they would be thrown out of Bangladesh. He even threatened the members of Bangladesh Hindu-Bauddh-Christain Eikya Parishad, an NGO that raised its voice against this injustice. The Prime Minister too did not took any action in this regard.
Besides Enemy Property Act, the Hindus in Bangladesh are constantly subjected to exploitation, injustice at personal level and insult to their gods and goddesses. The Hindus have voted for Awami League braving threats from BNP and Jamat-e-Islami. In 2014, the BNP tried its best to get the elections scrapped with the help of some western powers. Still the Hindus voted for Awami League and they had to face the music by BNP goons. Their houses, temples etc. were attacked, looted, and burnt. A cow was killed in front of a temple. In the capital city of Dhaka the Awami League leaders killed a cow in front of historical temple of Mahaprabhu in Rampura area. Awami League is allowing BNP and Jamat-e-Islami leaders and cadre in their party. They are the same people who inflicted inhuman atrocities and rapes on Hindu women and are hand in glove with the Pakistani army during the Bangladesh freedom struggle. And the Hindus who supported the Awami League are reduced to a mute spectator to this irony of fate. The day is not far off when Bangladesh would become another country where there would be no Hindu left.
Basudeb Paul
