Decline of Hindu population is a matter of grave concern – Gobinda Pramanik

Sept. 7, 2012 - PRLog -- Advocate Gobinda Chandra Pramanik, secretary general of 'Jatiyo Hindu Mohajote' [National Hindu Grand Alliance] in Bangladesh said, decline of Hindu population in the country has already become a matter of grave concern. Talking to Weekly Blitz, Advocate Gobinda said, "We have always been given assurances by all the governments in Bangladesh since independence of protecting the rights of the Hindus as well as other religious minorities in the country. But, unfortunately, most of the governments, instead of keeping promise – had shown us step-motherly behavior."
He said, "Hundreds and thousands of Hindus sacrificed their lives while Hindu mothers and sisters sacrificed their honor during the war of independence of this country. We love this country and certainly have the right to enjoy equal status of all other citizen of Bangladesh, irrespective of religion or sect."
Expressing dissatisfaction at the delay in returning the Hindu properties, which were confiscated by the Pakistani regime under an oppressive law titled 'Enemy Property Act', which was subsequently named as 'Vested Property Act', Gobinda said, "This hated black law needs to be immediately cancelled and the government should initiate in recovering Hindu properties from illegal possession of different individuals around the country and hand them over to the genuine Hindu owners."
He said, "The current government led by Bangladesh Awami League has made pledges of protecting our rights, and we believe, the Prime Minister will take immediately measures in ensuring that Hindus will get their properties returned from illegal occupation soon."
The leader of the National Hindu Grand Alliance demanded formation of a separate ministry for the religious minorities in Bangladesh and called upon the legislators in brining necessary bills in the parliament in this regard. He also demanded allocating reserved seats in the National Parliament for the religious minorities.
He said, "We need to send our representatives in the parliament to protect our rights and speak in favor of the religious minorities. The government should respect our justified demand and create ten percent reserve seats in the parliament for the representatives of the religious minorities."
Bringing the issue of Ahmadiya religious minority group, Advocate Gobinda Chandra Pramanik said, "The previous government imposed illogical ban on the religious books of the Ahmadiya Muslim Jamaat in Bangladesh. Such decision was strongly criticized at home and abroad. We now ask the government to immediately lift all such bans on the publications of the Ahmadiya Muslim Jamaat."
Commenting on abduction and forceful conversion of Hindus in Bangladesh, Advocate Gobinda said, "Muslim missionaries, NGOs and radical Muslim clerics are engaged in giving instigation to Muslims in abducting mainly Hindu girls and females, thus forcibly converting them into Islam. The clergies are giving evil motivation to the Muslims by saying that, Islam promises heaven and unending rewards after death for those who can bring any non-Muslim into Islam.
He called upon Hindus around the world to raise voice against such abduction and forceful conversion of Hindus into Islam. He said, similar notoriety is also taking place in most of the Muslim nations and especially such cases are alarmingly high in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
The National Hindu Grand Alliance leader also pointed to activities of some Christian missionaries and NGOs, who are engaged in converting Hindus into Christianity through numerous traps and sought international intervention in stopping such illegal and immoral practices.
It may be mentioned here that, National Hindu Grand Alliance has been actively working in protecting rights of Hindus in Bangladesh as well as voicing against persecution of the Hindus and religious minorities. It is also providing legal assistance to the Hindus and Hindu families. The organization has its branches throughout the country participated by Hindus from various sects and classes.