In a series of attacks on a Buddhist locality in Ramu on 29 and 30 September 2012 temples were razed to the ground, statues and artifacts were destroyed. The media reported in detail on why the incident occurred, how it started and how it ended. We do not want any repeat of such violence. I was an eyewitness of the incident, a victim. It's been two years since then and the people of Ramu remember that day with deep sadness.
Over these past two years security has been stepped up for the affected people, the damaged temples have been repaired and renovated and other positive action has been taken. The government has shown full sympathy in this regard. Ministers, deputy ministers and many senior officials have inspected the area.
The honourable president and prime minister visited Ramu. Former prime minister Khaleda Zia and senior leaders of her party visited Ramu too, reassuring the victims of their support and empathy. The people of the country, civil society, writers, intellectuals, regardless of religion, caste, creed or ideology, all stood beside the people of Ramu. The media has played a commendable role. In short, everyone came forward and I express my deep gratitude and respect towards them and towards the non-communal mindset of the people.
Two
Cases, arrests and inquiry reports followed the attacks. However, there have been no hearings or verdict, let alone punishment.
A total of 19 cases were filed after the incident and over 15,000 people were accused. Over 500 were detained, though most of them have been released through various means. When the full-scale arrests were taking place, the communal quarters were forced to step back a bit or else they may have continued on their tirade.
Three
Many untoward communal incidents have taken place during the four years of Bangladesh independence. Unfortunately the state took no tangible measures or legal action to ensure that such occurrences were not repeated. The big political parties simply played their blame games and the proponents of violence remain safe and sound.
When the violence took place in Ramu, the home minister Mohiuddin Khan Alamgir came the next day, inspected the place and talked to the people. But when he came back to Dhaka, he told the media, "Local BNP lawmaker Lutfur Rahman Kajal is behind the incident." If that was so, how come the entire state machinery could take no action against a single member of parliament?
On a TV talk show he said that the Ramu incident was an isolated one. Then again he said it was pre-planned.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina came to Ramu on 8 October 2012. It was obvious that the Ramu incident was an embarrassment to her. Unfortunately she repeated almost the same words of the home minister, continuing the mud-slinging with the political opposition.
Former prime minister Khaleda Zia came to Ramu on 10 November 2012 and declared that BNP was not involved in the incident. Jamaat-e-Islami declared officially that no one of Jamaat was involved. Shibir said the same. Perhaps the Rohingyas are the only ones who didn't give a statement, maybe because they are not legal citizens of the country.
The home ministry's report stated that it had not been possible to determine who had prepared this plan or where and how it was devised. I do not think the Ramu violence was perpetrated by any partisan ideology.
Pragyananda Bhikkhu: Assistant Director, Seema Buddha Bihar, Ramu
(Translated and abridged)