2016 Nasirnagar Violence
The 2016 Nasirnagar violence was an attack on Hindus by Islamist groups in Nasirnagar, Bangladesh. It started because a Hindu fisherman was blamed for a Facebook post against Islam on October 30, 2016. In the attack, 19 temples and about 300 houses were damaged, and over 100 people were hurt.[1][2]
Beginning of the incident
changeIn Haripur village, Rasraj Das was accused of posting a picture on Facebook. The picture mixed a photo of the Kaaba with a picture of Shiva. On October 29, a group of Muslims hit Rasraj Das and gave him to the police. He was charged with blasphemy and sent to jail under section 57(2) of the ICT act.[3] Later, Rasraj said he did not know how to use Facebook, and someone had hacked his account. The post was also missing.[4][5][6][7]
Attack
changeIn 2016, a group called "Pure Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat" held a protest at Nasirnagar Government College, claiming that their religion was insulted. After this rally, about 3,000 Muslims attacked Hindu areas.[8] They destroyed about 300 houses, temples like the Gaur Temple, idols, furniture, and donation boxes. They stole TVs, valuable items, and money. More than 50 people were hurt. Rasraj’s house was damaged. Priests, including Shankar Sen and Narendra Prabhu, were attacked. Temples such as Jagannath Temple, Kali Bari Temple, Shiva Temple, Durga Temple, and many others were vandalized.[9][10]
A second attack on Hindus happened on November 4. Some people blamed Mohammad Sayedul Haque, a local leader and government minister, for making bad remarks.[11] Awami League leaders were also blamed.[12][13] Dewan Atiqur Rahman Akhi, a leader from Haripur, was called the mastermind. Other leaders involved were Md. Akhtar Mia and Abul Hashem.[14]
What happened after
changeEight cases were filed about the attacks. One was handled by the Detective Branch, and six by local police. Over 2,000 suspects were identified, and 126 were arrested. A forensic report found no bad image on Rasraj’s phone. He got temporary bail on January 16, 2017, but the case against him remains.[15] The police have not finished their report.[3]
On January 5, 2017, Dewan Atiqur Rahman Akhi was arrested. He got bail on November 6, 2017.[16]
Reactions
changeThe Bangladesh Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian Unity Council condemned the violence. Their leader, Rana Dasgupta, said this attack showed that the government’s promise to stop such violence was weak. He demanded action.[12]
The Awami League faced criticism because their member, Akhi, was involved. The government suspended him from his post on January 23, 2017, but he later got his position back.[14] In 2021, despite his involvement, Akhi, Md. Akhtar Mia, and Abul Hashem were chosen as candidates for local elections by the Awami League. However, after much criticism, Akhi and Hashem lost their nominations on October 13, 2021.[17]
References
changeCitations
change- ↑ "Nasirnagar attacks driving away Hindus | Dhaka Tribune". Dhaka Tribune. 2017-10-10. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ "Rampage over Hindus in B'baria". The Daily Star. 2016-10-30. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Rasraj is still an accused" রসরাজ আজও আসামি. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ ভুয়া খবর ঘিরে বাংলাদেশে পাঁচটি বড় ঘটনা [Five major incidents in Bangladesh surrounding fake news]. BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2021-10-16. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ ধর্ম নিয়ে সহিংসতা উস্কে দেয়া এতো সহজ কেন? [Why is it so easy to incite violence over religion?]. BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). 2019-10-29. Archived from the original on 2024-09-11. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ ধর্ম অবমাননার ‘সাজানো’ অভিযোগ – DW – 07.11.2016 ['Fake' accusation of insulting religion]. Deutsche Welle (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2024-07-12. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ Manik, Julfikar Ali; Barry, Ellen (2016-11-02). "Hindu Temples and Homes in Bangladesh Are Attacked by Muslim Crowds". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2018-12-30. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ "Nasirnagar attacks driving away Hindus". Dhaka Tribune. Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ ব্রাহ্মণবাড়িয়ায় বাদ যায়নি মন্দিরও [Attacks on temples were not excluded in Brahmanbaria either]. ব্রাহ্মণবাড়িয়ায় বাদ যায়নি মন্দিরও (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ Manik, Julfikar Ali; Barry, Ellen (2016-11-06). "Arson and Vandalism Rattle Hindu Communities in Bangladesh". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 2024-01-04. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ মন্ত্রী ছায়েদুল হকের পদত্যাগের দাবিতে প্রতিবাদমুখর ফেসবুক [Facebook protests demanding Minister Sayedul Haque's resignation]. Bangla Tribune (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2022-01-11. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 নাসিরনগরে হিন্দু বাড়িঘরে ভাঙচুর-লুটপাট [Hindu houses vandalized and looted in Nasirnagar]. Prothomalo (in Bengali). 2016-10-30. Archived from the original on 2020-11-09. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ আমি জীবনে কাউকে 'মালাউন' বলিনি: ছায়েদুল হক [I have never called anyone 'Malaun' in my life: Sayedul Haque]. BBC News বাংলা (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2022-06-30. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Hridoy, Masuk (2021-10-13). নাসিরনগরে সাম্প্রদায়িক হামলায় অভিযুক্ত ৩ জনকে আ. লীগের মনোনয়ন [Awami League nominates 3 accused in Nasirnagar communal attack]. The Daily Star Bangla. Archived from the original on 2023-03-16. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ কেমন আছেন সেই রসরাজ? [How is that Rasaraj?]. Manabjamin. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ "Nasirnagar communal attack: 3 police reports in a month, nothing on the motive". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
- ↑ মন্দিরে হামলাকারী দুই আসামির মনোনয়ন বাতিল [Nominations of two temple attack accused cancelled]. Daily Nayadiganta (নয়া দিগন্ত) (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 2021-10-30. Retrieved 2025-01-05.