Nasirnagar is not the true Bangladesh
I was born and brought up in Zakiganj, a part of the country best known for its conservative image. Of my friends, I am the only Hindu. But my friends have never made me feel like an outsider.
Not everyone in a community will be good or rational. Whenever I sense someone holding negative views against non-Muslims, I try to get to know them; in most cases we end up becoming good friends. In stray cases when someone is exceptionally insensitive, I just avoid them.
Incidents like Brahmanbaria make me worry for the victims first, and then for my friends – the good Muslims who I know will stress about my safety. That is the kind of respect I have always been accorded here. Unfortunately, the heinous acts of a few are smearing the whole community. I wish wholeheartedly that these incidents subside, so that we can feel proud of a peaceful Bangladesh where harmony and humanity prevails.
Mitun Roy
On e-mail
