Muhammad Yunus seeks help of religious leaders

Bangladesh’s interim government head, Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday sought the cooperation of religious leaders in gathering accurate information about attacks on minorities and ensuring that the perpetrators are brought to justice, amid reports of assaults on Hindus in the country. Speaking at a meeting with religious leaders in Bangladesh, Chief Adviser Yunus said the issue of attacks on minorities had resurfaced, and there was a discrepancy between the reality and the news published by foreign media. “We want to know the accurate information and establish a process for obtaining it,” he was quoted as saying by the state-run BSS news agency. Yunus did not specify which “foreign” media he was referring to, but several of his colleagues in the interim cabinet and aides have accused some sections of the Indian media of spreading misleading information, particularly regarding the persecution of the Hindu community. Addressing the meeting, which was attended by leaders from the Muslim, Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist communities, Yunus explained that he had convened the meeting because “several questions arose in my mind seeing the (foreign) media reports and hearing what people are saying.” He sought the cooperation and suggestions of the religious leaders in collecting “accurate information” and addressing the issue. “There is no difference between our goals. Please tell us how we can obtain the correct information. Sometimes, relying on official information is of no use. Officials often say what will please their superiors, avoiding the truth,” he said. Yunus emphasised that all citizens of Bangladesh have equal rights and that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure these rights are upheld. If any attack on minorities occurs in the country, information must be collected immediately, and the perpetrators must be brought to justice.