Victims and their families demanded justice today, grieving the losses from BNP-Jamaat’s arson attacks during 2013-2015 and 2023.
They questioned why they became victims of political violence despite not being involved in politics. When will their tears bring justice, the victims and families wondered.
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On Wednesday at 11 am, in front of the National Museum at Shahbagh, Bangabandhu Sangskritik Jote organized a human chain to protest the incidents.
The human chain was formed with the slogan “BNP-Jamaat, stop violence; we stand for humanity.” Along with the victims and families, various organizations and people from different professions participated, holding their own banners.
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On October 28, in a clash between the police and BNP supporters surrounding the party’s grand rally in Dhaka, police constable Md. Amirul Islam was killed. His wife, Ruma Akter, who participated in the human chain, asked why her husband, who was just performing his duty and was not involved in politics, was brutally murdered.
“It pains us to see those scenes. My daughter hasn’t seen them. How would she react? She asks about her father, and I can’t answer her. I have only one demand from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina: to punish BNP-Jamaat more severely than the way they murdered my husband,” said Ruma Akter.
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Runi Begum, mother of Nahid – a victim of the 2013 arson attack in Shahbagh – said her son was not involved in politics. He had come to Dhaka from Madaripur’s Shibchar, and never returned home. “BNP-Jamaat supporters burned my son alive on a bus. I request Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to ensure punishment for those who burned my son and their instigators,” she added.
Shikdar Mohammad, who was injured in an arson attack in Chattogram on December 3, said, “We are alive today because of Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burn and Plastic Surgery. Without this unit, majority of those severely burnt would probably not make it. May Allah keep Sheikh Hasina alive for many years.”
Dr. Samanta Lal Sen, coordinator of the burn institute, expressed his grief, “I have seen patients’ suffering up close. The agony of those burned in political violence is unimaginable. Willingly inflicting such pain, I know of nothing worse. Everyone dies, but everyone hopes for a natural death.”
“I have seen families who lost loved ones in political violence. They tell me they were not involved in politics. Why were they burned?” Dr. Sen asked.
“Please don’t burn people in such a brutal manner. Democracy is not about burning people. Come to power through elections. Burning people is not politics,” he urged.
Professor Kamrul Hasan, general secretary of Shadhinota Chikitshok Parishad, highlighted, “You’ve seen how a child in a mother’s arms on a train was brutally burned. We will give them a fitting reply in the January 7 election.”
Tarana Halim, former Post and Telecommunications State Minister, presenting statistics on BNP-Jamaat’s arson terrorism, said, “Many people lost their lives as victims of BNP-Jamaat terrorism. In the pre-2014 election violence, 3,000 people were burned, 47 died, and 21 law enforcement members were killed. Twenty-six presiding officers were murdered on election duty, over 500 schools were burned, and much more destruction was caused. This terrorism continues in 2023. We stand against arson terrorism and demand justice.”
Former Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University, Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, said, “Arson terrorism is a crime against humanity. Those committing these crimes must be brought to exemplary justice. We will give a mandate in the upcoming January 7 election, so that we can eradicate this heinous crime from Bangladesh.”
Those speaking at the human chain also slammed the hypocrisy and politics of denial demonstrated by BNP leaders, including Ruhul Kabir Rizvi, centering the arson attacks and violence that have gripped the country since October 28.
Participating organizations included Bikkhubdho Shilpi Shomaj, teachers of Jagannath University, Jatiya Garments Sramik Jote Bangladesh, Mukto Garments Sramik Federation, Muktijoddha Oikyamoncho, Peshajibi Shamannay Parishad, Bangabandhu Prokoushal Parishad, Sammilito Sramik Federation, Garment Trade Union, Bangladesh Group Theater Federation, Bangladesh Retired Government Employees Welfare Association, Work for Better Bangladesh, Bangladesh Human Rights Foundation, Saptadinga NGO, Poribesh Bachao Andolon, and One Bangladesh.