JU Correspondent :
Eminent economist and teacher of Jahangirnagar University (JU) Economics department, Prof. Anu Muhammad said, “Religion and communalism are not the same thing”. He said, “Analyzing the communal incidents, two issues can be found, one is communalism, another is communal violence. There is communalism in this country for various reasons. But religion and communalism are not the same thing. Communalism is a tool of the opportunists. Even sometimes those who practice communalism don’t perform any religious activities.
Addressing at a human chain organized by the JU Teachers’ Association (JUTA) in protest of the communal attack at the central Shaheed Minar premises on Thursday noon, Prof Anu Muhammad said this.
“Not only minorities but also people across the country are being affected by this violence. But a portion of people are being benefited. They are finding their own gain at home and abroad. They incite communalism at different times. We have to be careful about them,” he added.
The Prof also said, ‘The trial of the previous communal attacks is still pending. The result has been a culture of impunity. This lack of justice is fueling such attacks. The state has to take responsibility for such incidents. If the state does not, such violence will happen again.
Criticizing the intelligence agencies, the economist told “Before the puja, the RAB DG said there was no possibility of an attack on the festival. But we saw the festival being attacked. On the other hand, writing two lines against the government does not take time to arrest anyone. These agencies are wasting people’s tax money. If the state does not take responsibility after these incidents, communal violence will happen again and again. This has been happening for the last few years. If all this happens, national development will be hampered. ‘
The Professor added, “If the minorities are not at peace, it will be a cause of unrest for the majorities. The majority of the people in Bangladesh are Bengalis, Muslims but many live outside of them. It is our strength as a nation of such diverse languages and castes. National development lies in respecting those other than the ‘I’ “.
“Those who have been affected and those who have been affected and those have not been affected suffer same. It’s even more frightening for those who haven’t been affected. “Freedom of expression is also a great way to stop communal violence, Anu Muhammad futhered.
Conducted by JUTA secretary Prof Amzad Hossain, Prof Shahedur Rashid of Geography and Environment department, Prof Tapan Kumar Saha of of Chemistry department, Prof ATM Atiqur Rahman of the History department, Prof Shamsul Alam Selim of Government and Politics department, Prof Jebunnesa of Public Administration department spoke on the program.
Presiding over the human chain, JUTA President Prof. AA Mamun strongly urged all to play a united role against communal forces.
Earlier, teachers, officials and employees held a human chain under the banner of Bangabandhu Teachers’ Council at the same place protesting recent sectarian attacks.
The JU VC Professor Farzana Islam joined the function virtually. The VC said, “This attack is a disgusting blow to non-communal Bangladesh.” The non-communal Bangladesh left by Bangabandhu is a reminiscent of Pakistani period. Everyone must stand united against this. ‘
Hundreds of teachers, office bearers and employees of various departments including the Pro vice-chancellors,Treasurer and Registrar were present at the occasion.
Meanwhile, the teachers and students of the Bangla department of the university organized a protest human chain in the same regards.
