‘They tried to destroy communal harmony’

Those who attack minority communities and spread communalism in the country are inhuman and unpatriotic, said former Dhaka University vice-chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique yesterday.

He made the remark while speaking at a discussion, organised on the occasion of seventh anniversary of the Ramu attack.

Fanatics attacked Buddhist homes and temples in Ramu, Ukhia, Teknaf and Sadar upazila of Cox’s Bazar on September 29 in 2012, following a fake Facebook post about demeaning the Quran.

Yesterday, Ramu Samity in Dhaka -- a civic platform -- organised the discussion at Jatiya Press Club to mark the anniversary.

Speaking at the event, Prof Arefin said it is unthinkable that such an attack can take place in 21st century. “Those who love Bangladesh cannot be involved in such mindless communal attack,” he said.

Culprits tried to destroy the country’s communal harmony, which is disgraceful, Prof Arefin added. He urged people who believe in communal ideologies to correct themselves and follow the path of self-purification.

Fanibhushan Sharma, founding president of the Samity, said people of various communities lived in harmony in Ramu for years.

“Ramu was a symbol of communal harmony, but the attack put a stain on that,” he said.

“We want to forget the incident and bring back peace. If we remember it frequently, it will just ruin our inner peace,” Fanibhushan added.

Poet Mohammad Nurul Huda, Ramu Samity Senior Vice-President Mafruha Sultana and Bangladesh Buddhist Federation General Secretary Bhikkhu Sunandapriya also spoke at the programme.