In past ten years, in comparing to the growth of the total population
in Bangladesh, there is an alarming decrease of Hindu population in the
country. According to statistics available with the government sources,
the proportionate decrease in Hindu population is around nine hundred
thousand. The statistics show almost elimination of Hindu population in
fifteen districts in the country. Most of the Hindu families in those
districts were forced to leave the country. In 2001, the total number of
Hindu population in Bangladesh was 116.83 million, while the population
was expected to be 132 million in 2011. But the latest statistics
available with the government shows the total number of Hindu population
at 123 million, which is nine hundred thousand less than the expected
rate of growth. Currently 8.5 percent of the total population of
Bangladesh is Hindus, while in 2001, it was 9.2 percent. The proportion
of Christian, Buddhist and other religious minority population did not
see any decline in the past. Currently the total number of Muslim
population in Bangladesh is 90.4 percent. The district-wise statistics
of population sees "huge decline" or "almost elimination" of Hindu
population in fifteen districts, though the statistics terms the decline
of Hindu population as "missing population".
He said, "Though some of the Hindu rights groups are falsely claiming
that the forceful migration of Hindu families had decreased since
Bangladesh Awami League came in power, the reality is actually just the
opposite. Even during this present government, which came in power in
2009, there had been numerous attacks on Hindu families and temples in
the country as well as alarming rise in the forceful abduction and
religious conversion of Hindu girls and boys throughout the country."
Citing example of Gopalganj district in Bangladesh, which is
considered to be the exclusive vote bank of Bangladesh Awami League and
safe heaven for the Hindus, Gobinda Chandra Pramanik said, "In 2001, the
total Hindu population at Gopalganj district was 371,000, while now it
has gone down below fifty thousand. This statistics will prove the fact
of repression on Hindu population even in the district, which is wrongly
considered as 'safe heaven' for the Hindus in Bangladesh."
He said, "The burden of 'Enemy Property Act', which later was changed
into 'Vested Property Act' has already caused hundreds and thousands of
Hindu families in leaving Bangladesh either by selling their properties
at token price or simply abandoning their ancestral properties into the
grips of the greedy Muslim influential figures belonging to Bangladesh
Awami League, Bangladesh Nationalist Party, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami
and Jatiyo Party. Though a large proportion of the Hindu populations
consider Bangladesh Awami League as their own party and almost as
guardians of protecting the rights of Hindus, in the past, very
unfortunately, Awami League never kept its promises in protecting the
Hindus."
Seeking anonymity, a Hindu community leader in Gopalganj district said,
"Bangladesh Awami League though proclaims to be a party totally
committed to protecting rights of Hindus and religious minorities in
Bangladesh, unfortunately their political behavior is no different than
any other political party in Bangladesh. No Hindu has ever been placed
into top most posts in the Central Committee or district level
committees of Bangladesh Awami League. Though it is very unfortunate,
but this is the ground reality."
BY : Salah Uddin Shoaib Choudhury.
