increasing the influence of Arabi and Urdu. In Bangladesh, Sanskrit is considered
associated with Hindu literatures.
As a result, Bengali language in Bangladesh has developed a strong influence of
Arabian words. Such changes in language itself threatens the very cultural existence
of other religious minorities in the country as their mother tongue itself has been
manipulated to include influence of words that coincide with Islamic culture and
tradition.
In addition to the changes of Bengali language, the Syllabus in the secondary level
of education curriculum has been manipulated giving it communal tune while
ignoring historical significance and contribution of religious minorities in literature as
well in country’s history.
In fact the very establishment of secular education system is being threatened due
to integrating Islamic history, culture and tradition to the curriculum of the higher
education system.
Many of the minority institutions that used to provide needed cultural studies for the
religious minority groups has been fallen victim of black law such as vested property
act.
The Sanskrit and Hindu religious University (Saraswata Samaj ) in Dhaka was in
operation before independence of Bangladesh in 1971, has been closed after the
independence. It’s land and assets was confiscated by the government of
Bangladesh in a bid to wipe out Hindu educational system.
There has been allegation that minority candidates of Bangladesh Civil Service
exam are directly discriminated. Despite their outstanding result, those candidates
are deprived of deserved placements. Until today, no public document has been
released depicting the result of minority candidates and their placement since 1972.
The PSC (Public Service Commission) and Ministry of Establishment have thus far
reluctant to reveal minority representation in civil service exam or placement thereof.
Many media and eye witness reports alleged that PSC members, government
personnel and Bangladesh Civil Service examinees have intentionally instigated
verbal abuses towards minority candidates. They have even manipulated the exam
performance by penciling poor marks in the viva voce. The most severe incidents
were reported during 22nd to 27th BCS exams. According to a former member, a
Hindu examinee stood first in the written test of 22nd BCS examination, but finally
this candidate was dropped from the merit list because he failed to get pass marks
in the viva voce. In order to understand the discriminations and irregularities in the
BCS examinations, especially since 1991, the written and viva voce marks of the
minority examinees that failed may be compared with the successful Muslims
examinees." (The Daily Star, 03 July.07)
Another major threat to regular education system is the acceptance of Madrasa
based education as the equivalent of regular education system. During 2001 to
2006, the then ruling party have deployed Madrasa educated person to head
various government institution undermining the regular education system.
Government has invested heavily in madrasa education then in regular education
system and thus creating a new generation of government officials and section of
the population who are to look for solution to all problem based upon those
prescribe in Islamic religious books. Therefore, there is a dire need to strengthen