Dr Yunus calls for open discussions against minority attacks with religious leaders

Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus has called on religious leaders to engage in open discussions to gather information about minority communities in Bangladesh.

He emphasised that this would ensure “the real culprits are punished and people are happy that their grievances have been redressed”.

The chief adviser made the remarks while speaking at a dialogue with religious leaders at the Foreign Service Academy on Thursday, bdnews24.com reports.

On Wednesday, the Nobel Peace laureate convened a dialogue with several political parties including the BNP, and Jamaat-e-Islami at the Foreign Service Academy to forge “national unity” amid the country's ongoing situation.

His meeting with the religious leaders was part of a broader initiative to engage diverse groups in a dialogue to forge national unity amid rising concerns of communal violence.

Speaking at the dialogue, Dr Yunus emphasised the importance of gathering accurate information to verify the truth surrounding recent events. He also urged for swift justice to prevent similar accidents in the future.

He called for immediate, and unified efforts to address recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh.

Remembering his speech during the swearing-in ceremony, Dr Yunus said: “I made a sincere appeal to everyone. I said, we are a family.

“Our religion, beliefs, and customs may be different. But we are members of the same family. Despite hundreds of differences, we are not enemies of each other. We are united on the matter of nationality and identity. We are Bangladeshis, and part of one family.”

“I had been hearing news of atrocities against minorities after taking the oath. It upset me. Then I went to Dhakeshwari Temple and said the same thing. I said, equal rights for everyone. The constitution has given us that right. As citizens, we deserve it, and it is the responsibility of the state to ensure it. We have tried sincerely since the responsibility of the state is in our hands.”

Highlighting the news of attacks against minorities, he said: “I sat with everyone and discussed how to get out of this.”

Speaking of the Durga Puja celebrations this year, he said: “We have to ensure that there is no attack on the Hindu community.

Everyone was sincere about this. The festival was celebrated peacefully in thousands of temples. However, there was a cocktail attack in Taati Bazar. But that was the only incident. I got some satisfaction from it that we were able to celebrate the festival together with joy.”

“Now again, there are talks of attacks on minorities…it is being broadcast in foreign media. I am investigating why this is happening. Are the incidents true or is wrong information being broadcast?”

“I am investigating why it is happening, what is happening, and what is not happening. Or if the information we are getting is wrong. We are sitting blind if we are relying on falsified information. Why is there a discrepancy in the information? What they are saying is a lie. Or what we are saying is a lie? Where is the truth?”

He added: “Sometimes government departments cannot be trusted to provide the real information. The authorities say whatever they want. They do not want to speak openly, thinking higher-ups would be displeased.”

“I want to know the real news; I want to establish that process. Not just for today.”

“Incidents can happen. News is available immediately, from all sides. The guilty must be brought to justice.”

Dr Yunus said: “The first thing is to create an environment where it does not happen. And when it does, arrange for immediate remedies. Most people in the country think the same thing I am saying. We can fulfil our responsibilities as a family. Information and remedies are the big issues there.”

“When a problem arises, it must be resolved. Today’s discussion is open. We will all discuss. There is no confusion in our goal. How can we get the information flow, how can we catch the guilty, so that everyone gets the accurate information. We want to build a Bangladesh that we have named the new Bangladesh.”

“We have to do this. It has to be done quickly. We have to do it now. This is the purpose of our new Bangladesh.”