Bangladesh Hindu Attacks: The Tarique Rahman-led BNP stormed to power after registering a landslide victory in the recent elections in Bangladesh. Last Tuesday, Rahman was sworn in as the Prime Minister. Nitai Roy Chowdhury, the only Hindu minister among the 50 ministers, also took the oath of office alongside Tariq Rahman. In an interview with TOI, Chowdhury speaks on the government's roadmap, addressing burning issues, including attacks on Hindus.
Chowdhury, Vice-President of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party's Central Committee, said the administration is committed to ensuring the safety of all minorities and restoring cordial relations with India. He stressed that fundamentalism will not be allowed to spread in Bangladesh.
Chowdhury, who won from the Magura-2 constituency, said that the previous government led by Sheikh Hasina had destroyed all the country's institutions. He said that until now, almost everything was in disarray. After being elected to form a new government, it is our duty to bring the country back on track.
Will Uphold The Principle Of Unity In Diversity: Chowdhury
Bangladesh's only Hindu minister said the BNP does not want to indulge in criticism of the past, but rather aims to move forward with new hopes and dreams to lead Bangladesh on the path of development. He asserted that the new government will work to restore all pillars, which were destroyed by the Awami League, while upholding the principle of unity in diversity.
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'Hindus Are An Integral Part Of Bangladesh'
On the safety of minorities, especially Hindus, Chowdhury said Hindus have realised that no party in Bangladesh can see them merely as a vote bank. They have realised that they are an integral part of this Bangladesh. Hindus make up about eight per cent of the population in the Muslim-majority country of 170 million people.
"The Prime Minister and other BNP leaders met with Hindu voters before the elections and assured them of security. They realised that they too are free citizens of this country and are entitled to equal rights to life and livelihood as enshrined in our Constitution. Therefore, they voted for the BNP in large numbers, for which we are grateful," he added.
India-Bangladesh Ties
Regarding relations with India, Nitai Roy said, "It is the duty of the new government to develop good relations with all neighbours, including India. We want relations that are based on mutual respect, interest, and understanding. We will work on issues related to the internal security of both Bangladesh and India."
As Minister of Culture, Nitai Roy said, "Bengali culture is rich, and Bangladesh has cultural ties with at least 48 countries, including India. The government will strengthen these ties by focusing on the traditions carried forward by previous generations while fighting extremism. We will all work together for a better Bangladesh."
Hindus Among Four From Minority Communities Win Elections
Meanwhile, four candidates from minority communities, including two Hindus, won in the recent general elections in Bangladesh, with all being nominees of the BNP. Goyeshwar Chandra Roy and Nitai Roy Chowdhury are the two Hindu candidates who won on a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) ticket. The third minority MP-elect is Saching Pru, a senior BNP leader and follower of Buddhist faith. The fourth minority candidate, Dipen Dewan, belongs to the Buddhist majority Chakma ethnic minority group.
(With Jagran.com inputs)