Don't be 'caged' by minority status, Yunus tells Hindus

Chief Advisor Muham-mad Yunus says the Hindu community in Bangladesh should not be 'caged' by their minority status.

At a discussion at Dhakeshwari National Temple on Tuesday, he also urged Hindus to be patient and support the government, reports bdnews24.com.

"When cages are formed, there is fighting inside. We must instead stand united and claim our rights under the law."

Violence spread across the country after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on Aug 5. In addition to attacks on the homes of Awami League leaders, the houses, businesses, and places of worship of the Hindu community were also attacked.

Rana Dasgupta, general secretary of the Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, said in a press release on Aug 5 that attacks on Hindus had occurred in 29 districts across the country.

This led to protests by the Hindu community in various districts and Dhaka's Shahbagh.

Speaking at the event at Dhakeshwari Temple, Yunus said:

"You say, 'We don't get legal rights, the justice system doesn't look after us, police don't look after us, no one looks after us.' That is because we have not been able to establish the rights. We have not been able to implement the policy. We have organised institutionally, but it is a biased institution."

"We are one people, with the same rights. There can be no difference between us. Whether I can do it or not, judge that later. If I can't do it then you can blame me."

Bangladesh is 'one family' and there should be no question of making differences and divisions in the family, he said.

"We want to ensure that our Bangladeshi people are Bangladeshis. There can be no more differences. Our democratic aspiration is that we should not be considered as Muslims or Hindus or Buddhists, but as human beings. Let our rights be guaranteed."

If there is justice, won't everyone get it equally? Yunus asked.

Yunus urged them to push for establishing democratic rights, freedom of speech, and human rights without seeing themselves as a minority.

"This is our main goal. If you drag the issue of identity into it - I'm this, or I'm that - then you'll fall into the same old games. And those who are ready to hunt you will do so."

"But if you say - we are people, we are the people of Bangladesh, and we must be given our constitutional rights - this is what you should ask for from all governments. Don't ask for anything else."