Reject attempts to stoke fear, exploit tensions: Shafiqul Alam
"Bangladesh’s strength has always been its diversity and the shared belief of its people that this country must be safe and dignified for everyone," he says.
Chief Adviser's Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam today (10 January) urged the political parties, religious leaders, community organisations and international entities to reject efforts to stir fear or exploit tensions.
"Bangladesh's strength has always been its diversity and the shared belief of its people that this country must be safe and dignified for everyone," he said.
Responding to the recent reports by the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, Press Secretary Alam said he wants to thank the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council (Oikya Parishad) and other NGOs and rights groups for staying alert and for bringing attention to violence affecting minority communities.
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Like many Bangladeshis, Alam said, he is deeply concerned about the safety and dignity of every citizen. "I understand the fear and trauma these incidents create, especially among religious minorities who are an inseparable part of our society," said the Press Secretary.
"Protecting all communities, Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Muslim alike, is something I take personally. Every reported case is being investigated, and in most cases, arrests have already been made," Alam said.
The Home Ministry is working with local authorities to respond quickly, protect victims and witnesses, and ensure the law is applied fairly, said the Press Secretary.
At the same time, he said, they need to speak honestly with one another. "Not every crime involving a minority citizen is a hate crime, and saying so clearly matters. When everything is labelled the same way, it weakens attention to real hate crimes, such as the brutal lynching of Dipu Chandra Das."
He said many of the recent incidents they are seeing are also the result of years of politicising the security forces.
"Since the fall of the Hasina government, criminal groups and local rivalries have taken advantage of uncertainty, and people from all communities have suffered," Alam said, adding, "This is a time for responsibility, not division."
