Hindu Groups Angry Over Exclusion from Chief Advisor’s Meeting

Staff Correspondent

In a bid to foster national unity, Interim Government Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus held a series of meetings this week: with anti-discrimination student leaders on Tuesday, political parties on Wednesday, and religious leaders on Thursday. However, the exclusion of three major Hindu organizations from Thursday’s religious dialogue has left members of the Hindu community both angry and perplexed.

The meeting, intended to address ongoing religious tensions in the country, saw the participation of 32 representatives from various faiths, 26 of whom spoke during the event. Yet, representatives from Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, the National Puja Celebration Council, and the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha—the largest organizations representing Hindus in the country—were notably absent from the invitation list.

The absence of key Hindu organizations from the meeting has fueled dissatisfaction within the community. They argue that genuine representation is essential for addressing religious tensions and ensuring equality in Bangladesh.

When asked about this exclusion, government officials did not provide an official statement. However, an unnamed source from the Chief Advisor’s office pointed to Mahfuz Alam, a key figure responsible for preparing the list of invitees. The source explained, “The invitations were extended to imams, religious leaders, and priests, not organizational leaders.”

Hindu Organizations React, “Government Won’t Get Accurate Information Without Us”

The exclusion of key Hindu organizations has drawn sharp criticism.

Dipankar Ghosh, organizational secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council, stated:
“We were not invited despite being the primary representatives of these communities. Our organization works across districts and sub-districts, advocating for minority rights and addressing persecution. We possess crucial data that the government cannot access without us.”

He further mentioned, “We recently submitted a detailed report to the government, urging an investigation. Yet, we’ve seen no results. We’ve been gathering such data annually for years.”

“Those Invited Don’t Represent Us”

Gouranga Das Prabhu of the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha expressed similar frustrations:
“The representatives invited do not truly represent our community. Many of us don’t even know who they are. How can they provide accurate information or address our issues?”

He added, “A meaningful dialogue requires true representation.”

Government-aligned intellectual Farhad Mazhar acknowledged the exclusion, saying, “Key organizations like the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and Hindu Mahajot were absent. The government invited religious leaders, not political representatives. While this approach has limitations, it wasn’t a comprehensive or representative meeting.”

Mazhar emphasized the need for inclusive dialogue: “The government must listen to different perspectives. Denying people their right to assembly or dialogue only fosters distrust. The demands of the Hindu organizations, such as extending festival holidays, are reasonable and should be addressed.”

He criticized the lack of action against recent religious violence, saying, “Those who demolished shrines go unpunished, yet figures like Chinmoy Das face arrest. How is incitement a greater crime than destroying places of worship?”

But Netizens express outrage over Farhad as Chief Adviser’s meeting raises demand for the release of Sanatani leader Chinmoy Prabhu. They accuse Farhad of fueling ISKCON supporters’ protests by advocating for Chinmoy, a sedition case suspect. Many are now calling for his arrest.

Prominent Muslim religious leaders included 16 notable scholars, such as the Khatib of the National Mosque Baitul Mukarram, Mufti Abdul Malek, Secretary-General of the Qawmi Madrasa Education Board (BEFAQ) Mahfuzul Haque, and leaders of Hefazat-e-Islam, including Sajedur Rahman and Ahmad Ali Kasemi.

Representatives from other faiths included Albert Rosario, chief priest of St. Mary’s Cathedral Church in Ramna, Reva Veronica De Costa, a counselor at St. Francis Xavier School in Old Dhaka, Sukomal Barua, chief advisor of the Bangladesh Buddhist Federation, and Abinash Mitra, deputy religious secretary of the Ramna Harichand Temple.

Government representatives in attendance included advisors AFM Khaled Hossain, Adilur Rahman Khan, Mahfuz Alam, and Supradip Chakma, along with Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam. Poet and intellectual Farhad Mazhar also participated.