Attackers of religious minorities won't be spared

There will be no place for the perpetrators, who attack on religious minorities in Bangladesh, said Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam yesterday.

"I was very shocked hearing that houses and businesses of Hindus had been attacked and grabbed in some areas. We cannot allow such things in an independent country," he said.

Ashraf, also general secretary of Awami League, said this while inaugurating a procession of Hindus at the capital's Palashi intersection yesterday, marking Janmashtami, a religious festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna.

"Bangladesh is a country for all -- Muslims, Hindus, Christians and all other citizens. Our prime minister has specifically given us directives that those, who are involved in such activities, will not be spared," he added.

"The perpetrators, who attack religious minorities, are cowards… Sheikh Hasina's politics does not allow looting, grabbing of lands and properties dividing people on the basis of religion," said Ashraf.

A kid dressed as Lord Krishna in the Janmashtami procession at Palashi of the capital yesterday. Photo: Anurup Kanti Das

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sayeed Khokon and over a dozen of Hundu community leaders spoke at the inaugural ceremony of Janmashtami procession that ended at Bahadur Shah Park near Sadarghat.

Addressing the event, Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Oikya Parishad General Secretary Rana Dasgupta urged the government to take necessary steps to establish a congenial atmosphere where people of all the communities can live with equal dignity and rights.

Lord Krishna, the incarnation of God, descended to this world some 5,500 years ago on the 8th lunar day of dark fortnight in the Bangla month of Bhadra to establish love, truth and justice, and to safeguard the good and pious people from the hands of evils, according to the Hindu mythology.

Hindus observed the day fasting and thinking divine of God to purify their hearts.

Thousands of people, some dressed as Lord Krishna, Krishna's father Basudev, mother Deboki, brother Balaram and maternal uncle Kongsha, on foot and on over 100 trucks joined the traditional procession.

Bangladesh Puja Udjapan Parishad and Dhaka Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee jointly organised it.

The parishad's President Kajal Debnath said around 110 different social, cultural and religious organisations joined the procession.

Similar processions displaying the events of the life of Krishna were brought out in different other cities.

Our staff correspondent from Chittagong reports, a colourful procession was brought out from Andarkilla Intersection by Sree Sree Janmashtami Udjapan Parishad, Bangladesh, which marched different thoroughfares in the city.

Our Barisal correspondent adds, the Hindus with musical instruments, placards, banners, and festoons brought out similar procession in the city.

Rakhal Chandra Dey, president Dharma Rakkhini Sava, presided over the inaugural function of the festival on Line Road-Sadar Road crossing.