Those Bengali Muslim nationalists who once championed the creation of Pakistan and their intellectual supporters were able to be portrayed as ‘evil’ before the public by labeling them as atheists and secularists. They were also portrayed as Hindus or Indian agents because India supported the liberation war. This is how the Awami League became known in Bangladeshi society, shaped by the BNP. Yet, it was the Muslim League that shaped the creation of Pakistan! The ‘Awami Muslim League’ was first born under the umbrella of the Muslim League and later became the revised ‘Awami League.’ They were never secular supporters. Even if it was a 100% Muslim country, it had to be a tolerant, liberal, and progressive country, or else they would not be able to live there themselves.
Their secularism was not for the sake of Hindus or indigenous people. If minorities live well under this secularism, that is but a by-product. It must be remembered that the main purpose of the creation of Pakistan was to politically, socially, and economically eradicate the Hindu community from East Bengal. Those who did this were ‘Muslims’ during the Pakistan movement, then became ‘Bengali Muslims’ after the creation of Pakistan, and by the 1960s, simply ‘Bengali.’ After the country’s independence, they reverted to ‘Bengali Muslims.’ Their color changes by the hills and the plains, by the race. This is where the historical truth is hidden. The staunch supporters of the Muslim League believed that all Hindus would migrate to India. Jogendra Nath Mandal, a leader of the Scheduled Castes, became a minister in Pakistan. Under his direction, many from the Scheduled Castes stayed in Pakistan. But they faced terrible consequences there.
The Scheduled Castes were massacred, and Jogendra Nath Mandal fled the country, taking refuge in India.
During the 1964-65 Pakistan-India war, Hindus who stayed in East Pakistan were seen as ‘Indian agents,’ and their properties were confiscated as a successful implementation of Hindu resentment. When the state commits such acts, it can be excused as the fault of the rulers, but when history is concealed or downplayed, it reflects the will of the people. The history of Hindus from all strata of society in East Bengal becoming refugees and leaving the country due to Partition has never been portrayed in East Bengal’s literature, cinema, or art.
The Noakhali riots have never been depicted in novels or dramas. Even though thousands of books, films, and literature have been written about the liberation war, there is no recognition of the specific religious persecution and sacrifices that Hindus endured, similar to the ‘Jewish Holocaust’ in World War II. This has happened because today’s writers and intellectuals were also born under the cloak of the Muslim League; some became communists, some nationalists, and some progressives.
To understand communalism in Bangladesh, one must understand the ‘Larke Lenge Pakistan’ (We will take Pakistan by force) slogan chanted by the people of this country on behalf of the Muslim League. After the Babri Masjid was demolished in the 1990s, the incidents of attacks on Hindu temples, looting, and vandalism of homes in Bangladesh were dismissed as minor, isolated events by Ahmed Sofa. He refused to acknowledge the existence of any fundamentalist force in Bangladesh. He claimed Hindus were under no harm. It’s worth considering that when Taslima Nasreen wrote the novel ‘Lajja’ (Shame) about those events, she became a target not only of fundamentalists but also of contempt from people like Ahmed Sofa. None of the established writers in Bangladesh supported Taslima at the time. If she had not written this novel, perhaps the events leading up would not have her having to forsake her motherland.
There seems to be no end to this. Hindu leaders are busy securing their own interests. Where will the ordinary Hindus, who have not set up homes, cars, or businesses in India, go? The budget for puja in the elite areas of Dhaka is four to five crore taka. Every year, they demand government or private grounds for puja, only to be humiliated. Yet, with just half of one puja's budget, a permanent plot of land could be purchased for the mandap. But they won’t do that. Perhaps they think, since we will leave anyway, why bother buying land for the puja? This mentality of wealthy Hindus has wiped out the Hindu community in this country. These leaders are profiting off the oppression and persecution of ordinary Hindus in villages and towns. They are also responsible for erasing the history of Hindu persecution. They do not allow black flags to be raised in protest at the mandaps against the oppression, as they want their share of the political spoils. They even organize events inviting the ministers who claim 'no attacks occurred during Durga Puja in Bangladesh.'
The fight must begin from home. Emigration is not a solution for Hindus. Hindus must fight for their rights in this country, not flee like cowards.
The fight must start at home. We must reject these self-serving Hindu leaders. We must clearly assert our rights as citizens of this country and start anew. This autumn, we must take this pledge. Leaving the country is not a solution. This country belongs to all of us. So, protest. Fight.
Concluded
Tilottoma Saha is a
cultural activist
tilottoma2378@gmail.com
