(Slide 5) Victims of the Destruction in .Shundargoni
Villager's houses were burnt to the ground, their temples destroyed. There was destruction to hair
salons, coffee shops and small provision stores. Tailor's sewing machines were damaged beyond
repair.
Motorcycles were torched. Banana plantations were flattened. Ponds full of fish were poisoned.
There is distrust with government as villagers cry for justice has not been acted upon.
Following the attacks, teenage girls have stopped going out in fear of being easy targets; girls are too
afraid to go to school. During my visit, parents did not allow their daughters to come for this gathering.
Picture 1: Ganesh Sarkar
Picture
2:
Shapon.Kumar
Picture 3: Belarani Das
Picture 4: Village elder, Shobudh Das was kicked to the ground and lost several teeth.
(Slide 6) Victims of Shundargoni
Islamic extremists attack local Hindus celebrating Lakshmi Puja injuring 20 including a heavily pregnant
lady (Tulsi Rani), causing the death of her unborn first child and making her infertile, she can never be a
mother again.
(Slide 7) Justice for Minorities, Justice for Women
Rather than charity, all villagers want is justice. I would like to see some justice in my lifetime
for these acts of violence.
Since 1990, there have been no judicial trials for any of the atrocities afflicted on minorities. Yes 1990
is when we can track back to but I can probably say with some conviction, that since liberation in 1971
in the last 44 years, thousands of deities and temples have been destroyed but not a single perpetrator
were punished or prosecuted.
Justice is promised but is yet to be delivered.
Like previous years again and again, in October and November temples demolished and • numerous
Hindu statues destroyed during Durga Puja.
Secularism in Bangladesh is under serious thrept.