Attack on Buddhist temples -Extremists must be defeated by Editorial

What happened in Ramu and some other areas in Chittagong must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. The outrage that was created by people burning down Buddhist temples and houses belies the long tradition of harmonious and peaceful coexistence between people of various creeds in Bangladesh. Religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence are not only an article of our people it is also enshrined in the Constitution of Bangladesh.

The regrettable incident has struck at the very ethos and the underlying essence of our long religio-cultural tradition. Whatever may have been the causative factor, the violent reaction seems to have been very well orchestrated. We believe that those who believe in the fundamental message of Islam would have exercised more temperance in addressing an issue centering on an anti-Islam picture on Facebook.

We would not be remiss in suggesting that, given that Rangamati episode being still fresh in our minds, the incidents should have been anticipated in areas with concentration of ethnic and religious minorities, and preempted by the law enforcing agencies. We cannot put it past the agent provocateurs to jump at the slightest opportunity to exploit the sentiments of the people for their ultimate ends. And this is where the saner elements of the society must come together cutting across religious or party lines to thwart the design of the troublemakers.

We are hearing different allegations being aired by different quarters, which we hope would be either confirmed or disproved after inquiry. What however, we find regrettable is the fact that the two parties have chosen to launch broadsides on each other accusing of complicity in the matter. It is regrettable that the Home minister would find it appropriate to hurl allegations even before the enquiry has started against the local MP who belongs to the BNP. On the other hand accusations made by the leader of the opposition based on hearsay that the ruling party elements were at the forefront of the attacks is equally unwarranted. Will these help an objective inquiry?

We must impress upon the need for and quick and objective inquiry to identify the perpetrators, who must be given the harshest punishment, as well as the role of the local leaders to stop the situation from deteriorating.

We express our unequivocal condemnation of the incident.